Bar code image validation
Get your bar code image right every time

Inaccurately printed bar codes don’t scan properly, which wastes time and money and can even result in your products being rejected.

There are 2 ways to ensure your bar codes are correct:

• Image validation: post us your bar code image before you print your packaging or label
  Complete your bar codes for validation now (pdf) 
  
  
• Full verification: send your final printed product samples to a GS1 Solution Provider
  Find a GS1 Solution Provider offering full verification. You'll need to log in to search for our solution providers

What is image validation?
Our image validation service checks your bar code images are likely to print properly. We send you a report outlining any changes you need to make.

What we check
When we validate your images, we check that:

• the GTIN (Global Trade Item Number) is in the correct format with the correct use of the company prefix and a valid check digit.
• the light margins around the bar code symbol are large enough.
• colours are used appropriately.
• the bar code is within the right range of sizes and proportions (the final size will depend on print quality tests).
• the bar code is positioned correctly on your product.

Image validation availability
We can currently validate these GS1 bar codes and labels:

1. EAN-13 or EAN-8 bar codes on consumer units
2. EAN-13, GS1-128 or ITF-14 bar codes on traded (outer-case) units
3. GS1 logistics label for pallets and other transport items

What does image validation cost?

A submission can include up to 3 bar codes or labels. All new GS1 UK members can make one submission free-of-charge within the first 12 months of joining.

Submit your bar codes for validation (pdf)  
Find out more about bar code image validation (pdf) (13KB)