Yes if you are not intending to sell your barcoded products through the wide retail world such as Coles Myer or a Woolworths type business.  If you are you need to call GS1 on 1300 366 033 and they will license you with set numbers for you to use on your retail products.

If you are not in retail, you do not need to purchase licensed numbers and you are free to use any symbology except EAN, and UPC codes.  We most recommend Code 39 and Code 128.

A set of rules specifying the way in which data may be represented.

Code 128 and Code 39 best suits Pathology as they are Alpha Numeric and can have a check digit for security.  You can also fit more data into a Code 128 barcode than in any of the other symbologies.

2 Dimensional barcodes are designed to hold a lot more information than linear barcodes and can hold around 3,000 characters.  They are designed to be standalone without having to retrieve the information from a database, for example a doctor could have all of one patients details in a single 2D barcode rather than on the database.

A character included within a symbol whose value is based, mathematically, on other characters within the symbol.  It is used to perform a mathematical check to ensure the accuracy of the read.

If an item is not performing as it should be, feel free to contact the staff at Barcode Direct to see if the item is under warranty, for this you will need to have the serial number of the item on hand.  By contacting us we may alsobe able to see if there is something we can do to repair it over the phone.  In many instances issues can be easily resolved without returning the item.  In more complex cases the item can be returned to us for an evaluation for repair by a technician.

To find a ribbon to best suit your needs you need to firstly look at the environment in which the label will be used.  Is the ribbon going to be used in cryogenics? will it be submersed in chemicals? is the environment dusty, dirty, outdoors, hot or sunny?

There are three types of ribbons used, full wax, full resin or the most commonly used a wax / resin blend. 

• Wax / resin ribbons are a good general ribbon and the image left on the label is resistant to wear. 
• Full resin ribbons are used mostly on polyester type labels as they adhere better and last better in the outdoors.
• Full wax ribbons are not often used as they aren't as resistant to wear but are good for labels that are not in use for long.

Many people come to us wanting pre printed labels, these people don't feel the need to invest in purchasing a label printer, labels and ribbons.   In most cases it is simply that not many labels are required, and therefore ask us to produce them on their behalf.  if you would like to talk to one of our staff as to the many options you have with pre printed labels, please feel free to contact us on 1300 656 135