:"1 c.

;: '

I-

c. " I

t'

UNIVERSAL

PRODUCT CODE

UPC SYMBOL SPEIFICATION

,J.i

f~

MAY 1973
1725 k street, n.w. washington, d.c. 20006 (202) 833-1134

distribution

number bank

Administrator of the Universal Product Code and UPC Symbol for the Uniform Grocery Product Code Council

PREFACE Uniform Grocery Product Code Council, Inc., is providing this print specification describing the voluntary standard for the machine-readable representation (symbol) of the Grocery Industry Universal Product Code as a service to the industry. This voluntary standard will facilitate the use of automated checkstands in grocery stores in the United States. It is the result of a massive industry-wide effort aimed at improving overall productivity in the grocery industry. Although all reasonable precautions have been taken to assure that the specification is correct, no representation or warranty, express or implied, to that effect is made, and the Council hereby expressly disclaims liability for errors in this specification. In addition, while efforts have been made to assure the reliability and technical accuracy of the specification, no warranty or representation is made that this specification will not require modification as experience and technological advances dictate. In fact, a Technical Advisory Committee is being formed to assist in implementation, including necessary changes to this specification. The Council extends its appreciation to the hundreds, perhaps thousands of people who have participated in one way or another in this effort. The coordinating industry committees involved are as follows:

AD HOC COMMITTEE

R. Burt Gookin *
President H. J. Heinz Company

Robert A. Stringer
Vice President General Foods Corp.

Robert O. Aders
Chairman The Kroger of the Board

John L. Strubbe
Vice President The Kroger

Co.

Co.

Frederick
Bristol-Myers

G. Butler
Company

John C. Suerth
President Gerber Products Company

Vice President

Alan Haberman
President First National Stores, Inc.

Bert L. Thomas
President Winn-Dixie Stores, Inc.

John F. Hayes
General Manager, Mktg. H. J. Heinz Company

Robert B. Wegman
Chairman Wegman's of the Board Food Markets, Inc.

Donald P. Lloyd
President Associated Food Stores, Inc.

Raymond
President The Oshawa

D. Wolfe
Group, Ltd.

Earl W. Madsen
President Madsen's Enterprises, Inc.

James T. Wyman
Chairman, Super Executive Committee Inc. Valu Stores,

James P. McFarland
Chairman General of the Board Mills, Inc.

Counsel:

Stephen A. Brown
Kirkland, Ellis & Rowe

Thomas P. Nelson
Vice President General Mills, Inc .

Chairman

distribution

number

bank.

Administrator

of the Universal Product

Code and UPC Symbol

SYMBOL STANDARDIZATION SUBCOMMITTEE

UNIFORM GROCERY PRODUCT CODE COUNCIL 1973 BOARD OF GOVERNORS

Alan Haberman *
First National Stores, Inc.

Robert A. Stringer*
General Foods Corp.

Fritz Biermeier
Red Owl Stores, Inc.

Fritz Biermeier
Red Owl Stores, Inc.

Barry Franz
Procter
& Gamble

K. Marvin Eberts, Jr.

Company Stokely Van Camp, Inc.

William
Del Monte

Galt
Corp.

Alan Haberman
First National Stores, Inc.

John F. Hayes
H. J. Heinz Company

William J. Hollis
American Can Compnay

S. Stephen
General Foods

Linn
Corp.

Arthur D. Juceam
Lehn & Fink Products Co.

Robert Tripp
Winn-Dixie Stores, Inc.

Robert R. Koenig
Super Valu Stores, Inc.

Eric Waldbaum
Greenbelt Consumer Services, Inc.

Curt Kornblau
Super Market Institute

Robert F. Lee
Johnson

& Johnson

Donald P. Lloyd
Associated Food Stores, Inc.

Thomas P. Nelson
General Mills, Inc.

William E. Oddy
Jewel Food Stores

John L. Strubbe
The Kroger Co.

Wilbur Stump
Stump's Counsel: Enterprises, Inc.

Stephen A. Brown
Kirkland, Ellis & Rowe

'Chairman

distribution

number

bank.

Administrator

of the Universal Product

Code and UPC Symbol

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page No. 1.0 2.0 2.1 2.1.1 2.1.2 2.1.3 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 INTRODUCTION

HOW TO TRANSLATE A NUMBER TO ITS EQUIVALENT SYMBOL ENCODATION Regular Symbol (Version A) Encodation for UPC Characters, Number System Character, and Modulo Check Character Number System Character Check Character Calculation Drug B Symbol (Version B) 12-Character Symbol (Version C) 12+n-Character Symbol (Version D) Zero Suppression Symbol (Version E) HOW TO CONVERT SYMBOL ENCODATION Human-Readable Numbers Procurement of Film Masters Automated Approaches Artwork Kit Approach Diagnostic Analysis TO FILM MASTER

10 12 13 14 14 15 15 15 15

3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.4.1

18 18 19 19 19 21 22 22 23 24 24 24 27 29 30

4.0 4.1 4.1.1 4.1.2 4.2 4.2.1 4.2.2 4.2.3 4.3 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 5.6 5.7 5.8 5.9 5.10

PRINTING THE STANDARD SYMBOL Printability Gage Evaluation of Print Rating Printability Range Determination of Magnification Factor and Required Line-Width Reduction Lithography, Gravure and Letterpress Flexography Alternate Method Summary COLOR/CONTRAST Reflectance Print Contrast Signal Density Gloss Opacity Color Voids Ink and Dirt Spots Show-Through Transparent Wrapper

31 31 31
34 34

34 34 34
34 34

35

distribution

number

bank.

Administrator

of the Universal Product

Code and UPC Symbol

INDEX OF TABLES,

FIGURES AND DRAWINGS

Page No. TABLE 1

2 3 4

5 FIGURE 1
2

Magnification Factor Line-Width Reduction Line-Width Reduction Magnification Factor Density, Reflectance,

for Lithography for Lithography for Flexography for Flexography and PCS

25 25 28 28

33
6 7

3
4

5
6

UPC Standard Symbol Character Structure OCR-B Characters Artwork Kit Printability Gage for Establishing Consistency Reflective Density and PCS 1
2

18 20 Print 23 32 36 37 38
39 40

DRAWING

3
4

5
6 7

Typical Dimensions Reference Drawing for UPC Symbol Regular NDC Symbol Regular HRI Symbol Drug B Symbol Zero Suppression Symbol Encodation Chart - Regular Symbol Encodation Chart - Zero Suppression

41
42

Symbol

43

distribution number bank.

Administrator

of the Universal Product

Code and UPC Symbol

5 1.0 INTRODUCTION

This document describes how to print the machine-readable representation (called a "symbol") of the Grocery Industry Universal Product Code (UPC). In addition to overall descriptive material available through Distribution Number Bank, Inc., this document should be considered in conjunction with two important companion documents: UPC Guidelines Manual - recommending a UPC number to a grocery product. when and how to assign

UPC Symbol Location Guidelines - manual recommending when and where to apply a symbol on an individual consumer package.

The code numbering system adopted for the Grocery Industry consists of 10 numeric characters. Although the symbol is primarily designed for these 10-digit codes, it also includes growth capacity for longer codes (e.g., 11 and 12 characters) to facilitate compatibility in all Distribution Industries in the future. The symbol even provides a format capable of encoding 13 to 30 characters to promote compatibility with the needs of Department Stores. The standard symbol (a machine-readable version of the UPC and other compatible codes) is in the form of a series of parallel light and dark bars of different widths and OCR-B numeric font equivalent which hereinafter will be referred to as a "bar code symbol." (Not to be confused with the UPC code, which is the numbering system that is represented by the symbol.) The basic characteristics Figures 1 and 2): of the symbol are as follows (see

Series of light and dark parallel bars (30 dark and 29 light for any 10-character code) with a light margin on each side. Overall shape is rectangular. by 2 dark

Each character or digit of a code is represented bars and 2 light spaces. Each character is made up of 7 data elements; hereinafter will be called a "module." A module might be dark or light.

a data element

A bar may be made up of 1, 2, 3, or 4 dark modules, shown in Figure 2. Each character is independent.

as

distribution

number

bank.

Administrator

of the Universal Product

Code and UPC Symbol

FIGURE

1 - UPC STANDARD

SYMBOL

Right 5 Characters of Code Leh-Hand

G,,,d BmP':," (~
I
I

.r ~

Pattern . Number System (01010) Check Character Character Bar Center Modulo Left 5 Characters of Code ~Tall

*"
J

Right-Hand

/rd ~

Bar -Pattern ( 101)

I I I I I I
Leh Light Margin I Minimum~ Modules Widel

J
I
r

.v
I I
I

Right Light Margin Minimum 7 Modules Wide

I
I
Number System I Character I

Not to Seale

ExamPleJ

1234567890
. :
.~

I I I I I I I
Characters Per OCRB Font

"----

,.

1
Or

NDC Code 11-Character

l2..J Or 14\

U ro\.

UPCCode Regular

Number System Character Format

Number

System: National HealthRelated Items Code

3
H
R

3
N D C

H R I

0,

I DN";o",1
C

Drug Code Digit Corresponding to Lead Digit if NDC Grows to 6-Digit Labeler Code

distribution

number

bank.

Administrator

of the Universal Product

Code and UPC Symbol

7 FIGURE 2 - CHARACTER STRUCTURE

Dark Bar Dark Module

1 Character ---

Light Module

7 Modules 2 Bars/2 Spaces The Above Character Represents a Left-Hand "6" Which is Encoded 0101111

7 Modules 2 Bars/2 Spaces The Above Character Represents a Left-Hand "0" Which is Encoded 0001101

distribution

number

bank.

Administrator

of the Universal Product

Code and UPC Symbol

8
The symbol also includes two characters needed to encode the UPC: beyond the 10

One character, a modulo check character (see Section 2.1.3 for details) is embedded in the right-most position of the symbol to ensure a high level of reading reliability. (See Figure 1.) Another character, embedded in the left-most position of the symbol, shows which number system a particular symbol encodes. Concurrent number sets are used to accommodate such things as meat and produce without the need to set aside code numbers in the UPC. (See Figure 1 and Section 2.0.) The symbol size is infinitely variable, to accommodate to the ranges in quality achievable by the various printing processes. That is, it can be uniformly magnified or reduced from the nominal size (defined later in this document) without significantly affecting the degree to which it can be scanned. The symbol is "wandable," which means a simple handheld device can be used to scan or read the symbol. Fixed-position scanners can be built to scan this symbol in an omnidirectional manner; that is, automatically read by a scanner when the symbol is drawn past the scanner in any orientation. The symbol prevents tampering. Unauthorized addition of lines is readily detectable by scanning devices. In the same way, poor printing will not result in scanning devices reading a wrong number. This is facilitated since the symbol has multiple error-detecting features which allow scanner designers to build equipment to automatically detect and reject a very poorly printed symbol or one that has been tampered with. The symbol also incorporates in a human-readable form. and presents the code number

Section 2 of this document describes the various versions of the symbol and how a numeric code number is translated into its unique combination of light and dark bars to become a sYmbol. Section 3 shows how to convert a symbol encodation into an artwork master, and Sections 4 and 5 deal with printing aids and requirements. The symbol is designed to use methods consistent with printing practices in use throughout the grocery converting industry(s). Specifically, the approach described in Section 3 is designed to minimize the cost of symbol marking by grocery manufacturers (source

distribution

number

bank.

Administrator

of the Universal Product

Code and UPC Symbol

symbol marking) and their suppliers by employing a variable-size symbol and visual-inspection gages without quantitative rejection criteria on the printed symbol. Some sections of this specification are extremely detailed, as they must be to provide a full understanding to those who will be working at the technical level in various parts of the process of developing symbols for individual grocery packages. It is recognized that the technical detail may make the specification more difficult to understand for those people not involved in a particular phase of the process. It is therefore contemplated that, if needed, a series of special bulletins aimed at specific needs will be issued to provide more of an "overview" approach to the specification. Suggestions as to the separate bulletins which readers of this document would find helpful should be made to Distribution Number Bank, Inc.

;;

distribution

number

bank.

Administrator

of the Universal Product

Code and UPC Symbol

10

2.0

HOW TO TRANSLATE ENCODATION

A NUMBER

TO ITS EQUIVALENT

SYMBOL

The symbol comprises a machine-readable bar code and the humanreadable interpretation of that bar code. In addition to the information characters, the symbol includes other characters to identify the number system. Several versions of the symbol are available. This section will describe the intended uses of, and differences between, these variations, as well as the organization and encoding of the machinereadable bar codes involved. The five. versions ing uses: Version
A

of the UPC symbol are reserved

for the follow-

Intended

Use

Basic version, used to encode the 10-character Grocery Industry UPC as well as the present National Drug Code and National Health Related Items Code. (See Drawings 2, 3, and 4.) Special version, reserved for encodation of the National Drug Code and National Health Related Items Code if expansion to 11 characters is required at a later date. Note that 5 of the 6 characters required for the manufacturer identification part of the code will show up on the left side of the symbol and that the 6th character of the manufacturer identification code will appear on the right of the symbol. (See Drawing 5.) Special version, reserved to promote industrywide product code compatibility, expanding the existing family of compatible codes (Grocery UPC, NDC, NHRIC, Canadian Grocery Code and the Distribution Code). This ensures that a 10character symbol will work when 11- and/or 12digit symbols come into use. The l2+n-character or variable message length version was adopted to provide a reasonable and completely compatible version of the symbol for possible use in grocery stores that sell general merchandise or in general merchandise or department stores where more information may be needed in the symbol. Note that effective use of this version for source symbol marking implies agreement by general merchandise distributors and their suppliers on a common code numbering system.
distribution number bank.
Administrator of the Universal Product Code and UPC Symbol

11
Version
E

Intended

Use

The zero suppression version of the symbol is included to facilitate source symbol marking on packages that would otherwise be too small to include a symbol. This is achieved by encoding the symbol in a special way (described in Section 2.5) that leaves out some zeros that can occur in the UPC code. For example, code 12300-00045 can be encoded in a symbol as 12345, effectively eliminating half of the area that would otherwise be required for the symbol. (See Drawing 6.) Note that there is no explicit number system character for this version of the symbol. for the five versions varies as follows:

The format

XXXXXCX xxx XXX Drug B Title XXX XXXXXCXX ... Suppression XXXXXC.) SXXXXX XSXXXXX 12+n-Character 12-Character Regular Zero I XXX ssax~x Formay --

Ie

x = information
S = number C = modulo

character system character check character

Versions A, B, C, and D are encoded such that each character of the code is represented by a separately identifiable bar code pattern depending on whether the character is in the first or second half of the code. (See Section 2.1.1.) In the zero suppression version (E), the 10-character UPC code itself is compressed to six characters by leaving out unnecessary zeros. The details of the compression process are given in Section 2.5. The number system character identifes 10 concurrent number sets which have been provided in the symbol. This approach is used to combine the various compatible codes with the UPC code. The assignment of the number system characters is as follows:

distribution

number

bank.

Administrator

of the Universal Product

Code and UPC Symbol

12 Number System Character

Specified Regular

Use (Version A) .

o 2

grocery UPC codes

Variable-weight items, such as meat and produce, symbol marked at store level (Version A) . National Drug Code and National Health Related Items Code in current 10-digit code length (Version A). Note that the symbol is not affected by the various internal structures possible with the NDC or HRI codes. Corresponds to Version B of symbol which is 11 characters and is a special form reserved for use with NDC and/or HRI if further expansion to 11 characters is required; i.e., 6-character manufacturer identification code. Reserved for use on coupons (Version A) .

5
6

Corresponds to Version C of the symbol, which encodes a 12-character code. Corresponds to Version D of the symbol, which encodes the 12+n-character code. Reserved time. for uses unidentified at this

1, 7, 8

The human-readable chaacter identifying the encoded number system will be shown in the ~~w~f left-hand margin of the symbol as per Figure 1 (and Drawings 2, 3, 4, and 5). 2.1 REGULAR SYMBOL (Version A)

The regular symbol normally contains dark bars and light spaces built up with nominal 0.0130-inch modules for the nominal-size symbol. (Four characters involve "undersize" bars and "oversize" light spaces see Drawing 7.) There are 95 modules in the regular symbol and 18 modules in the side margins, as shown in Figure 1. When the modules are of nominal size, the regular symbol Jr~~~Y (including human-readable characters) will have an area of ~.1897 square inches including the light margins (1.469 X 1.020). The total symbol,

distribution

number

bank.

Administrator

of the Universal Product

Code and UPC Symbol

13

however, may be larger or smaller than nominal, quality of the printing process involved.

depending

on the print

The determination of which modules are light and which are dark is given in Section 2.1.1. Starting at the left side of the regular symbol following the light margin, it is encoded first with "guard bars," described below, followed by a number system character, followed by five UPC characters on the left side of the center bars, and then with the remaining five UPC characters on the right side of the center bars followed by a modulo-IO check character. Finally, the same guard bars are used at the right side. Individual bar code characters are easily identified. Note in Section 2.1.1 that each character on the left side of the center bars begins with a light space and ends with a dark bar. Correspondingly, characters on the right side of the center bars begin with a dark bar and end with a light space. Dark modules represent lIs while light modules represent O's. The number of dark modules per character on the left side is always 3 or 5 and the number is always 2 or 4 for right-hand characters. Encoding is identical for all characters on a given side of the symbol, whether the character is part of the UPC number or is the number system character or the modulo check character. The first two bars at the left of the symbol and last two bars at the right of the symbol comprise the left and right guard bar positions, encoded 101. encoded 2.1.1 The bars in the center 01010. Encodation and Modulo comprise the fixed center bar pattern,

..

for UPC Characters, Check Character

Number

System Character,

The encodation for the left and right halves of the regular symbol, including UPC characters, number system character and modulo check character, is given in the following chart, which is applicable to Versions A, B, C and D of the symbol. Note that the left-hand characters always use an odd number (3 or 5) of modules to make up the dark bars, whereas the right-hand characters always use an even number (2 or 4). This provides an "odd" and "even" parity encodation for each character and is important in creating, scanning and decoding a symbol.

distribution

number

bank.

Administrator

of the Universal Product

Code and UPC Symbol

15

In the case of the zero suppression symbol (see Section 2.5 for details of Version E), the six characters of the compressed UPC number yield a check character which is then encoded in the parity pattern of those characters as shown in Section 2.5 and not in a separate bar code character as described in Section 2.1.1. The modulo check character in the 12+n version (D) shall use the above procedure and apply to the entire number encoded (i.e., 12+n information characters plus the number system character) . 2.2 DRUG B SYMBOL (Version B)

The Drug B version differs from Version A (regular symbol) only in that the number system digit is 4, the modulo check character is replaced by the last product code character, and there is no modulo check.

2.3

12-CHARACTER

SYMBOL

(Version C)

The 12-character version differs from Version A (regular symbol) only in that the number system character is 6 and the first character of the manufacturer identification number is placed between the left guard pattern and the number system character, the last product identification character is placed between the modulo check character and right guard pattern, and the width of the symbol is increased by tile sum of the widths of the two additional characters.

2.4

12+n-CHARACTER

SYMBOL

(Version D)

The 12+n-character version differs from Version A (regular symbol) in that the number system character is 9. It also incorporates more than 10 characters. The width of the symbol is increased and the height may be decreased to 0.400 inches. This version facilitates encodation of any code length from. 13 to 30 characters. The 11th through 30th characters are located between the modulo check character and the right guard bar pattern. Thus, the width of the symbol is increased by the sum of the widths of those additional characters. Omnidirectional scanning is not anticipated; therefore, shorter bars may be used in this version. 2.5 ZERO SUPPRESSION SYMBOL "<Version E)

The zero suppression version (see Drawing 6) is similar to the portion of Version A (regular symbol) to tpe left of the center except for the following:

1.

It has a right guard pattern which

is coded

010101.

distribution

number

bank.

Administrator

of the Universal Product

Code and UPC Symbol

17
There is, therefore, no explicit character encodation category or modulo check characters; their values are derived parity permutation of the six encoded characters. The six other characters code as follows: are derived of the from the UPC

from the 10-character

If a manufacturer's number ends in~or 100 or 200, he has available to him 1,000 item numbers between 00000 and 00999. The six characters are obtained from the first two characters of the manufacturer's number followed by the last three characters of the item number, followed by the third character of the manufacturer's number.

q~c..>
If a manufacturer's number ends in 00, he has available to him 100 item numbers between 00000 and 00099. The six characters are obtained from the first three characters of the manufacturer's number followed by the last two characters of the item number, followed by "3." If a manufacturer's number ends in 0, he has available to him 10 item numbers between 00000 and 00009. The six characters are obtained from the first four characters of the manufacturer's number followed by the last character of the item number, followed by "4." All other manufacturers have available to them five item numbers between 00005 and 00009. The six characters are obtained from all five of the manufacturer identification number followed by the last character of the item number.

= 0 18First,may 1 2 3 2 :system character/ 18 6 28) 3: code example helpful. 28 + = 1 4: "0." check Assume 2 10 0 1: compute 3 4 x +Modulo isin becharacter: the number 12300-00064 6 0 5: An modulo check (30

Now select the parity combination from the Zero Suppression Parity Pattern (EEOOEO). Finally, use this parity pattern and the decision rules above to encode the symbol; i.e., guard bars (101), EVENl, EVEN2, ODD3, ODD6, EVEN4, ODD3, guard bars (010101).

;;

distribution number bank.

Administrator

of the Universal Product

Code and UPC Symbol

18 3.0 HOW TO CONVERT SYMBOL ENCODATION TO FILM MASTER

This section will briefly describe how to convert a given symbol encodation (for any code) to an artwork master and then to a film master. This is a crucial step, since errors at this stage could result in symbols which may be read incorrectly and/or rejected. Very close dimensional tolerances must be maintained to maximize the tolerance available in the printing process. (See drawings herein for tolerances. ) 3.1 HUMAN-READABLE NUMBERS

The human-readable form of the code will be per draft proposed American National Standards Character Set for Optical Character Recognition (OCR-B) - X3/73-24-Size 1. This applies only to the numerals in the nominal film-master size as shown on Drawing 2. It is intended not to change this specification automatically if the draft standard noted above is changed before or after finalization. This policy is adopted since the OCR characters here will be used in the foreseeable future only for human recognition. FIGURE 3 - OCR-B CHARACTERS

The number system character shall also be shown in the OCR-B font in the left-hand part of the s~nbol. (See Figure 1.) NDC shall also be shown when a National Drug Code is encoded and HRI when a National Health Related Items Code is encoded, if required by the Food and Drug Administration. Note that the alpha characters NDC and HRI need not be shown as OCR-B font characters. The vertical arrangement of the letters NDC and HRI is shown to minimize space; if a horizontal format is preferred by the manufacturer, that will be satisfactory.

distribution

number

bank.

Administrator

of the Universal Product

Code and UPC Symbol

19 3.2 PROCUREMENT OF FILM MASTERS

Many companies have expressed an interest in the business of selling film masters. Distribution Number Bank, Inc. will maintain an up-to-date list of film-master suppliers for use by UGPCC member companies. There are also potential ways for manufacturers or printers to prepare their own artwork masters, and those are discussed in Sections 3.3 and 3.4. 3.3 AUTOMATED APPROACHES

Several ways are available to automate the production of film masters. For example, computer-driven drafting machines can be used to draw a symbol for any code number. There are devices that can even produce the film master in one step. For additional information contact Distribution Number Bank, Inc. 3.4 ARTWORK KIT APPROACH

Companies have expressed an interest in marketing artwork kits to produce regular symbols through use of a dimensionally-stable master set of magnified (e.g., lOX) artwork pieces or sticks. (See Drawing 1 for typical dimensions at film-master state and Figure 4.) The complete kit for the right and left halves of the symbol is comprised of 123 sticks, as follows: 12 number system and guard bar sticks (number system and guard bar encodation sticks for each number system character) (Number system "3" has three sticks; one with "NDC," another with "HRI," and another with only the "3.") 50 left-hand (odd parity) 9 for each of 5 character 1 center bar pattern 50 right-hand sticks for the numerals positions 0 through

(01010) stick sticks

(even parity)

10 modulo and guard bar pattern sticks (modulo character and guard bar encodation also shown on one stick - 10 needed for each of the numerals from 0 to 9)

distribution

number

bank.

Administrator

of the Universal Product

Code and UPC Symbol

20 FIGURE 4 - ARTWORK KIT

Each character is composed of exactly 7 modules or data elements, each of which is 0.013 inches wide in the final film-master state and always consists of 2 black bars each of which is either 1, 2, 3 or 4 modules wide. Four characters have a special modification, as shown on Drawing 7, Encodation Chart - Regular Symbol. (Also shown on Drawing 8, Encodation Chart - Zero Suppression Symbol.) The tolerances on all drawings herein apply to the symbol in the film-master state only and not to the symbol as printed. Once a stick master for each character is developed in accordance with the encodation in Section 2.1.1 and another set is developed for encodation in Section 2.5, one is ready to easily convert a code number into its artwork master. (See Drawing 2, Reference Drawing for UPC Symbo 1. ) The first steps involve placing the stick for the appropriate number system and left guard bar down, then from the left-hand (odd parity) character sticks select the first 5 characters of the code. Then put in place the center stick. Now select from the right-hand character sticks (even parity) the second 5 characters of the code. Next compute according to Section 2.1.3 the modulo check character value and add this stick with its guard bar pattern into the assembly.

lIIIIIl

distribution

number

bank.

Administrator

of the Universal Product

Code and UPC Symbol

21

The corresponding human-readable characters would be included on the individual stick in a size appropriate for the proportional reduction of the overall symbol. Photographic methods at appropriate reduction may now be used to convert this assembled artwork to a film master corresponding to the tolerances on the drawings. It is important that the stick assembly does not include clearance between sticks, since that may result in a film master with inter character tolerances in excess of those required by scanning devices. 3.4.1 Diagnostic Analysis

It is expected that artwork kits will include special humanreadable information at the bottom edge of each stick (well below the symbol). A diagnostic computer-based analysis has been prepared which will use that special information to determine if a symbol artwork asasembly has been constructed properly. For example, the stick for a (odd parity) left-hand character 6 might have "ODD6" at the bottom of the stick. Similarly, all sticks would have special information. Thus an assembly for code 12045-00001 in the regular UPC Version A might show the special information: "Grocery, ODDl, ODD2, ... EVEN1, CHECK6." By entering this diagnostic message into the diagnostic program, errors would be detected. Namely, in the example above, the wrong check character stick was used in the final position, and this would be automatically identified by the diagnostic program. This tool will be especially useful with the zero suppression symbol version. UGPCC will attempt to develop a source(s) for this diagnostic service in a variety of forms, including the use of automated remote terminals.

distribution

number

bank.

Administrator

of the Universal Product

Code and UPC Symbol

22 4.0 PRINTING THE STANDARD SYMBOL

This section will describe how to use the film master for a given symbol in such a way as to assist the printer in minimizing printing costs. Development of a film master was described in Section 3. Guidelines on where to print it are shown in the UPC Symbol Location Guidelines manual. The symbol has been designed so that it can be uniformly varied in size over a wide range. This effectively allows for the use of a small symbol when printing factors normally permit accurate printing, and for use of a larger size where less accurate printing conditions prevail. Thus, the purpose of the variable-size symbol is to allow the use of all processes under routine production conditions with a minimum of process control. In the preparation of the printing plate, variable-size symbols are developed by photographically enlarging or reducing the overall symbol shown on the film master. A system for determining printing capabilities and translating them to appropriate symbol sizes and artwork line-width reduction requirements is described in this section. It avoids the imposition of quantitative tolerances on the final printed symbol. This approach will work only if printers do not attempt to print the symbol smaller than their printing process and printing situation permits. If this approach should fail, it will be necessary~ to adopt more stringent specifications with respect to the final I printed symbol. 4.1 PRINTABILITY GAGE

A small, precise printability gage (see Figure 5) is enclosed with this specification as both a positive and a negative transparency (additional gage transparencies are available through Distribution Number Bank, Inc.). Basically, the pattern consists of 11 ~ctions; each section consisting of two sets of parallel lines oriented perpendicularly to each other so that one set (either one) can be run in the press direction and the other set in the crosspress direction. The spacing between lines varies incrementally in uniform steps from one section to the next. The dimensions of the lines and spaces are not shown and are not required. The coarsest section is identified as Target A, the next finer B, the next C, and so on through to the finest section designated K. Under difficult print situations only the coarse sections may be resolved without the lines closing up. Under more favorable conditions, it The targets might be possible to resolve the J or K sections. cover the gamut of package printing capability for all processes; therefore, depending on the process and the anticipated quality of printing for a given situation, only a portion of the total target

;;

distribution

number

bank.

Administrator

of the Universal Product

Code and UPC Symbol

23

will be needed. For example, it is likely that the finer sections would not be resolved through etching, matrix molding, and plate vulcanizing for flexography. The selected parts of the target should be included in actual press runs. It should be placed on the same press unit and as close to the probable symbol location as practical. (Later, after symbols are actually being printed, it may be desirable to continue to include targets, as a basis for judging performance and the need for possible change in symbol size.) It is important that the printability gage be used as received, stripped in, emulsion-to-emulsion, with the final flat used for plate exposure regardless of the process involved. ~n~ in-plant photographic enlargement or reduction of the printabl1lty gage would defeat its purpose. No special consideration gage during printing. should be given to the printability

FIGURE 5 - PRINTABILITY GAGE FOR ESTABLISHING PRINT CONSISTENCY

A
B
11111

p:.

11111

B'

c
E

C' 011I11I 0'

111111 11I11I

E"

Example ONLY NOT for Printers Use

G.
1

mWI

F'

H.
J

G' H'
1'

J'

K'

4.1.1

Evaluation

of Print Rating

To establish the print rating of a specific printing situation, the printability gage is observed under a common lOX magnifying glass. Under average conditions some of the finer sections (e.g., J and K) will be completely filled in with ink, while some space will be apparent between lines in the coarser sections. At some section of the gage (e.g., E), the lines will just be closing in.
I

The printability rating for any job at any time is defined as the gage pattern (e.g., "E") where the lines first touch. A drop of extraneous ink or similar random imperfection is disregarded for this purpose. For irregular-edged lines, the touching point is defined as the section where approximately 50 percent of the line length is touching.

distribution

number

bank.

Administrator

of the Universal Product

Code and UPC Symbol

24

For example, a printed test pattern is examined under a glass and it is seen that the finer sections, I, J and K, are printing solid and that in the H section the lines running parallel to press direction are just touching, or at least about half of the line length is touching. If, on this job, the symbol can be oriented with lines in the web direction, the printability rating for this evaluation would be H. If the symbol could not be oriented favorably on this job, the rating would be established in a similar manner based on the lines running perpendicular to press direction.

4.1.2

Printability

Range

Only a few seconds should be required to assign and log a printability rating. This should be done at intervals during the course of each run. Soon a log of printability ratings will be established showing the variation occurring during a run, on repeat runs of the same job, and between jobs that are similar in nature, such as different jobs on the same substrate. The printability range is simply the range of printability ratings observed. It is important to determine the printability range, since that will be used to establish the magnification factor. 4.2 DETERMINATION OF MAGNIFICATION LINE-WIDTH REDUCTION FACTOR AND REQUIRED

The printability range data provides a basis for determininq whether the symbol should be printed at a variation from the nominal size. It also facilitates determination of any alteration of bar widths which may be needed to print symbols satisfactorily. Detailed instructions for specific printing processes follow. 4.2.1 Lithography, Gravure and Letterpress

After determining the printability range for a particular job, Table 1 is used to determine the magnification factor to be applied to enlarge or reduce the overall symbol prior to line-width reduction modification. After the magnification factor is determined, photographic enlargement or reduction is performed on the nominal-size symbol as it exists in the film-master state. Note that the printability range must be determined, such that it covers all normal conditions. If in doubt, use a larger than measured range to determine the magnification factor. The next step is to determine the reductions in bar widths necessary to ensure proper printing. These are shown in Table 2. When these reductions have been determined, symbol masters (magnified to the level determined under the steps described above) should be overexposed to reduce the lines. This step will effectively decrease the bar widths without changing their relative centerline position with respect to one another and will increase the space widths.

distribution

number

bank.

Administrator

of the Universal Product

Code and UPC Symbol

25
TABLE 1 TABLE 2

MAGNIFICATION FACTOR FOR LITHOGRAPHY, GRAVURE AND LETTERPRESS

LINE-WIDTH REDUCTION FOR LITHOGRAPHY, GRAVURE AND LETTERPRESS

Printability Rating Range

Magnification Factor

Printability Rating Range

Line-Width (Thousandths

Reduction of an Inch)

E E E E E E

F G H I

F H I E 1. G J -1. F I H G

1. 00 00 20 1. 30 1. 40 1. 50
0.90

I F H - G K 1.5 9 9 2.5 - J (+1-2) 6 10 4 8 3 4.5 5.5 E - K (+0-3 ) 5 11 3.5 5 6 (1) ) 7 7 (+0.5-2) 8 6.5 (+1-2) (+2-1 (+2-1) (2)

F - G
F - H

F - I F - J F - K
G - H

1. 00 1. 20 1. 25 1. 30
0.90

G - I G - J
G - K H - I H - J

1. 00
1.10

1. 20
0.90 0.95

H - K

1. 00
0.90 0.90

I J -

J
K

I - K

0.80

;;

distribution

number

bank.

Administrator

of the Universal Product

Code and UPC Symbol

26

The following

examples

should clarify

the approach:

The letterpress job has been run several times with the standard printability gage. Random spot checks during each run have indicated that the printability ratings have varied randomly between G and J. Thus, the printability range is G to J. Although not shown in the specification, this indicates line growth of 0.002 to 0.008 inches. Therefore, the established printing consistence for this job shows a line growth of 0.00S0.003 inches. Given the 0.003 inches tolerance, an acceptable symbol size can be computed to allow the printer to run the job under routine conditions and still produce a scanable symbol. The first step would be to look up the appropriate magnification factor in Table 1 (which in this case is 1.10) and then enlarge the symbol on the film master by that amount (i.e., 10 percent). This will result in one-module-wide bars in the symbol increasing to 0.0143 inches. It is best to apply too much magnification or enlargement rather than too little. Next referring to Table 2, note that a O.OOS-inch line reduction is shown adjacent to printability range G to J. This O.OOS-inch line reduction can be achieved by controlled contact overexposure of the modified film positive to produce a negative for plate exposure with a single module bar at 0.0093 inches wide. Note that the same line reduction is applied to all bars regardless of how many modules wide they are. Now, when the job is run with the symbol modified as above, the 0.0093-inch bar will print a bar of 0.01430.003 inches (excluding line-width reduction variations) if the pressman maintains the previously determined printability range of G to J. That is, there must be line fusion on J, I or H, but not on G.

A gravure J and K.

job has been run with printability

ratings of

The printability rating is J - K, which gives a magnification factor of 0.80 and indicated-line growth of O.OOlSO.OOOS inches. The indicated line reduction is O.OOlSO.OOl inches.

Thus, the 0.013-inch nominal one-module-wide bar on the film master should be reduced to 0.0104 inches (0.80 x 0.013 inches), which is further reduced by line reduction to 0.0090.001 inches. Then, a single

IIIIIl'

distribution

number

bank.

Administrator

of the Universal Product

Code and UPC Symbol

27

bar should print 0.009 to 0.012 inches (including) the line-width variation) if the J or K targets are resolved during the print run. The above variation will be acceptable for scanners. In the example cited above where the magnification factor is listed as 1.10, this should be considered as a guide. -In practj ce, the photographer probably ,{auld shoot for a full 10 percent enlBrgcment, The line-width reduction should be done as accurately as possible and verified by microscopic measurement. When extensive undercutting is required, this may not be possible to achieve in one step without producing a fuzzy-edged line. Two stages or, in the extreme, three stages in reduction may be required. Gravure may present a special situation in some instances. When printing by gravure on an absorptive substrate such as paper or board, some line growth relative to the film positive is likely due to ink penetration and wicking. The appropriate magnification factor and line-width reduction have been selected to accommodate this condition. When printing on impervious surfaces such as film or foil, a distinct cell pattern results along line edges and it is possible that the effective average line width could be slightly less than the film positive used. It is anticipated that this possible loss in line width would be negligible. In this case, the appropriate magnification factor when applied as determined by the printability range will be sufficient. 4.2.2 Flexography

For flexography, especially under more difficult conditions, line-width reduction of the enlarged symbol would be excessive and therefore difficult to achieve reliably. Hence, in flexography linewidth reduction is done first, then magnification is applied. Table 3 shows the amount of line-width reduction required on the standard symbol on the film master as a function of the printability range. Eventually it may be possible to buy film masters with line reduction incorporated. Table 4 shows the magnification factor which is applied after line reduction as a function of the printability range. Tables 3 and 4 are based on the conclusion that the minimum practicarline width that can be incorporated into flexible printing plates and used for printing under normal packaging situations should be 0.005 inches. This limit, of course, affects the specified magnification factor shown in Table 4. Note first that in both tables the finest section shown is I. It is unlikely that the finer sections can be consistently resolved through etching, matrix molding, and plate vulcanizing. Even if they could be resolved, these finer sections could not

distribution number bank.

Administrator

of the Universal Product

Code and UPC Symbol

G G (ThousandthsFACTOR 1.FOR F Inch)4 I1 B H C E F D E - H 9 90 7 45 2 D 1 REDUCTION 1.15 8 6 Factor 1.45 2.00 00 80 2 Reduction MAGNIFICATION 7 0.90 1. D 1.10 1.20 H E B 55 60 20 30 40 85 70 55 60 80 Line-Width C of FLEXOGRAPHY G F 28C anI 3 Range FLEXOGRAPHY AMagnification l Rating 6 Printability

TABLE

TABLE

distribution number bank.

Administrator

of the Universal Product

Code and UPC Symbol

29

easily be printed under high-volume production conditions. Most likely, powderless etching will have to be controlled as if the plate were in halftone, in order to reproduce the H and I sections. It is assumed that the area loss obtained with powderless etching is substantially less than the ink spread that will occur during printing. It is suggested, as an aside; that the print quality of the symbol and the printability gage could be upgraded in many situations by spotting these areas in with a higher durometer rubber than is normally used for plate molding. Further, it is believed to be advantageous and feasible to grind the back of the plate after shims have been spotted over the symbol area and printability gage so that these areas are slightly thinner than the remainder to the plate. Consequently, these more delicate areas could be printed with less impression than may be required for the more massive ink coverage in the art design.

4.2.3

Alternate

Method

Some companies prefer to work directly with dimensional tolerances. The following reference chart shows acceptable barwidth dimension tolerances versus minimum bar width. This chart should be used as a reference.

Module Width (Thousandths of an Inch)

Magnification Factor .85 .92

Total Bar-Width Tolerance (Thousandths of an Inch)

11
12 13 14

15
16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24

1. 00 1. 08

1.15

3 3.97 4.4 4.9

1. 23

1. 30
1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1.

5.4 6.3 6.8 7.2 7.7 8.2 8.6 9.1 9.6

5.8

;'5

38 46 54 62 69 77 84 92

distribution

number

bank.

Administrator

of the Universal Product

Code and UPC Symbol

30
4.3 SUMMARY

In summary, the steps to be followed in adjusting the UPC symbol to optimum size for printing within specifications under normal production conditions are outlined as follows: 1. 2. Incorporate the printability gage into each job.

Periodically inspect the printability gage print to determine the printability range and record the ratings. Based on the printability range, refer to the appropriate table and apply the recommended magnification factor to the symbol in the film-master state. Referring to the appropriate table, apply the indicated degree of undercut. (Steps 3 and 4 are reversed for flexography. ) Incorporate the modified symbol into the film assembly to be used for plate or cylinder preparation and proceed as usual. Print in a normal manner, with periodic checks of the printability gage to maintain the printing within the established printability range.

3.

4.

5.

6.

Ai

distribution number bank.

Administrator

of the Universal Product

Code and UPC Symbol

31

5.0

COLOR/CONTRAST

"

.\

Operation of the scanners is dependent on recognition of the difference between dark and light. The recognition can be affected by many factors, which are described in this section. As indicated below, many of these factors can best be measured through the use of a Wratten 26 filter. Many printers have equipment of this nature. Upon request, Distribution Number Bank will supply information on other sources for testing packages against these requirements. 5.1 REFLECTANCE

All reflectance measurements are to be made using equipment as specified in Section 5.2 with a Wratten 26 filter or equivalent and a 0.008-inch aperture. The reflective density required for the "dark" bars is a function of the reflective density of the particular "light" background being used. Figure 6 and Table 5 show the minimum "dark" bar density required for the permissible range of "light" background density. Thus, if the "light" background density is 0.0, the "dark" bar density must be greater than 0.3; and if the "light" background density is 0.5, the "dark" bar density must be greater than 1.6. 5.2 PRINT CONTRAST SIGNAL

All print contrast signal (PCS) measurements are to be made using equipment equivalent to a Kidder Optical Character Tester, Model 082 with a Wratten 26 filter and a 0.008-inch aperture. Print contrast signal is defined by:

PCS =

RL = percent RD = percent

reflectance reflectance

of the "light" background of the "dark" bars

All reflectance measurements shall be relative to 100-percent reflectance as determined with MgO or BaS04 and O-percent reflectance as determined with a black cavity. The PCS required is a function of the reflective density of the particular "light" background being used. Figure 6 and Table 5 show the minimum print contrast for the permissible range of "light" background densities.

distribution

number

bank.

Administrator

of the Universal Product

Code and UPC Symbol

32 FIGURE 6 - REFLECTIVE DENSITY AND PCS

100

90

-r-

,__

--

__ f...--

80 MINIMUM

pes
70

EITHER METHOD) 50

/ ./

60 1.5

'I

1.0 MINIMUM

"DARK"
BAR
:

DENSITY 0.5

,/

I I

0.1

0.2

0.3

0.4

0.5

-4----+-c-' I ! I I .0

"Light" Background Density

Ii

distribution number bank.

Administrator

of the Universal Product

Code and UPC Symbol

"

.175

LL- .8862 1.145 7.2 23.7 37.1 43.1 .583 84.1 .834 .818 11. 17.6 63.1 66.8 1.015 AND MIN. .921 31.6 44.7 6.2 .849 535 47.3 BACKGROUNDPCS 27.6 32.0 .653 .619 .543 .683 70.8 74.9 79.4 89.1 94.4 .625 .560 .430 .495 .365 .690 .801 .760 .737 50.1 53.1 56.2 8.3 9.6 .950 .820 .755 50.1 Percent .499 .904 .300 .896 080 .874 340 .862 Density .914 33.5 35.5 37.5 39.9 42.2 1.470 1.405 1.275 1.600 1. 1.210 4.6 2.9 3.4 3.9 5.3 2.5 5BARS Reflectance "DARK" - 100.0 Minimwn DENSITY, l..5 .1 REFLECTANCE, .712 Maximum

33

distribution

number

bank.

Administrator

of the Universal Product

Code and UPC Symbol

34 5.3 DENSITY

Density 5.4 GLOSS

is defined by the equation,

D = LoglO 1.
R

There are no current restrictions if the reflectance contrast specifications in Section 5.2 are met. 5.5 OPACITY

and print

There are no current restrictions if the reflectance contrast specifications in Section 5.2 are met. 5.6 COLOR

and print

Any combination of colors that will yield the reflectance print contrast specified in Section 5.2 can be used" to represent "dark" bars and "light" background.

and the

As a general guide to color selection, it is the cyan content of a color that yields the "dark" tone when viewed through the Wratten 26 filter; magenta and yellow correspond to the "light" tone. Inks used in the background area must be of subcifiently low gloss to enable the contrast requirement of Section 5.2 to be met. 5.7 VOIDS

Excessive numbers of large voids (poorly-inked areas within bars) may result in dark bars not being recognized. Areas with voids should be subjected to the tests and restrictions described in Section 5.2. 5.8 INK AND DIRT SPOTS

~ Excessive or large ink and dirt spots may result in light spaces being recognized as dark bars. Areas with ink or dirt spots should be subjected to the tests and restrictions described in Section 5.2. 5.9 SHOW-THROUGH

In some packages the product or some under material may show through the light areas to a sufficient extent that the lig~t will appear as dark to the scanner. Accordingly, in situations with this

distribution number bank.

Administrator

of the Universal Product

Code and UPC Symbol

35
potential problem, the finished product - not just the outer package should be subjected to the procedures for measuring contrast given in Section 5.2. TRANSPARENT WRAPPER

5.10

A transparent wrapper over the printed symbol tends to reduce contrast slightly. If a transparent wrapper is used over the printed sYmbol, the transparent wrapper shall be considered to be an integral part of the symbol and all reflectance measurements shall be made with the wrapper on the surface.

distribution

number

bank.

Administrator

of the Universal Product

Code and UPC Symbol

START

OF ADJACENT

START

OF ADJACENT

CHARACTERS

CHARACTERS @ MARGIN ~ 1..IOle-END OF~

;),31C? .000

+C1,So8
i'30~ 13J3~~ I I I I

II)

+0,:>08 lr;,~q

~. ec o
CIl

c..

i
I
"-

11
" ,..
....

I
1

"
~
\)~

:J :J C

3
ll) ..

~t ~ l.
_
...

I
I
I

eeo
:J l>

" '"

,
""'

I"'-

:zoo 1)... .

I
I

0...

N '"'

"'I"(

~'
"c
'"
.,..+ .:)-'

,....

i-, ~

~I
r(

"
~
.. 11'-1 :0-

~ :

rEND

MARGIN OF

I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I

"
~
s"
Ci;"

~~
-1-1
"'"

0-

"
~
("C

"

Os
: I
I

~~

, ".
~

:r-... c. .

:' t
t~

'"
1"5

~ .

~'~ ...

~
0" ...
sa.

>'

I r I

S'
CD

I I I
I

=
~"

;;;

~
""0

Q. c:
1 OJ

~I

() o

9'J~

+.000:

-", ,-S 'f

,

I It.
BARS

l
AND NUMBER

:3L
: I

I I

I'

~~

I 1. ~f'l4-ro/a7
TYPICAL LEFT UPC CHARACTER

I I I I
fYJt"f<ittf)IZl
CENTER PATTERN

81
I
I

I I I
I

I I

if-!
RIGHT CHECK CHARACTER TYPI CAL BARS

I I

TYPICAL

~
OJ

UPC CHARACTER

AND

:J Q.

MARGINGUARD SYSTEM ~EFT TYPICAL DIGIT

I MARGIN GUARD RIGHT

~
(I)

TOL.~ DO NOT SCALE ::: DRAWING TOLERANCES APPLY

TYPICAL 1 oobo8 DIMENSIONS 0

TO ARTWORK ONLY

'3

0!2.

L.':

..

""@

.J
Q. .. ..
<Il

IT c ..

~[Ol _L,\~~\1
~I~ ~
...

llll

I,~ 5(1 ~

001llllli

o
::J ::J

I
I

NOTES IT]

tE

~:i = ~;~:=~~: : j;gL[i;~~=~ =:: ~:;Y

NUfERS

j,,3J~

!' 0701~7

3 o
::J

~,3'

ARE OCR!b,&J/~

1-

IT

~ ..

...

IT
;c:-

~o

:to..

~~I r~N

ty

\"'>~

3
0..,

S'
0;'

iii

"'1S

~f.1 *~
Iti. (II'

~
CD

S
c: '"
~' Ol

" . ..>

I I

!!!.

~ 0..
<::

Q.

() o
0..
CD

o,f9 ~

12341"97890
~ ' I (]J../ Ot~ ., I
It.

Q) '"

~
It.

0..

c:

()

\l
0-

It.

~j19P

REFERENCE DRAWING FOR UPC SYMBOL "37,.941

-10469 ALL DIMENSIONS EX~PT REFEREN~ ONLY DO NOT SCALE WHERE NOTED ARE FOR

]'
!2.

DRAWING

W
-...J

38

z 0: a. (I) 0 u(I) 0:0 ~~ --l wz... 0 i=?g 0 <l: W WU 0: 0::: (J) ~ 0 ...>a: --l Z ~M ('J ~ '" Z i=? 3: lD ::> >Z

0 0
<t:

...J

...J <..9

~--

--------~

a 0'
'"
00 00

} ';1

!
-. . -I.--L-?:-' ~8e!Ta9~.
~9Q'- era'

rI)-z'-O-~-l.2l.-r-,,-~r~ t,Z/"o ~ 5S~ ..----.-.oo+~ ---Lura:; h."bl

-.-

--------.---.---..j;Q-ij',

61'

distribution number bank.

Administrator

of the Universal Product

Code and UPC Symbol

39

co 0 a: ~ >I
....J

CJ

W ::> ....J Cf)

0:

'" 0:: en a. "u ~0 a:: 0 g a:: Z 0 0 19 >z 0 '<:t >z ~ ~ '" ~ ~ ~0

~-------

_______ .0' 0 _______

------00 ------'"
_________
-----------------------------------------

==========='"

------~
('tl'" ~ t. tL 'It
9098"-;H~ S88~~

Lr\

::::::::::::::::::Lr\
=================N

-----------~
(tIft)
~_t;fE'S'
'00" - $l/,,"

lZl'O; lU'l:, (
~-----"s;g"'Q'''"

-~a'i:i:I""@"~-'-'-------1

distribution

number

bank.

Administrator

of the Universal Product

Code and UPC Symbol

40

a: 0 co 0
Cf)

<I ... ...J u'" '" ... UJz ... '"

z , 0<{ "'0 UJU 0::: ~g 0 Z ro 0 ~~ :J >- : ~ -l Zt ~C9 ~ CJ

<IU") ...J Q. ",<I >-

__--.t..

_______ 0 _______ 0'

------00
_________

-----_1'==========='"
---------------------------------------

:::::::::::::::=~ ------rt) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~=N

Ln

----------_.~
~OOi~9"

'-~('" {:l Z'{'"(I

SOO':;; 216'

L7.lro+

e.5/rff

distribution

number

bank.

Administrator

of the Universal Product

Code and UPC Symbol

+o,5""De
4,.6",'"

cr

fI~
NOTES

Cl.

'"

...

t~ c
...

:J :J
C

" ~l

1r1mllll
I
.

ttl I
....

J,3/d;
(6X) NUMBERS ARE OCR-B

.:>,CI2.
-F'llll'''":l:

OJ

..oem MAY ".ARY :;OO~

ell) .,
eo
:J :b
Q.

~~I
.....

l' N
_

"
3
:i" iii'

iii
0"
...,

,
I
I I

;. I
0'"

-'

"-

"

"-

~.

~~

(Of, ::;

,...-. l"'c

1'- ~i
~ ->..=-

a:

"
CO)

~.'-O~

11-0'" "'"
\.l\'"

1'\

r'(
"

~
S'
CD

c: ::>
~.
Ol

~
iF
Q. c:
Q.

j
~
+.000 O,9YQ>_~~:1I'
..

'
~.. ~~g
ZERO SUPPRESSION SYMBOL
NUMBER SYSTEM I ABOVE SYMBOL REPRESENTS 07834 00009 TOLERANCES APPLY TO ARTWORK ONLY DO NOT SCALE

C)

o
CD

Q. III
::>

3J.n~+O/S"()~

Q.

~
CIl

DRAWING 6

'3

0-

.l::-

t-'

tl:>-

N
a
@

.11
RIGHT

RIGHT

:I.~ :
LEFT ~ RIGHT

NOTE OJ TYPICAL WIDTH OF ONE CHARACTER

o 33ef:'

I.]ke 0,
I:
~ I I I J)6Sf>

~c>p~
IjTil' ..

8J
0Ul

'j ~~,h
/) 3C1.q,

I, pi:;
~

~ :I
:11

III

~o,H5 I II :
! ~O,,?r
II

'~176't:t
1

~I.

LJk
I I
I

l~o,
f,'~()
I I

IY ~
;l.

r;05 ~ol

I 0 I

:Irs

:!. 0-

-+

I
I

I
I

c -+
:J :J C
CD

:I.C)I.:
0)35 o}'i'i~' I) ~;):>

5
I:
I ~

: .1
()/i'
.&~oll
: I I

: /7f(

~
: I

~068S
I

00o
:J
'"

I
'13-<~

I.lJ!oo,JJt->
~I

.,

,0640

ft'l
I
I

.~

I[llI
I

ppr:;

~(} olyf~ 'I ~V'i8l.>

,'::~~~~II.Q520 I)

3 ~~

-II
I I I I

IlP ~ ~
&9te"'REF OJ

I I

I) c.S~

l>

I I

s
Q1

~
'1/ G

~.
0' .. g,
(I)

II.G) -.lrlilll I IIlL c)J'~~

I

I I I

~) ?I\
CHARACTE~~JACENT

II. I 6 III
I I'I 6541 .%-

:
:

II
("
0,..101\'

~STARTOF

II

s
=

I) 3;)~

-1

~~I

_mo
. I

oJ'r9~

I) 0. r

.0646 I
I

~.
Cil

I
I I

'"

~660 I I I I

'1'75

I/i~~' l,"~

11
I
1

Il-.oUo () M~' I I
1

~~~~~ o,3~:J11
~ IJ~ ~'9'fO'_1
I
I_

I ==--III, I
I I

I.OJ~"',~9.p ~~O'7J~
I I I I I

',plSl.01'30 I I

."

I
I

a
<::

Q.
Q.

I
I

I I I I I

0/'
GUARD

~i' ~

I I~I .02601
'()~90'
I

ill
,
I

1 ' ,(\: LEFT

-'6l'

MIN f:'

I
I) 1.5 ~ I
~ol I

() o
Q.
(I)

I I:
I

33\
v

~iloII
I

,o~
_I -

o3Jd

~.6 ~S~,
J

'"
::>

Q.

~~ .all
1 :lr7B~
REF

1~650 I

~~t
II
.o7s.d I
I

(V. II

11
I

I .ot3O"C I I

JJ&""

I.ill 0, {~

c .tTLro~.1

~
en

,
--'lSlQ-

~o
I

')'f8~

.;l'~
')31~

II.~I,J~~
..0&40 I ,~ I I
.'90910"' REF OJ

/'

CENTER PATTERN
EDGE ,,-r-RIGHT

"

I~

I I ,0260 ~ r,.; J

'

r.

i'

'3 0-

fl

I
I ~REFOJ .6910 RE F

7 ENCODATION CHART REGULAR SYMBOL DRAWING

ARTWORK TOLERANCES~ DO NOT SCALE

" 01

'1,1\

;),

Jt {>

~131t

;..J.3El 3,3t~

MIN

o,ccr;"o8

RIGHT GUARD

ODD

EVEN

ODD

EVEN

i
@

I.
III

,000
I

4
I I I I I I

~.vfN

NOTE OJ TYPICAL WIDTH OF ONE CHARACTER

.1
.. ~.
CIl

O)33~

~I
.~ ~I

0,

bC,A:1

I .

a..

cr

c ..

))3;;1 ~ .emu I I I I

~E
OJ9'Tr!!(

0JI

1)6S6?,

,5~'I '~ II'

I

'<l.JU,11

:&~6~

OIJ.l~
~130

1/"J~4111
(13
':l

o,3~5
oJ
J

:.JI
1

C'

6'1
,

..G2&ri_

~~eJ)I
I'
I I I I I I

',<j

~4?

19~1

'.~

I,psdl
,(l6!>O'

~t''i ~I

:~.I
:-e9IQ

.~o

f'1~
'J..

'1

:l :l C
cr
CD

I. I
).. i~

I I

.1
III

I~

, I

..,

() 'i'i&.
J

cr
Q

~ 1&11'1 I
..0549~~

\ ,;l c\.0520 I

:l :I'
~ ~
Ql

I) b J.s OJ3o~

-,
I
1

.lU.1
'I'

{
1 1 1

l/i~~B<4

I
I I I

~.
0' ... g,
CD

o b3S
)

~~I
111

I.'.
I I I I I I I
1

I I I

II.
~
{I'f~

I I I I I I I

I}

0,. J
-:0130

0, 66~

~JJI

OJ97~ 1).3~()

-.0390 /) '7~ ki
:G78D"

.5n~

o/~1'Q ~ :
I .052~ \ 3d.'ll~1 I ~ I
--REF OJ

.0650 I) 6.5 6(
.&91&' REF OJ

J'l31~

J.,j'f~

III
CJ,:J3,,?

S
=

1)3~

.~b

l)p~~1 I, G'" :"

~e-

:er30

'i

" ._-6

~.
<J1

~ a Q.
c:
Q.

"
o,,3A
Cj
I.

I I
I I I

il
1 1

:
~EFT EDGE

II
~28'0 O,666?

o,b6/S(
Cl,
. fI39Er"

.~o1<;~

I +1 I OI>3d< III

: ~III
I
I

.,Q309O 0, "7cr.1

'f,6J-tI? -:t&f

MIN

C)

o
CD

3
III

I
~:V'3>S ~')P".)
I .691eREF OJ .-95fE>

LEFT

GUARD

Q. ::l Q.

:1

0,665
(), 9

.J1JI

1111
I I I
.'), /34.> 1,3;>''11

;I,~
1'f7'\
EDGE

6,,~
0:

.~lo
I'
I I
I

.1

f~ ~I I' .93'90

'f

f ~1-S0
n

~JHJ~

]' 0S2.

--I
II

I'

3' I t)(~""'~11 ~I"'" I", , III~~' I~IGHT

IJ ...Qe2Q

':0910" REF

~r3/~

~,3d

~KrREFOJ

'~REF

l<fg~

~II,6'>
1..

--111

I I

-iii
..1<0- MIN

J,JIIl

'..G7~0 ~ I RIGHT

I 3, '3~
GUARD

ENCODATION CHART ZERO SUPPRESSION SYMBOL DO NOT SCALE C', c'oSOr

ARTWORK TOLERANCES

DRAWING

~ w

-.

UNIVERSAL

PRODUCT CODE

June 29, 1973

TO: All UGPCC members and other holders of UPC Symbol manual dated May 1973 CORRIGENDUM

Specification

(Please make the following "pen and ink" changes attach this sheet to that document.)

to your manual

and

Page 1.

6:

Figure

1 - UPC Standard

Symbol

Left Light Margin Minimum 7 Modules Wide Change: "7" should read "11" Number System Character Change: Position shown as bottom left of left-hand guard bars should be shown as midpoint left of left-hand guard bars

2.

Page 12 1. Last paragraph in 2.0, second line, dele~e the word "lower" and substitute the word "middle" so the paragraph will read: "The human-readable character identifying the encoded number system will be shown in the middle left-'hand margin of the symbol as per Figure 1 (and Drawings 2, 3, 4, and 5)." Second paragraph of 2.1, first sentence, delete the number "1.4892" and substitute the number "1.4984" so the sentence will read: "When the modules are of nominal size, the regular symbol (including human-readable characters) will have an area of 1.4984 square inches including the light margins (1.469 x 1. 020) ."

2.

Page 27 . Delete the entire second sentence in the first full paragraph, which reads: "In practice, the photographer probably would shoot for a full 10 percent enlargement."

distribution number bank 1725 k street, n.w. washington,

d.c. 20006

(202) 833-1134

Administrator of the Universal Product Code and UPC Symbol for the Uniform Grocery Product Code Council

Appendix A
L

L+~r
/3~6,::J
V tf,,L.. ~,"6 VFOR SYMBOL PRINTERS

GROCERY UPC SYMBOL TOLERANCES

The purpose of this document is to provide symbol printer sup':::.~sl/fn~

~h)
~

scan system suppliers with symbol tolerances These can be used to facilitate that tolerances apply to the the development of in-store printing printers. printed symbol whereas tolerances shown in the symbol specification (except for page 29) refer to the symbol in the film master state. These tolerances

L/ .

are not intended to replace Width Single Bar the printability f.; .'

Bar Width
I/
I r ~4.42 +,5.22'I;/,f, I' .' Iil,JI./ I, -4.06 + + + .,-' , .t./ .:'" ++, 3.37+..," - . I ."j + (.3.77,+./ If+ + -<" /, + 0T++ 7.23 1.00 7.70 2.05 5.51 1.32 5.83 3.08 5.80 1.47,/ (-:I" /+ '11 f,:/"+;'I't{1.75 ' ! 3.67 7.25 9.58 4.93 6.67 2.93 9..- + 2.79 1.91 6.09 2.90 2.49 3.5(2) 4.35 3.97 + I - ,6.96w'-':~..2.35 i .';' (.I "i +++ 6~7;L._ 3.23
"

Tolerance
+ 1: 4.89 ++ ; '. , +' /0.01 3.00 8.17 8.64 2.20 2.64 6.30 1.60 5.36
I

gauge appr~achl Edge to Edge Within Character

\1:

--

'1('

I'j.p~, /

iTf

I':"~.)l;

II

Character to Character

i,7._

(1/'.1)

1
.,

2.00-

,..

: , ," + f 1

III I 'I 12-''.:) ',' ;;'rf 4.64 / 3.48 3.19 6.38

" 1

;/.- , /, I

; I

29 of Symbol Specification 2.61 I

.. ,

i
I

i
\.
f

I i

..

;;

SUGGESTED

SYMBOL

TOLERANCES

~/~e::t' 6 ~
I'crt /

T h e purpo 0 f t h'IS d ocument IS to aCl"1'" Itate t h e d eve lY' opment 0 Instor~---;J.j 'f ~f~.h;J ,/,._ L symbol printers t at will function properly along'with source marked symbols "printed in accordan e with the UPC Symbol Specification. These tolerances are not intended for use n lieu of the p,rintability gauge approach described in the UPC Symbol Specification.
IV. ~.:l~ rc1.:1 Tac. Z.

AR
Single Bar Width Thousandths
/'

e
Edge to Edge Within Each Character Thousandths Character to Character Thousandths + 4.9 ~-:c.. + 5. 3
" A

Bar Width Tolerance Thousandths

I} 12 13
,

'+2
+ 3 + 3.97
..

tl~ + 2.5 z.~ + ~. 5

~

2.~

+ 4.0

S'11 + 5.7 If tirTtt

,. I
,~~

14 15

+ 4.4

3,0 + 4.5 ~. ,...+ 5. 0

+ 6. 1 Tl> + 6.5
.

16
17 18 19
20 21 22 23 24 25 + 8.2

>.~ + ~. 6

r0
fARm!

1. D
"4

6. 9

N~ .

'3.' + 6. 1
1~,,+7.1 T.

f.(+ 7,"3 + 7.7

"3.8 + 6. 6 ~~A:

7f}

11_'l 'C.--, 'Z

2,.'3_+8.1

~t
+ 8.6 + 9. 1
1+

+~.61

cf.7+85 + 8.9
:!:

: 8.6 I + 8.1
+ 9.1 + 9.6

9. 3/ + 9.7
+ 10.1 + 10.5

I-

9.6

C 6l-pfic.T

1>

Let'--

'Cf

A-7~
I(
...,...,

ItV

;~

t:f7 -/l-C

e
c:J

/(

t5.P

tr(;) Lou-t--j)

(UF0
/f

?>~4.-J L'~

!'vt0.M!

tP1~1L
tt1/ IlItf tJ!(~/"C

drJfr'7~~)~, I /L~;-r--e .&/J~ ~ /0 fU/c;c ~ ?-~ cJ CV CC d//l a7fT c/i

(~. LC;J?L-"ka

? r.:-&t-J' {1v6f2,. A1~~ /?

10 Me

/r

Ct:7?tu/.4M1?r

!J~~