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Knowledge Base

Generating Barcodes

Note: If your database is empty, you’ll first need to fill it either with values directly entered or autofilled. This tutorial shows you only how to view and save those values as barcode images.

It is important to note you do not need to use barcodes or QR codes generated by the CodeREADr platform. In fact, most clients generate their own barcodes and just upload the barcode values to databases on our servers.

If you prefer, you can use CodeREADr to generate QR code images and then merge the images into printed media and/or electronic media (email, web, etc.). You then can distribute the images with whatever tools you have for your application.

View and Save One Barcode at a Time

To generate barcodes through the database menu, do the following:

  1. First, click on the ‘Databases’ link on the navigation menu.
  2. Second, click on the database (or its Edit button) from which you would like to generate barcodes.
  3. Third, click on the barcode link on the top right side of any barcode value entry to generate a barcode image.
barcode link

You can right click to “Save Image As”

Barcode value example

Bulk Export Barcode Images

QR code images can be exported in bulk from the Databases page or the Tasks page.

Click “Export” on the  Database page or “Export Barcodes” on the Tasks page. Once the generation task is complete, you can directly download the ZIP file including all your images. We also send you an email with a link to download a ZIP file.

Standard vs. Branded Barcodes

Without a paid plan you can generate both Standard and Branded QR codes for testing purposes. A Standard QR code includes just the QR code and associated human-readable text. Branded QR codes can be customized with an image and text.

If you’ve signed up for at least a 5-Device paid plan, you can generate a large number of QR codes. You can upgrade to a paid plan and downgrade back to the Free Plan as needed.

There is a limit of 100MB per generation request. The number of QR codes that limit represents depends on the image used and the QR code size. The typical size for a Standard QR code is 5KB. The typical size of a Branded QR code is 25KB (assumes small image size – e.g. 120×120 pixels).

  • Standard ~ 20,000 QR codes (typical).
  • Branded ~ 4,000 QR codes (typical)

If the number of values in your database could create an export file larger than the 100MB limit, please contact bizdev@codereadr.com. Learn more about branded QR codes.

Printing Barcodes

IMPORTANT: To print your exported QR codes on labels we recommend that you purchase label sheets (Avery, etc.) where the entire sheet is a single, adhesive-backed label. Once printed you can then cut it to size. Also, we would suggest you print

Here are some alternatives to printing the QR codes generated by our service:

  1. Use an online service like Online Labels for pre-printing custom barcode labels. There’s a broad choice of label sizes and types with very low minimum orders. We would suggest using Code 128 barcodes and using their Excel or CSV upload feature for the values to be printed.
  2. Use a Google Sheets Add-On to generate sheets with barcodes for printing and also save images to Google Drive. The Bulk Barcode Generator is free with a PRO upgrade (if needed).
  3. Buy a desktop program like iBarcoder for PC and MAC (<$50) or a program like those offered by ID Automation.
  4. Buy standard or custom pre-printed labels from a professional label printer. Examples include broad-line provider Maverick Label and durable provider ImageTek.
  5. Buy a label printer desktop or portable label printer from companies like Dymo. They have PC/MAC-connected printers like the LabelWriter 450 and mobile Rhino Industrial 4200 and similar models. Also, these devices can print Code 39 and Code 128 barcodes. Importantly, we would recommend Code 128.
  6. Buy our pre-printed labels with a database ($249.50 for 5,000 labels).
  7. Buy variable data plastic cards with barcodes printed by suppliers like Plastic Printers, costing roughly $0.50 to $2.50 per card depending on volume and type. Also, embedded RFID/NFC chips are available.
  8. Buy wristbands with QR codes, barcodes, or RFID/NFC chips from suppliers like ID & C. Importantly, they supply wristbands for large and small events alike, including some of the world’s largest festivals.
  9. Need to generate a barcode or QR code for testing? Try the ID Automation Free Barcode Generator with our SD PRO scan engine.

Note 1: If you can choose the type of barcode to use, we highly recommend 2D barcodes for accuracy and speed, especially QR codes. However, CodeREADr can scan up to 50 different barcode languages. So we’ve got you covered!

Note 2: If you order QR Code labels from a printing company, be sure they use Model 2 (or later). Also, before deploying your 1D or 2D barcode labels, test scanning with the iOS and/or Android OS devices you plan to use.

Note 3: If you order pre-printed labels, FOBs, or cards you will likely want to order extra cards for future use. The barcode (or QR code) “value” on all cards should be numeric or alphanumeric, random or sequential. For example, if you are creating an ID card, the value might be “a_00001”. If you know the name of the person in advance, you can put that on the card, too. However, you don’t have to do that. Instead, in your uploaded CodeREADr CSV file, you could have the barcode value in column 1 and the person’s name and other personal info in column 2. In that way, the app user will see the name after scanning the barcode.

Inserting QR Codes to Email and other Electronic Media

Mail Merge

You can use Mail Merge to insert your exported images into documents, emails, etc. While there Mail Merge applications available for Excel, Word, etc., look here for instructions on how to Mail Merge with Gmail and Google Sheets.

API Integration

Developers can use an API call to insert barcode values singularly or in bulk to databases on our servers and then use another API call to generate a QR code to display each value in electronic media, such as email, messaging, and web pages.