Bar Code Standards - The Graphic Design: Reference and Specification - page 134

g u i d e to c o l o r - c o r r e c t
b a r c o d i n g
The key to printing a bar code that can be
optically scanned is selecting a color that
contrasts sufficiently with its background
that the scanner can distinguish between
the bars and the background. Coming up
with the right combination means check-
ing the background reflectance value of
your substrate and combining it with an
ink color that contrasts sufficiently.

Table 1: UPC Versions A&E and
EAN 8 & 13*

Column A Column B

Background Reflectance (%) Ink Reflectance (%)

31.6 2.5

35 3.3

40 4.6

45 6.3

50 8.3

55 10.6

60 13.3

These are the reflectance values of some
common papers. The lighter the color, the
higher its reflectance value:

65 16.4

70 19.8

75 23.7

Substrate Reflectance Value (%) 80 28.1

85 32.9

Natural Kraft 26 -43

90 38.1

Mottled 56 -77

Bleached 77-87

*Bar codes for U.S. products are designat-
ed as UPC versions A and E. Bar codes for
European products are designated as EAN
8 and 13. UPC version E and EAN version
13 are small-scale bar codes intended for
use on small products or containers such
as lip balm.

Inks have a reflectance value as well.
Darker colors have a lower reflectance
value than lighter colors. To see if the
reflectance value of your ink color is low
enough to contrast with the substrate
on which it will be printed, check its
reflectance value and compare it with the
reflectance value of your substrate. The
tables following list substrate reflectance
values in column A and ink reflectance
values in column B for UPC and EAN bar
codes. Find the reflectance value of your
substrate in column A and read across to
column B to find the maximum reflectance
value of your ink color. Example: If your
substrate is natural kraft with a reflec-
tance value of 31%, the reflectance value
of your ink must be 2.5% or less. (A series
of charts listing reflectance values of com-
mon CMYKcolors follows this section.)

(Table 1 was excerpted from The Bar Code Color Book,
a book published by Symbology, Incorporated. Contact
Symbology for a more complete guide on color-correct
bar code printing, including color reflectance values
for Pantone® colors, at 800.328.2612 (in Minnesota
612.315.8080).