| Many of us take them for granted, but bar codes | | | | in order to function properly. That, of course, is |
| really are an integral part of just about every | | | | the reason that most bar codes are printed in a |
| piece of food packaging. Unreadable or unusable | | | | bold, black and white pattern. Even if the |
| bar codes present a major problem in many | | | | packaging you're using includes many different |
| ways, which is why designing packaging with | | | | colours, then, take care to designate a blank |
| clearly defined bar codes is so critical. | | | | space for the bar code to be emblazoned. It will |
| Must Be Clearly Visible - | | | | make the packaging more usable and effective, |
| Plan the position of the bar code in advance as | | | | and it won't compromise the effectiveness of the |
| you work on the concept designs of your food | | | | bar code. |
| packaging. The goal here is to place the bar code | | | | Make The Bar Code Clear - |
| in an easily accessible place where it won't be | | | | As tempting as it might be to squeeze the bar |
| obscured or obstructed by things like seals and | | | | code on your food packaging in as an |
| seams. At the same time, it should be in a spot | | | | afterthought, the fact is that you really must |
| where cashiers and others won't have to search | | | | make accommodations for it from the get-go. |
| endlessly for it. The code should be large enough | | | | When these codes don't have clearly defined |
| to stand out readily, and shouldn't be squashed | | | | borders - when they are squished in amongst a |
| together with a lot of graphics or text. In other | | | | jumble of graphics or text, for instance - they |
| words, it should be placed in a way that makes it | | | | don't work as well. Similarly, if reflective or glossy |
| useful and not a nuisance. | | | | material is being used, bar codes might not work |
| Taking Colour Into Consideration - | | | | as well. While you want your packaging to make |
| Brightly coloured food packaging can definitely add | | | | your product more appealing - and to protect |
| to a product's appeal. However, slapping a bar | | | | your product - you also want it to be useful. |
| code over certain colours can render it nearly | | | | Having a clear, readable bar code can help it be |
| unusable. Indeed, thee codes rely on high contrast | | | | just that. |