SD260L/SD360/SD460 Installation and Administrator’s Guide 25Bar Code Size A lower density bar code is easier to read, because the bars are wider and spaced fartherapart. The width of the narrow elements in the bar code must be large enough to be readconsistently. The capabilities of the bar code reader can influence this. The bar code must be tall enough to be read under normal conditions.Bar Code Print Settings To achieve the best quality printing and improve the readability of the bar code, use the K(black) panel of color print ribbon to print the black bars. Bar codes printed with YMC panelsare not as crisp and sharp as those printed with the K panel only. Refer to the printer’s DriverGuide or the documentation for your card personalization software for more informationabout how to print bar codes using the K panel. Infrared readers require that the K panel be used to print the bar code.Test Bar CodesAlways test the readability of bar codes under production conditions. Factors to consider include: If you print cards one at a time, print the samples using that method. If you print cards inbatch (many cards sent to the printer at the same time), use a production-sized batch andevaluate cards from the beginning, middle, and end of the batch. Use exactly the same card stock for testing that you use for production. The card stock canaffect the readability of bar codes. Usually, a white surface that reflects light in manydirections is needed. Test cards before purchasing production quantities. Include other card design components that you use in production, such as topcoat. Use the same bar code readers as users have, and test each card multiple times to simulateany wear the card might experience. Also test multiple cards.
