Barcode Artwork Test

Reprinting your packaging costs far more than a barcode. This test checks your artwork before you print, while fixes are still free.

You email us a PDF of your barcode artwork. We print it and test it on the same equipment we use for official verification reports. Then we email you a graded report.

  • Barcode Artwork Test

    £12 per barcode

    Find out whether your barcode will scan before it goes to print, and what to fix if it won’t.

     

    Add to basket

Is this the right test for you?

  • You’re about to send packaging to print: Yes, this is what the test is for.
  • A retailer has asked for a verification report: No. You need an official verification report (£35), which is done on your printed packaging.
  • Your packaging is already printed: No. Get a verification report instead.
  • You just want to check the size: Compare it with our barcode dimensions first. It’s free, and size is the most common problem.

What to send

After ordering, email us a PDF of your barcode artwork:

  • A4 or smaller
  • At 100% size, not scaled to fit the page

A barcode that has been shrunk to fit the page will test as the wrong size.

What you get back

A report with your overall grade and the measurements behind it. A to C is a pass. D and below is a fail. If it fails, the report shows what caused it, such as the size or the blank margins, so you know what to change.

Sample reports:

What this test won’t tell you

We print your artwork in black and white on a laser printer. The test checks the barcode design, but not how your final printing will turn out.

It won’t pick up problems caused by:

  • your print colours
  • your packaging material
  • ink spreading
  • curved or shiny surfaces
  • seams or folds

Those only show up on the finished packaging, which is what a verification report is for.

Passing this test makes it much more likely you’ll pass verification later. It doesn’t replace verification.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need this or a verification report?
If a retailer asked for a report, you need a verification report. If you’re checking your own work before printing, you need this test.

Can I test several barcodes?
Yes. Buy one test per barcode.

What if it fails?
Fix the artwork and test it again. Each test is a separate purchase. Most problems are about size or blank margins, which cost nothing to fix in the file.

Will a pass mean retailers accept my barcode?
No. Retailers that ask for verification want a report on the printed packaging. This test is a check for you, not a document to send them.