Bitstream Barcode fonts and utilities were developed for Bitstream by Azalea Software, a leading developer of bar code fonts and bar code solutions.

• How do I install the fonts on my computer?
• How do I build barcodes?
• How do I create more than one bar code at a time?
• Can I create a bar code from within my application?
• The bar code(s) I created and printed do not scan correctly.
• Contacting Azalea Software

• UPC Fonts for the Macintosh
• ZIP Code fonts for the Macintosh

Solution
Install the bar code fonts using the same method as you use to install any other font on your system, either Windows or the MacOS.

1. Identify the font format you have:

• Windows PostScript Type 1 or TrueType
• Macintosh PostScript Type 1 or TrueType

  Your bar code font package may include one format or both formats. Check the documentation that shipped with the bar code package to see what font format it includes. If you have both formats, you only need to have one format installed.

  For Windows: If you have both formats, the bar code font installer usually installs the TrueType font by placing a shortcut in the Windows Fonts folder. To install the Type 1 font, first remove this shortcut.

2. Follow the instructions for installing a font.

• Installing fonts in Windows
• Installing fonts for the Macintosh

Solution
Each bar code symbology has different rules for creating a bar code. For help with building bar codes, please look through the documentation that came with your bar code package.

If your bar code package included a utility, you must use the utility to build a bar code. A bar code utility is an executable or application file with 'Tools' in the name.

The bar code includes more information than just the numbers and letters you encode inside it. The bar code utility add additional characters that the bar code reader needs in order to interpret the bar code. The following bar code formats require the utility to make the bar code.

• Bitstream C128Tools(TM)
• Bitstream C39Tools(TM)(Utility for Windows only)
• Bitstream I2of5Tools(TM)
• Bitstream POSTools(TM)
• Bitstream UPCTools(TM)

The following bar code formats do not require a utility. You can type the information for the bar code and apply the font to it.

• Bitstream Codabar
• Bitstream MSI-Plessey
• Bitstream TwoOfFive

• I need to process a lot of data into many different bar codes, and the utilities only process one piece of data at a time. How can I create a series of bar codes rather than creating than one at a time?
• Can I process the bar code data for the utility from within my application?

Solution
Bitstream and Azalea sell fonts, understanding that people use fonts with other applications like Visual Basic, databases, and spreadsheets. To this end, Bitstream and Azalea have provided sample code written in Microsoft Visual Basic, and macros for some of the major spreadsheet and database applications.

Contact Bitstream Technical Support for information about available macros or Visual Basic code for bar code symbologies.

Solution

• When you create your bar code symbol, be sure you follow ALL the directions in the documentation for your bar code package.
  Take special note of the recommended font styles and sizes. If your bar code package includes a Tools utility, you must use the utility to create your bar code symbols.
• Check your original data for accuracy and completeness.
• If your bar code package comes with fonts of different widths (thin, narrow, wide, etc), use one of these other bar code fonts.
• Try a slightly different point size to print your bar code symbol.
• Change font formats:
  • If you are using the PostScript fonts, try using the TrueType fonts for your bar codes.
  • If you are using the TrueType fonts, try using the PostScript fonts for your bar codes.

Problem

• UPC PostScript Type 1 fonts on the Macintosh have very wide spacing on the screen. They usually print correctly.
• ZIP Code barcode PostScript Type 1 fonts on the Macintosh have very wide spacing on the screen. They usually print correctly.

Solution
The TrueType version of these fonts should display and print correctly.

Contact Bitstream sales to obtain the Macintosh TrueType formats.

Contacting Azalea Software

Azalea Software, Inc.
3400 Harbor Ave SW #411
Suite 444
Seattle WA 98126-2322
Phone: 206.341.9500
Fax: 206.299.5600

E-mail: salesinfo@azalea.com
Web: http://www.azalea.com

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