Code 391D
Letters + numbers · legacy / DoD
Reference · Barcode & label
A field guide to the barcodes on your dock.
The barcode types below are the ones that actually cross a receiving dock and what's encoded in each one. Flowtally scans them all with a photo to accompany every scan.
Linear · 1D
Laser-readable. Low data, no error correction.
Code 1281D
Full ASCII · high density
GS1-1281D
Logistics · pallets · SSCC
GS1-128 label complianceUPC-A / EAN-131D
Retail checkout
ITF-141D
Shipping cartons
GS1 DataBar1D
Small items · produce
Matrix & stacked · 2D
Camera-read. High data, Reed-Solomon error correction.
QR Code2D
Consumer-scannable · marketing
Data Matrix2D
Tiny parts · medical UDI
PDF4172D
IDs · boarding passes
Aztec2D
Transit tickets
MaxiCode2D
Parcel carrier sortation
How they differ
Linear · 1D vs. Matrix · 2D
Character set
1DNumeric / alphanumeric
2DFull ASCII + binary
Capacity
1DTens of characters
2DUp to kilobytes
Error correction
1DNone / check digit
2DReed-Solomon; survives damage
Reader
1DLaser / linear imager
2DCamera imager
Common questions from the dock.
What is the difference between a 1D and a 2D barcode?
A 1D barcode encodes data in the widths of vertical bars: a short string, with little tolerance for damage. A 2D barcode stores data in a grid, packing in far more, and its error correction lets it read even when part of the label is scuffed or torn.
Which barcode symbologies show up on inbound freight?
Mostly Code 128 and GS1-128 on carton and pallet labels, UPC or EAN on retail goods, and ITF-14 on shipping cases. QR and Data Matrix turn up on newer labels and small parts, and PDF417 rides along on some shipping documents.
Can one scanner read all of these barcodes?
A camera-based imager reads both 1D and 2D symbologies in a single pass. Older laser scanners only read 1D linear barcodes and cannot decode QR, Data Matrix, or PDF417 at all.
Do damaged or wrinkled labels still scan?
Often. A clean quiet zone, the blank margin around the code, and good print contrast matter most, and 2D error correction recovers a read even when part of the label is torn. When a label truly will not read, receiving keys the number in by hand and flags it.
Every scan is saved with its photo and timestamp.
Flowtally checks label compliance on every scan. Timestamped, searchable, and yours.