====Barcodes for Part Numbers==
=== Part number characters ===
Part numbers most often contain letters and/or numbers (i.e. alphanumeric).  In order to print these, then a UPC or EAN barcode like on a manufacturer's package will not work, unless you only use UPCs and EAN codes for all of your parts.  This because UPCs and EANs only print numbers, and they have mathematical check-digit at the end that must be exact and match the barcode assign by www.GS1.org to the particular item.
=== Bar code symbologies===
So, a **Code 39** (also called 3 of 9) or a **Code 128** barcode must be used to print alphanumeric characters in barcode format.
Some customers have had good luck using Code 39 for their labels.  If this works for you, then go ahead.  However, as seen in the example below, using a Code 128 label can be a good choice instead.
=== Bar code width ===
All barcodes have an **X dimension**, which is the width, in thousandths of an inch, of the narrowest element (bar or space) in a barcode. This is usually referred to in **mil**. So a .002" bar width would be referred to as a 2-mil label. As we will see in the screenshot below, the minimum X Dimension for reliable day-to-day use is 2-mil.  However, a well maintained printer may print a 1-mil barcode using the right label and ribbon format (also shown below)
=== Wide-to-Narrow ratio ===
This is how much wider are the wide bars than the narrow bars, and is limited by the symbology and printer used.  Code 39 can be 1:2, 2:5, or 1:3.  Whereas, Code 128 can be 1:2, 1:3, and 1:4.
=== Quiet zone ===
Barcodes need some white space on the left and right side of them for a barcode to scan properly.  This should be **10 times the width of the mil size**.  So a 1-mil barcode needs a quiet zone of 0.010" or 2.5mm, and likewise a 2-mil barcode needs a quiet zone of 0.020" or 5.1mm.


UNDER CONSTRUCTION