Stompy

I've been thinking about getting a barcode tattoo on the back of my neck, however, I actually want a barcode that contains info and can be read if scanned.

My question is... is there a universal or common barcode font/format? If so, where can I get a copy of it?

Also, only numeric info can be stored in a barcode, correct?

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muckluck

Barcode Generator

Something like that?

Looks like there are a few barcode standards.

-- edit --

Found barcode font for use in programs. Barcode Font

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FngKestrel

There are many barcode formats. Depending on the format, you can have letters or numbers.

Here's a site with more detailed info.
http://www.barcodeisland.com/symbolgy.phtml

bendsley

At work , they use a font called 3of9. But as FngKestrel said, there are many out there. You might even look at doing the 2D barcodes, such as those used by FedEx.

Another plus is, at least Big Brother will be able to track you.

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Gatorade Frost

That sounds like it would be cool, but I wouldn't personally risk the chance of making a bar code tattoo that probably won't work. I don't know too terribly much about bar codes but it seems to me like things would have to be very exact for them to be read correctly.

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HLP

You should just go to a huge store like Wal Mart and find any product you like and make that your scan. Everytime you go through a checkout line you just swipe your hand and BAM, you get a plasma TV. They dont know HOW that got on the register but every time you try to check it out another one pops up!

Either that or try doing that for gift cards or coupons... thats probably very illegal but hey, Im just shooting off ideas!

FngKestrel

Barcodes can be read pretty well, depending on the quality and type of the reader. I did a project where I made barcoded bracelets for everyone attending a conference. The reader was a wand instead of a gun and it only had trouble reading the tag when the paper the tag was on was folded a few times and the barcode itself was distorted.

One thing to consider is the contrast between your skin and the ink. If you're darker skinned, well, you'll probably have some trouble getting it read.

Mondak

"Code 39" or "3 of 9" is by far the most commonly used barcode outside of UPC Symbols. Unless you really like a paticular product, I would recomend using that. It is easy to find the font for free that can be used on your computer. I used this one for a scanning project I did the other day and it worked great.

One word of caution, most barcodes have leading and trailing characheters so that the barcode reader knows when it is "done" reading. So you could encode with code 39 the word "Stompy" and it would look like this:



but it wouldn't read with any bardcode scanner out there. That is because if you want it to read Stompy it has to be typed as "*Stompy*" like this:



The astericks are the leading and trailing charachers and will make the thing read correctly. You can actually make out the astericks in the lines if you look long enough and once you do that, you can always recognise a code 3 of 9. barcode.

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Stompy

Sweeeeeet, thanks a ton for all the info!

I've been reading up and I think 3 of 9 will do just fine!

Even if I can't get it to read when scanned, at least it'll actually have a nice hidden meaning

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FngKestrel

Take a picture, preferably with a barcode reader that successfully read it.

Mondak

My opinion? It will read unless you are REALLY tan. Barcodes are designed to work in very poor conditions and still be reliable. Even if there is very little contrast, it should still work as long as you format it correctly.

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All truth passes through three stages:
First it is ridiculed
Second, it is violently opposed and
Third, it is accepted as self-evident.

ARTHUR SCHOPENHAUER (1788-1860)

VarsityDrinking

You can pretty much use any font for the numbers portion of the barcode. I've had to create barcodes for several pharmaceutical products and I used their corporate font. (Gill Sans).

Something that you'll want to remember is that tattoos begin to fade and spread a little, so after awhile your barcode will begin to look like a dark rectangle blob.

Wingless

A guy walked into our video game store with a barcode on his forehead.

I was so tempted to scan it.

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kofspades

You a Dark Angel fan or just a Jessica Alba fan?

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muckluck

Would you watch that show for the show? I thought it's only purpose was to stare at Jessica Alba. They had an episode where she was horny and all she thought about was sex. that was hot

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Stompy

Never saw Dark Angel... why, does she have a f'n barcode on her neck?

If so, then that sucks and my idea is shot.. well, not that it was my idea (I'm sure it's been thought of).. I've just never seen anyone with one.

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Charlatan

She did in the show... not that that should neccessarily stop you.

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