Softmatic BarcodePlus

Softmatic BarcodePlus creates all common linear and 2D barcode symbologies. Softmatic BarcodePlus exports to many vector and raster formats. Use the codes in all popular graphics design and DTP applications (like Illustrator, Indesign, QuarkXPress, Corel Draw, Xara etc.) as well as spreadsheets, word processors or databases.

This app is very easy to use and will prevent you from creating invalid codes. Nevertheless, we recommended that you invest a few minutes to make yourself familiar with the software.

Should you encounter problems or have further questions regarding the creation and use of bar codes, please contact us.

All screenshots below show the Windows version of the software. The Mac version looks identical and has the same set of features.

Current version:

Windows: V4
Mac: V4

System requirements:

macOS 10.7 or higher
Windows 10 or higher

Supported barcode symbologies:

Retail barcodes: EAN 8, EAN 13, EAN 13 with Add On, ISBN 10 / 13 with Add On, UPC-A, UPC-E, Code 128 GS1
Pharmaceutical codes: PZN 7 / PZN 8, Laetus
Warehousing: Code 39, Code 128, Code 2/5 Industrial, Code 2/5 Interleaved, Codabar, ITF-14
2D area matrix codes: Datamatrix, Aztec, QR, PDF417
Databar GS1: Expanded, Expanded Stacked, Omnidirectional, Omnidirectional Stacked, Stacked, Truncated, Limited

Note: EAN 13 is referred to by many other names, e.g. JAN, EAN 99, EAN Velocity, etc.. All those codes are ordinary EAN 13.

Installation on a Windows PC

Run setup.exe and follow the instructions on the screen. After the installer has finished, launch the app by double-clicking the icon (pictured left).

Right after installation the software runs in trial mode. After entering your license key the app will be fully functional. Make sure to actually type the key in, don't paste it. After entering the last sequence the key will be verified online. Please make sure that the PC is connected to the Internet.

Installation on a Mac

If you purchased through our website:

Unzip the archive you downloaded and double-click the DMG file within. When the DMG is mounted, drag the icon to your applications folder. The software starts in trial mode. After entering your license key the app will be fully functional. Make sure to actually type the key in, don't paste it. After entering the last sequence the key will be verified online. Please make sure that the Mac is connected to the Internet.

If you purchased through the App Store:

A dedicated installation or unlocking of the software is not required. After downloading the app from the App Store, simply launch it by clicking the icon (pictured left).

Default settings

With the first launch of the software, the following settings are used:

Code type: EAN 13
EAN Size: SC6
EAN Truncation: 0
Data to encode: 401234567890
Export format: EPS
Bounding box: Yes
Bar width reduction: 0

The program window at the first launch:

All settings you make in the software are maintained between sessions. Each time you launch the app it will start exactly where you left it the last time.

Please note that not all settings are available for all codes. For example, a UPC code is always used with a check digit. Hence, the check digit control is disabled for this barcode symbology.

Usage

Creating barcodes typically works in four steps:

1. Choose barcode type
2. Enter data to encode and set barcode options
3. Choose export format and options
4. Save barcode to file

Choose barcode type

Choose the desired barcode type from the list of available codes:

Code EAN 8
Code EAN 13
Code ISBN 10
Code ISBN 13
Code UPC-A
Code UPC-E
Code 128
Code 128 GS1 / EAN / UCC
Code 2/5 Interleaved
Code 2/5 Industrial
Code ITF-14
Code 39 / 39 Extended
PZN 7/8 (Pharma code)
Laetus (Pharma code)
Codabar
Datamatrix (2D)
PDF417 (2D)
QR Code (2D)
Aztec Code (2D)
Databar GS1

Selecting Databar will also enable selection of a Databar sub type.

If you choose a code type that is incompatible with the given data, an error message is displayed.

Example: An invalid sequence of digits for EAN 13:

Enter the data to encode and set barcode options

After choosing the barcode type, enter the data to be encoded and make the appropriate settings:

SymbologyDataSettingsRemarks
EAN 87 or 8 digitsEAN size, truncation
EAN 1312 or 13 digitsEAN size, truncation, addon, sentinel*
ISBN 10ISBN 10 Nr., e.g. 1-123-12345-XEAN size, truncation, addon, sentinel*
ISBN 13ISBN 13 Nr., e.g. 978-1-123-12345-6EAN size, truncation, addon, sentinel*
UPC-A11 or 12 digitsEAN size, truncation, addon*
UPC-E7 or 8 digitsEAN size, truncationFirst digit must be a "0" or "1"
Code 128Digits, letters, special chars (max. 40 chars) **Module width, -heightAutomatic selection of Code 128 sub types A, B, C
Code 128 GS1/EAN/UCCDigits, letters, parenthesized application identifier (max. 40 chars)Module width, -heightAutomatic selection of Code 128 sub types A, B, C

Enter your data including application identifiers, e.g. (01)1234567890. The software will automatically insert all required FNC1 symbols.
Code 2/5 InterleavedDigits 0-9 (max. 40 digits) Module width, -height, ratio, check digit
Code 2/5 IndustrialDigits 0-9 (max. 40 digits)Module width, -height, ratio, check digit
Code ITF-14Digits 0-9 (exactly 14 digits)Module width, -height, ratioYou must provide a complete 14-digit GTIN including the GTIN check digit. Software adds "bearer bar". Recommended settings: Module width: 0.51-1.02mm, -height: 32mm, ratio: 2.5
Code 39 / 39 ExtendedDigits, letters (max. 40 chars)Module width, -height, ratio, check digitAutomatic selection of Code 39 / Code 39 Extended
PZN 7/87 or 8 DigitsModule width, -height, ratioSoftware will assemble PZN. Recommended settings: Module width: 0.25mm, -height: 8-20mm, ratio: 2.5
LaetusDigits 0-9, max. value 131070Module width, -height
CodabarDigits 0-9 (max. 40 chars)Module width, -height
DatamatrixUp to 2000 chars **Module widthSquare modules, width = height
PDF 417Up to 2000 chars **Module widthModule ratio height : width = 3 : 1
QRUp to 2000 chars **Module widthSquare modules, width = height
AztecUp to 2000 chars **Module widthSquare modules, width = height
DatabarDepends on sub type
   Omnidir.13- or 14-digit GTINModule width and -height
   Omnidir. Stacked13- or 14-digit GTINModule width and -height
   ExpandedUp to 41 letters or 74 digitsModule width and -height
   Expanded StackedUp to 41 letters or 74 digitsModule width and -height, symbols per row
   Truncated13- or 14-digit GTINModule width and -height
   Stacked13- or 14-digit GTINModule width and -height
   Limited13- or 14-digit GTINModule width and -height

To update the preview, hit <Enter> after you entered your data.

* The EAN 13, ISBN 10 und ISBN 13 can carry a satellite, or "add on", barcode. This add on can encode two or five digits.

EAN/UPC height is determined by the value for "Truncation". This value is percentage based, i.e. if you enter "50" here the code will have half the standard height. Remember to hit return after entering a value to update the preview.

** To encode non-printable characters, use the tilde, followed by the three digit ASCII code of the character. E.g., to encode a TAB, use ~009. Special characters like german umlauts or accented characters can be encoded directly into the available 2D symbologies. Make sure that your barcode scanner has been set up correctly to transmit that kind of data.

Note: With EAN family codes (UPC, EAN, ISBN), the software will always recalculate the respective check digit for the selected code. For example, when using EAN 13, it doesn't matter if you enter 12 or 13 digits. If it's 12, the software will append the check digit, if it's 13 the software will overwrite the last digit with the check digit. This behavior is by design to prevent data entry errors and to guarantee that a valid symbol is created.

Notes regarding barcode settings

SettingValue rangeRemarks
EAN SizeSC0 - SC9All retail barcodes, SC2 is the standard size
EAN Truncation0 - 80%Min. height for EAN family codes is 15mm (5/8")
Light Margin IndicatorYes / NoAka. sentinel, EAN 13 / ISBN only
Symbols per Row4 - 20Databar Expanded Stacked only
Check digitYes / NoCode 2/5 family and Code 39 only
Module width0.1 - 2mmWidth of the narrowest bar. Code 2/5, ITF-14, Code 39, Code 128, PZN, Codabar, Databar, Laetus, all 2D Codes only
Modul height5 - 100mmHeight of the code not counting the readable text. Code 2/5, ITF-14, Code 39, Code 128, PZN, Codabar, Databar, Laetus only
Ratio2.0 - 3.0Code 2/5, Code 39, PZN, Codabar only
Readable textYes / NoAll codes, except Laetus, 2D Codes (always No) and PZN, retail codes (always Yes) *
Readable fontDrop down listAll codes, except Laetus, 2D codes and retail codes *
Readable font sizeDrop down listAll codes, except Laetus, 2D codes and retail codes *
Width reduction0 - 50%see below
Bounding Box MarkerYes / Nosee below

* With EAN/UPC, the font is set to Helvetica (Mac) or Arial (Win), respectively. The size of the human readable text is determined by the software to ensure that the text fits under the barcode. All retail codes are always created with human readable text.

Choose export format

Choose the desired export format from the list of available formats:
  • EPS (Vector)
  • SVG (Vector)
  • TIFF (Raster)
  • PNG (Raster)
  • JPEG (Raster)
Selecting a raster format will also allow you to specify an output resolution. With EAN family codes the minimum recommended resolution is 300 dpi. In most cases 1,200 dpi will be more than sufficient.

If at all possible, prefer vector over raster formats as EPS and SVG are resolution independent and will always result in the best possible output quality. Note that EPS and SVG files do not include the human readable text as outlines. Instead, they reference the selected font. Make sure you have the font available on the computer where the barcode is used eventually.

If the target software doesn't support either format, use TIFF. TIFFs are created in the CMYK color space which is preferred by most print shops. Use PNG for barcodes that are used online or on screen like in a browser window. Use JPEG only as a last resort.

Export options

  • Reduce Width: To compensate for dot gain during printing. Ask your print shop for recommendations.

    Reasonable values:
     
    • Offset printing: 1-2%
    • Laser printing: 1-2%
    • Thermo-, thermotransfer printing: 0%
    • Inkjet printing: Plain paper - 5%, Inkjet paper - 1-2%
    • Pad printing: up to 10%

     
  • Bounding Box marker: Indicates an area around the code that is off limits for other artwork. Recommended, if you send the exported barcode to a third party (designer, print shop etc.).
     
Softmatic BarcodePlus will only create black barcode on white background (with EPS / SVG: transparent background). We generally advise against colored barcodes or black barcodes on a colored background.

Save barcode

Click Save barcode..., to write the barcode to a file. For your convenience, the software will preset the encoded data as the file name.

Reset to Defaults

Should you get lost at some point it's easy to reset the app to the default settings as listed above.

Mac

Select menu Help > Reset Application.

Windows

Right-click anywhere in the application window and select Reset App to Defaults from the context menu: