Code 128-B Barcode Maker (Single or Bulk) - Shripada.com

What Is Code 128B Barcode?

Code 128B is a barcode format designed for encoding printable text, including both uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, spaces, and common symbols.

It is one of the three character subsets used by the Code 128 barcode standard. While the three subsets belong to the same barcode family, each is designed for a different type of data.

Code 128B is especially useful when the original text contains a mixture of characters and letter case needs to remain unchanged.

For example, a value such as: Order-Ab52X

contains uppercase letters, lowercase letters, and numbers. Code 128B can encode this type of printable text without requiring the lowercase characters to be changed to uppercase.

It supports the printable ASCII characters from space (ASCII 32) through tilde (ASCII 126), giving it access to letters, numbers, punctuation, and common keyboard symbols.

Some examples of data that can be encoded using Code 128B include:

The important point is that uppercase and lowercase characters are treated as different characters. So ABC123 and abc123 represent different input values when encoded.

Code 128A vs Code 128B

Code 128A and Code 128B are both subsets of the Code 128 barcode standard, but they support different character ranges.

The main difference is which characters can be encoded.

Code 128B vs Code 39

Both Code 128B and Code 39 can be used for alphanumeric identification, but they differ in character support and barcode density.

Code 128B supports the complete printable ASCII range from ASCII 32 to 126, including uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, spaces, punctuation, and common symbols.

Code 39 supports a more limited character set and generally requires more barcode space for the same amount of data.

As a result, Code 128B can be useful when you need to encode mixed-case text while keeping the barcode relatively compact.

Code 128B Check Character

Every standard Code 128 barcode contains a Modulo 103 check character.

The check character is calculated from the start character and the encoded data using the Code 128 weighting method.

The basic structure is:

Start-B → Data → Check Character → Stop

You don't need to enter the check character manually. The generator calculates it automatically when creating the barcode.

Code 128B Character Support

One of the main reasons to use Code 128B is its support for printable ASCII characters.

It can encode:

For example: OrderRef-aB123

can be encoded while retaining the difference between uppercase B and lowercase a.

Code 128B Generator Features

The generator provides several options for creating and managing Code 128B barcodes.

1. Case-Sensitive Text

Enter mixed-case values without converting them to uppercase.

2. Character Validation

The generator can check the entered data against the characters supported by Code 128B, helping prevent unsupported input from being used to create an invalid barcode.

3. Custom Barcode Size

You can adjust the barcode dimensions such as, width & height according to your requirements.

4. Custom Colors

The appearance can also be adjusted using Bar color & Background color.

5. Multiple Barcode Generation

If you need to create several bulk barcodes, you can enter one value per line.

For example:

The generator can process these values together instead of requiring you to create each barcode individually.

6. PNG and SVG Download

A generated barcode can be downloaded in PNG & SVG image format.

7. Batch Export

For multiple barcodes, batch export can make it easier to save the generated results together. Depending on the available export options, this may include barcode images in a ZIP file or barcode data with previews in an Excel file.

Common Uses of Code 128B

Code 128B works well for identifiers that contain printable text and may use both uppercase and lowercase characters.

1. Order and Ticket References

A reference such as, "TicketRef-4521a" can contain mixed-case text that needs to remain unchanged.

2. Software License Keys

Some license keys and activation codes use a combination of uppercase and lowercase characters.

For example: Lic-Ab52X9

If the system treats uppercase and lowercase characters differently, preserving the original value is important.

3. Document and File References

Text-based identifiers can also contain mixed-case characters and punctuation.

Example: Report-Final-v2

Code 128B can represent this printable text.

4. Product and Inventory Codes

Internal product references or inventory identifiers may contain combinations such as, "Prod-XyZ789"

Code 128B can be used when these values fall within its supported character range.

When Should You Use Code 128B?

A simple way to decide is to look at the characters in your data.

If the value contains lowercase letters or other printable characters that need to remain unchanged, Code 128B can be used.

For example: ABC123 contains only uppercase letters and numbers.

But "Abc123" contains both uppercase and lowercase letters, so Code 128B is appropriate when that distinction needs to be preserved.

Similarly "Invoice#2024/Q3" contains punctuation along with letters and numbers, all within the printable range supported by Code 128B.

How to Generate a Code 128B Barcode

The Code 128B Barcode Generator lets you create either a single barcode or multiple barcodes at once.

1. Generate a Single Barcode

2. Generate Multiple Barcodes