GTIN-14 Data
Logistic shelf and master cartons should be identified with a GTIN-14 identifier. In most environments, these cartons are not read by point-of-sale scanners and do not carry a UPC barcode symbol. An ITF-14 barcode encodes the GTIN-14 information. The GTIN-14 data structure is comprised of four components:
- Indicator – This denotes the level of packaging for a particular carton. This one-digit prefix can range from 0 to 8.
- GS1 Company Prefix – Vendors must have UPC (GTINs) with a
- Item Reference– References the same product number used for the item level GTIN (GTIN-8, GTIN-12, GTIN-13) when a carton is made up of the same item. For cartons that contain an assortment of items a new product number is assigned.
- Check Digit – The last digit of GTIN-14 is a calculated check digit. Using a MOD10 check digit algorithm, the calculated check digit prevents substitution errors.
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ITF-14 Barcode Symbol
The ITF-14 barcode is the most common data carrier used for the GTIN-14 data structure in retail organizations. ITF-14 is a 14-digit bar code that uses the “Interleaved 2 of 5” symbology (I2of5, or ITF). The GTIN-14 data can also be conveyed in other GS1 barcode data carriers, such as a GS1-128 barcode.
ITF-14 bar code symbols include bearer bars, which are surrounding bars that protect the bar code image. If the ITF-14 is printed directly on a corrugated carton it must be surrounded by bearer bars. For ITF-14 bar code symbols printed on a label, only horizontal bearer bars along the top and bottom are necessary. The following illustration displays example images and the minimum sizing for each scenario.
Size: The two components which determine the width of an ITF-14 bar code symbol are the x-dimension and the wide-to-narrow ratio. As illustrated in the above picture, the minimum x-dimension varies depending on how the ITF-14 is printed. The other sizing component of an ITF-14, the wide-to-narrow ratio, is a measure of the wide elements to the narrow elements. The wide-to-narrow ratio is held constant and should always be between 2.25:1 to 3:1.