What is EAN number 8?
EAN-8 (which has 8 digits) is used for smaller sized packages, on which an EAN-13 code (which has 13 digits) will not fit.
Specifications:
EAN-8 barcode's 8 digits are split into two sets of four each. It has two flag digits, which indicate the country where the barcode was issued. Then there are five data digits, which briefly identify the product, followed finally by a check number.
Image-based barcode readers decode 1-D and 2-D codes quickly and reliably. The EAN-8 barcode is the condensed version of the EAN-13 barcode, the standard retail product identifier in Europe and other points abroad. Though EAN stands for European Article Number, it was renamed the International Article Number.
What are EAN-8 add-on symbols?
The Add-On Symbols were designed to encode supplementary information of the main EAN-8 barcode image on periodicals, hardback, and paperback books. Like EAN-13, EAN-8 supplement data can be 2 or 5 digits. And the human readable text should be above the barcode image.
What is an EAN number?
The most commonly used EAN standard is the thirteen-digit EAN-13, a superset of the original 12-digit Universal Product Code (UPC-A) standard developed in 1970 by George J. Laurer. An EAN-13 number includes a 3-digit GS1 prefix
What are EAN-13 manufacturer codes?
EAN-13 uses what are called "variable-length manufacturer codes". Assigning fixed-length 5-digit manufacturer codes, as the UCC has done until recently, means that each manufacturer can have up to 99,999 product codes.
An EAN8 barcode is an eight-digit barcode that contains information about a product such as its manufacturer, product number, and price. It is a subset of the larger EAN (European Article Number) system and is used primarily for small products that do not have enough space for a larger barcode.
An EAN8 barcode, also known as an International Article Number 8, is a type of barcode used to identify products and their corresponding information. The EAN8 barcode is commonly used in retail stores for products such as candy bars, and other small items. EAN8 barcode is an eight-digit barcode that contains information about a product such as its manufacturer, product number, and price. EAN-13 barcodes preferred barcode type for retail products because they can encode more information and are more widely accepted.
An EAN8 barcode is an eight-digit barcode that contains information about a product such as its manufacturer, product number, and price. It is a subset of the larger EAN (European Article Number) system and is used primarily for small products that do not have enough space for a larger barcode. In this article, we will explain what an EAN8 barcode is, how it works, and its applications in the retail industry.
How does an EAN8 barcode work?
❖ The EAN8 barcode works by encoding a set of eight numbers into a series of bars and spaces of varying widths. The barcode scanner reads the bars and spaces using a light source and converts the pattern into the corresponding numbers, which are then sent to a computer or point of sale (POS) system for processing.
❖ Each EAN8 barcode begins with a start character, which is a series of three bars and three spaces, and ends with a stop character, which is a single bar and space. The remaining six digits in the barcode represent the product code, which is assigned by the manufacturer and uniquely identifies the product.
❖ The EAN8 barcode also includes a check digit, which is used to verify the accuracy of the barcode. The check digit is calculated by adding up the first seven digits of the barcode and multiplying the sum by three. The remainder after dividing the total by 10 is then subtracted from 10 to obtain the check digit.
Advantages of EAN-8 Barcodes:
Space-saving: One of the main advantages of EAN-8 barcodes is their small size. This makes them ideal for smaller products, where space is at a premium.
Cost-effective: EAN-8 barcodes are also cost-effective, as they require less space and fewer materials than larger barcode types. This can help companies save money on labeling and packaging costs.
Easy to read: EAN-8 barcodes are easy to read using barcode scanners, which are widely available and can be used to quickly and accurately read the barcode information.
Disadvantages of EAN-8 Barcodes:
Limited information: EAN-8 barcodes can only encode eight digits, which limits the amount of information that can be included on the barcode. This can be a disadvantage for companies that need to include more information on their products.
Limited scanning distance: EAN-8 barcodes may have a shorter scanning distance than larger barcode types, which can make them less suitable for use in larger retail environments.
The EAN-8 barcode is a type of barcode that is used to encode product information, such as a product's unique identification number. The barcode is made up of a series of bars and spaces that encode the information in a specific format. The length of an EAN-8 barcode is a critical component of the format, as it determines the amount of information that can be encoded in the barcode.
Minimum Length of EAN-8 Barcode:
🟆 The minimum length of an EAN-8 barcode is 8 digits. The barcode is called EAN-8 because it encodes 8 digits of information. The first 7 digits of the barcode are used to encode the product identification number, while the last digit is used as a checksum to ensure the accuracy of the barcode.
🟆 It is important to note that the 8-digit format of the EAN-8 barcode is fixed, and cannot be changed. This means that all EAN-8 barcodes must encode exactly 8 digits of information, and cannot be shortened or lengthened.
Maximum Length of EAN-8 Barcode:
🟆 The maximum length of an EAN-8 barcode is also 8 digits. As mentioned above, the EAN-8 barcode is fixed at 8 digits, and cannot be lengthened or shortened. This means that the maximum amount of information that can be encoded in an EAN-8 barcode is 8 digits.
🟆 While the EAN-8 barcode is limited to 8 digits of information, there are other types of barcodes that can encode more information. For example, the EAN-13 barcode can encode up to 13 digits of information, while the UPC-A barcode can encode up to 12 digits of information.
Limited Data Capacity
One of the primary limitations of using EAN-8 barcodes is their limited data capacity. EAN-8 barcodes can only encode eight digits, which limits the amount of information that can be included in the barcode. This can be a significant limitation in applications where more detailed information needs to be encoded, such as expiration dates or lot numbers.
To address this limitation, businesses may need to use alternative technologies, such as 2D barcodes or RFID, which offer greater data capacity and more flexibility in terms of the information that can be encoded.
Low Level of Security
Another limitation of using EAN-8 barcodes is their low level of security. EAN-8 barcodes are relatively easy to replicate or duplicate, which can create issues with product authenticity and counterfeiting. This can be a particular concern in industries such as pharmaceuticals or luxury goods, where counterfeit products can pose a significant risk to consumer health and safety, as well as brand reputation.
To address this limitation, businesses may need to use additional security measures, such as tamper-evident packaging or serialized codes, to help protect against counterfeiting and ensure product authenticity.
Limited Scanning Range
Another limitation of using EAN-8 barcodes is their limited scanning range. EAN-8 barcodes require a relatively close proximity to the scanner in order to be read accurately, which can be a limitation in applications where products need to be scanned from a distance.
To address this limitation, businesses may need to use alternative technologies, such as RFID or Bluetooth, which offer greater scanning range and more flexibility in terms of the scanning environment.
Environmental Factors
Another limitation of using EAN-8 barcodes is the potential impact of environmental factors on the readability of the barcode. Factors such as dirt, dust, or moisture can affect the readability of the barcode, which can create issues with product identification and tracking.
To address this limitation, businesses may need to use barcode labels that are specifically designed for harsh environments, such as weather-resistant or chemical-resistant labels.
Compatibility Issues
Another limitation of using EAN-8 barcodes is the potential for compatibility issues with other systems or technologies. While EAN-8 barcodes are widely recognized and accepted in the global marketplace, there may be instances where compatibility issues arise with specific systems or equipment.
To address this limitation, businesses may need to ensure that their barcode labels are compatible with the systems and equipment they are using, and may need to use alternative technologies, such as RFID, in cases where compatibility issues cannot be resolved.
EAN-8 is a linear barcode, derived from EAN-13. It is issued for small packaged products when a normal EAN-13 barcode image would be too large. EAN-8 is also known as European Article Number 8, EAN-8 Supplement 5/Five-digit Add-On, EAN-8 Supplement 2/Two-digit Add-On, EAN-8+5, EAN-8+2, EAN8, EAN8+5, EAN13+2, UPC-8, GTIN-8, GS1-8, EAN/UCC-8.
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EAN-8 shares structure similarity with EAN-13.
EAN-8 Barcode Size Setting
As for barcode size, two factors should be taken into consideration, namely, image width and height. EAN-8 image width and height can be computed from specific expressions. To make things easier, our EAN-8 generating components can do this for you according to your property settings.
Please obtain more information from EAN-8 size setting instruction.
EAN-8 Valid Data Scope
Like EAN-13, EAN-8 also has character sets A, B, C, and it is capable of encoding:
Numeric digits: 0 to 9
EAN-8 Add-On or Supplement Data
The Add-On Symbols were designed to encode supplementary information of the main EAN-8 barcode image on periodicals, hardback, and paperback books. Like EAN-13, EAN-8 supplement data can be 2 or 5 digits. And the human readable text should be above the barcode image.
W : the width of EAN-8 barcode image, including quiet zones.
X : the width of EAN-8 narrowest bar; X min = 1 pixel.
C : the number of EAN-8 encoded data characters, including the check digit; C =8.
Q : the width of the quiet zone; Q > = 7X; Q (L) = 7X, Q (R) = 7X.
Barcode Width of EAN-8
Defined by GS1 specification, EAN-8 barcode width (W, measured in pixel), can be simply computed.
If EAN-8 barcode has no supplement data, the expression is:
W = ( C * 7 + 11 ) X + 2Q // C = 8, Q (L) = 7X, Q (R) = 7X.
= ( 8 * 7 + 11 ) X + 7X + 7X
= 67X + 14X
= 81X
W min = 81X // X = 1
= 81 pixel
If a Two-digit Add-On is included in EAN-8, the whole barcode image width including the minimum quiet zones is 106X. W min = 106 pixel.
If a Five-digit Add-On is included in EAN-8, the whole barcode image width including the minimum quiet zones is 133X. W min = 133 pixel.
Barcode Height of EAN-8
GS1 specification specifies that EAN-8 barcode height, including the human readable text, should be at the nominal size of 21.3 millimeters (0.8 inch). And the human readable text is 2.75 millimeters. In addition, the height of any two-digit or five-digit Add-On Symbol used, including the human readable text, must be within the image height dimensions of the primary barcode.
However, there is no need to worry about how to generate an EAN-8 barcode meeting the above requirements. Our EAN-8 barcode generators will automatically adjust image height according to the specification. And customers can control barcode image height through Top and Bottom Margin settings.
Setting EAN-8 Barcode Size in C#
Basic information you should know
In GS1 specification, EAN-8 barcode width, W (measured in pixel), can be computed as below.
EAN-8 barcode with no Add-On barcode:
W min = ( C * 7 + 11 ) X + 2Q // C = 8, Q (L) = 7X, Q (R) = 7X.
= ( 8 * 7 + 11 ) X + 7X + 7X
= 67X + 14X
= 81X
As for EAN-8 barcode height, our generators will automatically adjust it in accordance with GS1 specification. Meanwhile, it is user-defined as well, and customers may set it through Top and Bottom Margin settings.
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