Variable Data Printing on Event Wristbands
Variable‐data printing (VDP) is a form of digital printing, including on‐demand printing, in which elements such as text, graphics and images may be changed from one printed piece to the next, without stopping or slowing down the printing process and using information from a database or external file.
For example, a set of personalized letters, each with the same basic layout, can be printed with a different name and address on each letter. Variable data printing on identification mediums such as wristbands is mainly used for direct marketing, customer relationship management, advertising, and most importantly, event security. Variable data is the most effective method of preventing ticket counterfeiting.
Quick Response Code (QR Code )
Standard Black QR Code
Background colors: White (most preferred), Lt. Blue, Red, Yellow, Yellow Glow, N. Lime, N. Orange, N. Sunfire & N. Pink
Colored QR Code
Background color: White
Multicolored QR Code
Background color: White
- Optimal dimensions for print As small as ¾ inch (19.05mm) on business cards (best 1 inch square (645.16 mm squared) or larger. Most all camera phones can properly read a 1.25 x 1.25” (31.75 mm x 31.75 mm) code.
- Due to size constraints, QR codes cannot be printed on our Slim, Techno and Sparkle wristbands
- We MUST be provided with the raw data file to use as a reference during the production process. In the event a redo is required, we will require this data file to do so.
QR codes can be scanned and read by camera‐equipped smart phones via software that’s already installed on your phone, or with an application that you download such as Lynkee Reader or i‐nigma Reader, which are compatible with a wide variety of modern smart phones. The readers/scanners give smart phone users the ability to read a QR code without special equipment.
For example, you could walk into a store, use your smart phone to scan an item that has a QR code on it, and have immediate access to the information.
Data Matrix 2D Bar Code
Data Matrix Bar Code
Background color: White (most preferred), Lt. Blue, Red, Yellow, Yellow Glow, N. Lime, N. Orange, N. Sunfire & N. Pink
Human readable vs. Nonhuman readable Bar codes
Virtually any kind of barcode can be applied to our wristbands. They can be printed in human readable or non‐human readable formats. We typically add 2‐3 additional business days to the turnaround time as physical samples are sent to the customer for approval.
Human readable barcodes has the encoded data displayed in a text format beneath the linear barcode.
Non‐human readable barcodes do not display encoded data beneath the linear barcode. This barcode format is known as machine readable, which means the data can only be decoded by using an infrared barcode scanner.
Barcode size – The optimal size is 0.75‐1.0” high x 1.5 to 2.0” wide. This ensures all barcode readers can read the barcode as certain readers have a smaller laser width than others and it also prevents excessive curvature of the barcode once the wristband has been applied to the patron’s wrist.
Commonly Used Linear Bar Codes
Virtually any kind of barcode can be applied to our wristbands. They can be printed in human readable or non‐human readable formats. We typically add 2‐3 additional business days to the turnaround time as physical samples are sent to the customer for approval.
Code 128
Code 128 is a variable length, high density, alphanumeric symbology. Code 128 has 106 different bar and space patterns and each pattern can have one of three different meanings, depending on which of three different character sets is employed. Special start characters tell the reader which of the character sets is initially being used and three special shift codes permit changing character sets inside a symbol. One character sets encodes all upper case and ASCII control characters, another encodes all upper and lower case characters and the third set encodes numeric digit pairs 00 through 99. This third character set effectively doubles the code density when printing numeric data. Code 128 also employs a check digit for data security.
Code 39 (Normal & Full ASCII versions)
The Normal CODE 39 is a variable length symbology that can encode the following 44 characters: 1234567890ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ‐. *$/+%. Code 39 is the most popular symbology in the non‐retail world and is used extensively in manufacturing, military, and health applications.
UPCA, UPCE, and UPC Supplemental's
UPC‐A with Supplemental UPC‐E UPC‐A is a 12 digit, numeric symbology used in retail applications. UPC‐A symbols consist of 11 data digits and one check digit. The first digit is a number system digit that usually represents the type of product being identified. The following 5 digits are a manufacturer’s code and the next 5 digits are used to identify a specific product. UPC numbers are assigned to specific products and manufacturers by the Uniform Code Council (UCC).
EAN8 / EAN13, BookLan and EAN Supplemental' s
EAN or European Article Numbering system (also called JAN in Japan) is a European version of UPC. It uses the same size requirements and a similar encoding scheme as for UPC codes. EAN‐8 encodes 8 numeric digits consisting of two country code digits, five data digits and one check digit. B‐Coder will accept up to 7 numeric digits for EAN‐8. B‐Coder will automatically calculate the check digit for you. If you enter less than 7 digits or if you enter any digits other than 0 to 9, B‐Coder will display a warning message. If the option “Enable Invalid Message Warnings” in the Preferences menu is not selected and you do not enter 7 digits, B‐Coder will left pad short messages with zeros and truncate longer messages so that the total length is 7. EAN‐13 is the Euro version of UPC‐A. The difference between EAN‐13 and UPC‐A is that EAN‐13 encodes a 13th digit into the parity pattern of the left six digits of a UPC‐A symbol. This 13th digit, combined with the 12th digit, usually represent a country code. Both EAN‐8 and EAN‐13 support a supplemental two or five digit number to be appended to the main bar code symbol. The supplemental is designed for use on publications and periodicals. Supplemental messages must consist of either two or five numeric digits and will appear as a small additional bar code on the right side of a standard EAN symbol. EAN bar code numbers are assigned to specific products and manufacturers by an organization called ICOF
INTERLEAVED 2 OF 5
Interleaved 2 of 5 is a high density variable length numeric only symbology that encodes digit pairs in an interleaved manner. The odd position digits are encoded in the bars and the even position digits are encoded in the spaces. Because of this, I 2 of 5 bar codes must consist of an even number of digits. Also, because partial scans of I 2 of 5 bar codes have a slight chance of being decoded as a valid (but shorter) bar code, readers are usually set to read a fixed (even) number of digits when reading I 2 of 5 symbols. The numbers of digits are usually pre‐defined for a particular application and all readers used in the application are programmed to only accept I 2 of 5 bar codes of the chosen length. Shorter data can be left padded with zeros to fit the proper length.
Serial Numbering
You can customize your serial numbering on wrist bands in several different ways for no additional cost when you place a custom wristband order. See examples below…
Standard, Sequential Serial Numbering
Increment of 1, Numeric only, maximum of 8 digits
Matching Sequential Serial Numbering
Matching # on wristband & detachable stub, Numeric only, maximum of 6 digits
Static & Sequential Serial Numbering
The first part of the numbering sequence remains static while the second part is sequentially numbered in increments of 1, Alpha‐numeric
Random Serial Numbers
A range of random, unique serial numbers are assigned; each wristband is printed with a random number within the range and does not follow a sequential sequence. Numeric or Alphanumeric.
Logo & Text Layout Styles
Your wristbands can be customized however you like, below is a list of common designs. However, if you require a more elaborate design, our designers are here to help you every step of the way.
Repeated Logo
Repeated Logo & Text
Repeated Text
Bar Code Layout Options
Option 1 – Standard
Option 2 – Data Matrix or QR Code
Option 3 – Repeated
Option 4 – Full Band
