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GS1 DataMatrix

GS1 DataMatrix is a variant of the Data Matrix symbology that conforms to GS1 specifications. A GS1 DataMatrix symbol always begins with the Function Code 1 (FNC1) character and uses application identifiers to separate different types of data within the barcode. GS1 DataMatrix is used in the aerospace, medical device manufacturing, and pharmaceutical industries, as well as by the US Department of Defense.

GS1 DataMatrix inherits the specifications for its character set and dimensions from Data Matrix.

ClosedThe Symbology Structure

GS1 DataMatrix is capable of encoding 1 to 2000 characters of data per barcode. The perimeter of each barcode consists of a solid line on the left and bottom edges and a dotted line on the right and top edges. Data Matrix uses a Cyclic Redundancy Check (CRC) for error correction.

Per the GS1 specification, all GS1 DataMatrix barcodes have a symbol type of ECC 200. Only the characters contained in the ISO 646 subset may be encoded into a GS1 DataMatrix symbol.

ClosedError Correction

GS1 DataMatrix supports Reed-Solomon error correction, which allows the barcode to be read even if up to 20% of the code is damaged. This allows for greater margin for error in print quality and contrast than other symbologies.

ClosedApplication Identifiers

Every GS1 symbol contains one or more application identifiers in addition to the data it encodes. An application identifier is a sequence of characters that relates a data string to a physical or logical thing, such as an item number, serial number, or due date.

Each application identifier tells the user what type of data follows; additionally, each one defines the length and data format of that same data string. Some application identifiers specify data fields containing a fixed number of characters, while others specify a variable length data field.

When customizing barcodes, use the GS1 Application Identifier Data Source Wizard to walk you through the process of adding application identifiers to your barcode and formatting the required data input for each one.

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