Specifications

SD/CD Installation and Administrator’s Guide 21
Test Bar Codes
Alwaystestthereadabilityofbarcodesunderproductionconditions.Factorsto
considerinclude:
• Ifyouprintcardsoneatatime,printthesamplesusingthatmethod.Ifyou
printcardsinbatch(manycardssenttotheprinteratthesametime),usea
production‐sizedbatchandevaluatecardsfromthebeginning,middle,and
endofthebatch.
• Useexactlythesamecardstockfortestingthatyouuseforproduction.The
cardstockcanaffectthereadabilityofbarcodes.Usually,awhitesurfacethat
reflectslightinmanydirectionsisneeded.Testcardsbeforepurchasing
productionquantities.
• Includeothercarddesigncomponentsthatyouuseinproduction,suchas
topcoat.
• Usethesamebarcodereadersasusershave,andtesteachcardmultiple
timestosimulateanywearthecardmightexperience.Alsotestmultiple
cards.
Card Design Changes That Affect Bar Codes
Ifyoumakesubstantialchangestothewayyouproducecar ds,reviewsetuptasks
tomakesurethatcardscontinuetohavethequalityyourequire.
Substantialchangesthatcanaffectbarcodesinclude:
• Changingfrombatchprocessingtoissuingsinglecards(orchangingfrom
issuingsinglecardstobatchprocessing).CheckfordifferencesinKprinting
andfull‐colorprinting.
• Purchasinganewbrandofunprintedcards,whichcanchangethecolorof
someimages.
• Changingtoorfrompreprintedcards,whichcanchangethecolorofsome
images.
• Movingthecardprintertoanewlocation,whereenvironmentalchangessuch
asamountoflightorrelativehumiditycanaffectimages,supplies,orprinter
operation.
Ifyouchangethedesignofyourcards,orifyoustartproducinganadditionalcard
design,reviewsetuptaskstomakesurethateachdesignprintsasrequired.Test
newcarddesignsasdescribedinthisguide.Youmightidentifychangestoyour
processtosupportproductionofmorethanonedesign.