The ten mistakes
- Shrinking the barcode until it fits. Narrow elements can fall below the printer/scanner capability.
- Ignoring quiet zones. Text, borders or package graphics crowd the symbol.
- Using excessive darkness. Bars grow and narrow spaces close.
- Printing too fast. Edge definition and energy transfer can suffer.
- Choosing ribbon and media independently. The combination determines transfer and durability.
- Accepting repeatable white lines. A dirty or failed printhead dot can cut through every symbol.
- Stretching barcode artwork. Non-proportional scaling changes element geometry.
- Testing only one label. A roll or batch can vary.
- Testing only one scanner. A forgiving scanner can hide marginal quality.
- Treating a scan as verification. Decode success and measured print quality answer different questions.
Build a repeatable print process
Record the printer model, DPI, speed, darkness, media, ribbon, barcode software settings and approved dimensions. When a problem appears, compare the current setup to the qualified setup before making random adjustments.
Go deeper
Last reviewed: September 2026 · Educational guidance; confirm application-specific requirements with the applicable standard or trading partner.