Modifying Barcodes: Myths and Reality

When it comes to altering barcodes, several misconceptions often arise. In this article, we will explore common questions and provide accurate information to clarify whether or not it's possible to modify barcodes without causing issues with scanning or security.

Can You Print Modified Barcodes?

As barcodes are printed, it's not possible to directly alter them through printing alone. If you're considering modifying an existing barcode, you would need to reprint the barcode with the desired changes and overlay it on the original. This approach, while doable, requires careful planning to ensure the new barcode isn't too noticeable or inconsistent with the original.

Is It Acceptable to Modify Existing Barcodes for Product Updates?

Generally speaking, it's not recommended to try and modify an existing barcode for product updates. The best practice is to create a new barcode. This approach maintains consistency and avoids potential confusion for consumers and businesses. Modifying an existing barcode can lead to discrepancies and may not be accepted by the supply chain.

Is It Possible to Alter a Barcode Without Getting Caught?

Attempting to alter a barcode without getting detected is extremely challenging, if not practically impossible. Barcoders, scanners, and decoding algorithms are designed with numerous checks and balances to ensure barcode integrity. Even a slight alteration, such as a thin bar becoming thick, or a missing or added bar, can render the barcode unreadable and trigger an error. Barcode scanners can identify and reject any tampered barcodes, and a supervisor will likely be alerted.

How Barcodes Work

Barcodes are essentially images with specific patterns of bars and spaces. There are various formats, such as 1D (one-dimensional) and 2D (two-dimensional) barcodes, each with its own encoding scheme. The "checks and balances" built into the decoding algorithms ensure that barcodes are read accurately. A good barcode decoding algorithm will not guess if the symbol is not optimal, and the encoding/decoding scheme of a good barcode symbology ensures that any alterations will be flagged.

Can You Invent Your Own Barcode?

Creating your own barcode is theoretically possible, but it's highly unlikely to be useful. Barcodes are intended for specific systems and industries, and the combination of stripes or dots in each barcode contains a specific combination of letters and numbers that mean something to the particular system it goes with. Invent a barcode, and it's likely to be meaningless and unreadable, similar to making up a password or a serial number. While you can create your own barcode pattern, it will not serve any practical purpose in the real world.

Cheers, Caroline Fields.