Barcode Software

GS1 DataMatrix – Label Printing Guide and Software

Printing Labels with GS1 DataMatrix – Software Guide

GS1 DataMatrix GS1 DataMatrix
This guide explains how to create and print labels and other media with GS1 DataMatrix using our software Barcode Forge.

The content encoded in GS1 DataMatrix can also be displayed as text, as shown in the image to the right. This is the simplest form of a label, which can be further customized by adding text, barcodes or graphic elements as required.

Comprehensive Data Validation for Maximum Security

GS1 DataMatrix codes are used in a wide range of industries, including sensitive areas such as healthcare, where data integrity and traceability are paramount. To meet these high standards, our software performs additional data checks beyond the security mechanisms inherent in GS1 DataMatrix itself.

Symbolic image - Barcode sign Before a GS1 DataMatrix is printed on a label, the software verifies key dates such as the production date or expiry date, to ensure they are valid. It also validates critical information, such as GTIN and SSCC against its check digit. Other data fields are checked for compliance with required formats, such as allowed characters and length.

Through these extensive checks, our software minimizes input errors and ensures that the generated GS1 DataMatrix codes meet the security standards required in critical applications.

GS1 DataMatrix basics – The difference from DataMatrix

The term "DataMatrix" refers to a barcode format, similar to the QR Code, that translates any type of information into a pattern of dots and gaps typical of 2D codes.

"GS1 DataMatrix", on the other hand, specifies a standard that uses DataMatrix codes as a data carrier to store specific types of information. This standard is managed by the global GS1 organization to enable product identification and traceability in global supply chains.

Symbolic image - Barcode under magnifying glass Information that can be encoded in a GS1 DataMatrix includes the Shipping Container Code (SSCC), Global Trade Item Number (GTIN), production and expiry dates, and approximately 100 additional data types listed in the appendix of this guide.

A GS1 DataMatrix includes the FNC1 character, which serves as an identifier to distinguish it from a standard DataMatrix. The FNC1 character is placed in front of the content encoded in the barcode, allowing a barcode scanner to switch to the correct processing mode early and interpret the subsequent data correctly. Our software adds the FNC1 character automatically.

Summary: While "DataMatrix" refers to a generic barcode format, "GS1 DataMatrix" is a structured type of information stored in DataMatrix codes.

A First Look at the Software

An example project [download] provides the basis for all the following explanations. The 30-Day Trial version of the software is sufficient for opening and testing. The project contains a simple label layout with a GS1 DataMatrix and a text element that displays the code's content as readable text:
Screenshot GS1 DataMatrix label

The Data section contains a table with typical GS1 information. Right-clicking on the table header allows you to rename or delete columns and add new ones later. Screenshot table with GS1 data

This information is linked to individual layout elements in the Label section through placeholders. Right-click the GS1 DataMatrix object on the label and select Edit. This will open the object's properties window; then switch to the Text tab.

As shown in the image below, the information is listed line by line, with one piece of information per line. Each line begins with an Application Identifier (AI) in parentheses, followed by a placeholder that references a column in the table above where the information is stored. Screenshot GS1 information input
You can insert additional information later in the same way, using the Insert data field button to place the appropriate placeholders.

The GS1 Application Identifier principle and FNC1 as a separator

As mentioned in the previous section, each piece of information in a GS1 DataMatrix is introduced by a number called the Application Identifier (AI). The AI defines the meaning and format of the information. A table with all supported AIs is provided in the appendix.

Depending on the AI, the length of the information can be either fixed or variable. While AI 01 and AI 17 in our example always have a fixed length, AI 10 and AI 30 may consist of a variable number of characters. For such AIs, the end of the information must be marked with an FNC1 character so that a barcode scanner is able to identify the exact number of characters that make up the information.

Our software inserts the FNC1 character automatically, so you don't have to do it yourself. However, you can use the knowledge of the role of the FNC1 character in another way: Always place variable-length AIs at the end, as shown with AI 30 in the example. FNC1 is then not required, resulting in one less character that needs to be encoded in the GS1 DataMatrix.

Note: The FNC1 character can also be inserted manually using the Insert special character button. However, this is only required if multiple AIs are entered in sequence on a single line.

Check Digit calculation for GTIN and SSCC

GTIN and SSCC (AI 00, 01 and 02) always contain a check digit in the last position – position 14 for the GTIN and position 18 for the SSCC. If the check digit is missing, the software can automatically calculate and append it.

To have the software do this, use the Insert function field button and select [-Mod10-]. This can be used for both the GS1 DataMatrix and for the text representation of the content. The result should look like this for our example: Screenshot Check Digit calculation

Appendix: Explanations for the Following Table

1. In the Format column, an "N" indicates that only numeric data is allowed, while "X" indicates alphanumeric data (plus additional characters). A double point (..) indicates that the number of characters can vary within a specified range. For example, "N..6" indicates a numeric value with a maximum length of 6 digits. Conversely, "N6" indicates a numeric value that must be exactly 6 digits in length.

2. Application Identifiers (column AI) ending with an "x" are intended to indicate fractions. The fraction is encoded without a decimal point. Instead, the number of fractional digits is inserted into the application identifier at the position of the "x".

For example, 310x (Net weight, kilograms):
(3100)123456 = 123456 kg
(3101)123456 = 12345.6 kg
(3102)123456 = 1234.56 kg
(3103)123456 = 123.456 kg
(3104)123456 = 12.3456 kg
(3105)123456 = 1.23456 kg

Application Identifiers for the GS1 DataMatrix

AIDescriptionFormatFNC1 required
00Serial Shipping Container Code (SSCC)N18
01Global Trade Item Number (GTIN)N14
02GTIN of contained trade itemsN14
10Batch or lot numberX..20
11Production date (YYMMDD)N6
12Due date (YYMMDD)N6
13Packaging date (YYMMDD)N6
15Best before date (YYMMDD)N6
16Sell by date (YYMMDD)N6
17Expiration date (YYMMDD)N6
20Internal product variantN2
21Serial numberX..20
22Consumer product variantX..20
235Third Party Controlled, Serialised Extension of GTIN (TPX)X..28
240Additional product identification assigned by the manufacturerX..30
241Customer part numberX..30
242Made-to-Order variation numberN..6
243Packaging component numberX..20
250Secondary serial numberX..30
251Reference to source entityX..30
253Global Document Type Identifier (GDTI)N13+X..17
254GLN extension componentX..20
255Global Coupon Number (GCN)N13+N..12
30Variable count of items (variable measure trade item)N..8
310xNet weight, kilograms (variable measure trade item)N6
311xLength or first dimension, metres (variable measure trade item)N6
312xWidth, diameter, or second dimension, metres (variable measure trade item)N6
313xDepth, thickness, height, or third dimension, metres (variable measure trade item)N6
314xArea, square metres (variable measure trade item)N6
315xNet volume, litres (variable measure trade item)N6
316xNet volume, cubic metres (variable measure trade item)N6
320xNet weight, pounds (variable measure trade item)N6
321xLength or first dimension, inches (variable measure trade item)N6
322xLength or first dimension, feet (variable measure trade item)N6
323xLength or first dimension, yards (variable measure trade item)N6
324xWidth, diameter, or second dimension, inches (variable measure trade item)N6
325xWidth, diameter, or second dimension, feet (variable measure trade item)N6
326xWidth, diameter, or second dimension, yards (variable measure trade item)N6
327xDepth, thickness, height, or third dimension, inches (variable measure trade item)N6
328xDepth, thickness, height, or third dimension, feet (variable measure trade item)N6
329xDepth, thickness, height, or third dimension, yards (variable measure trade item)N6
330xLogistic weight, kilogramsN6
331xLength or first dimension, metresN6
332xWidth, diameter, or second dimension, metresN6
333xDepth, thickness, height, or third dimension, metresN6
334xArea, square metresN6
335xLogistic volume, litresN6
336xLogistic volume, cubic metresN6
337xKilograms per square metreN6
340xLogistic weight, poundsN6
341xLength or first dimension, inchesN6
342xLength or first dimension, feetN6
343xLength or first dimension, yardsN6
344xWidth, diameter, or second dimension, inchesN6
345xWidth, diameter, or second dimension, feetN6
346xWidth, diameter, or second dimension, yardN6
347xDepth, thickness, height, or third dimension, inchesN6
348xDepth, thickness, height, or third dimension, feetN6
349xDepth, thickness, height, or third dimension, yardsN6
350xArea, square inches (variable measure trade item)N6
351xArea, square feet (variable measure trade item)N6
352xArea, square yards (variable measure trade item)N6
353xArea, square inchesN6
354xArea, square feetN6
355xArea, square yardsN6
356xNet weight, troy ounces (variable measure trade item)N6
357xNet weight (or volume), ounces (variable measure trade item)N6
360xNet volume, quarts (variable measure trade item)N6
361xNet volume, gallons U.S. (variable measure trade item)N6
362xLogistic volume, quartsN6
363xLogistic volume, gallons U.S.N6
364xNet volume, cubic inches (variable measure trade item)N6
365xNet volume, cubic feet (variable measure trade item)N6
366xNet volume, cubic yards (variable measure trade item)N6
367xLogistic volume, cubic inchesN6
368xLogistic volume, cubic feetN6
369xLogistic volume, cubic yardsN6
37Count of trade items or trade item pieces contained in a logistic unitN..8
390xApplicable amount payable or Coupon value, local currencyN..15
391xApplicable amount payable with ISO currency codeN3+N..15
392xApplicable amount payable, single monetary area (variable measure trade item)N..15
393xApplicable amount payable with ISO currency code (variable measure trade item)N3+N..15
394xPercentage discount of a couponN4
400Customers purchase order numberX..30
401Global Identification Number for Consignment (GINC)X..30
402Global Shipment Identification Number (GSIN)N17
403Routing codeX..30
410Ship to - Deliver to Global Location NumberN13
411Bill to - Invoice to Global Location NumberN13
412Purchased from Global Location NumberN13
413Ship for - Deliver for - Forward to Global Location NumberN13
414Identification of a physical location - Global Location NumberN13
415Global Location Number of the invoicing partyN13
416GLN of the production or service locationN13
417Party GLNN13
420Ship to - Deliver to postal code within a single postal authorityX..20
421Ship to - Deliver to postal code with ISO country codeN3+X..9
422Country of origin of a trade itemN3
423Country of initial processingN3+N..12
424Country of processingN3
425Country of disassemblyN3+N..12
426Country covering full process chainN3
427Country subdivision Of originX..3
7001NATO Stock Number (NSN)N13
7002UN/ECE meat carcasses and cuts classificationX..30
7003Expiration date and timeN10
7004Active potencyN..4
7005Catch areaX..12
7006First freeze date (YYMMDD)N6
7007Harvest dateN6..12
7008Species for fishery purposesX..3
7009Fishing gear typeX..10
7010Production methodX..2
7020Refurbishment lot IDX..20
7021Functional statusX..20
7022Revision statusX..20
7023Global Individual Asset Identifier (GIAI) of an assemblyX..30
703xNumber of processor with ISO Country CodeN3+X..27
7040GS1 UIC with Extension 1 and Importer indexN1+X3
710National Healthcare Reimbursement Number (NHRN) - Germany PZNX..20
711National Healthcare Reimbursement Number (NHRN) - France CIPX..20
712National Healthcare Reimbursement Number (NHRN) - Spain CNX..20
713National Healthcare Reimbursement Number (NHRN) - Brasil DRNX..20
714National Healthcare Reimbursement Number (NHRN) - Portugal AIMX..20
723xCertification referenceX2+X..28
7240Protocol IDX..20
8001Roll products (width, length, core diameter, direction, splices)N14
8002Cellular mobile telephone identifierX..20
8003Global Returnable Asset Identifier (GRAI)N14+X..16
8004Global Individual Asset Identifier (GIAI)X..30
8005Price per unit of measureN6
8006Identification of an individual trade item pieceN14+N2+N2
8007International Bank Account Number (IBAN)X..34
8008Date and time of productionN8+N..4
8009Optically Readable Sensor IndicatorX..50
8010Component/Part Identifier (CPID)Y..30
8011Component/Part Identifier serial number (CPID SERIAL)N..12
8012Software versionX..20
8013Global Model Number (GMN)X..30
8017Global Service Relation Number to identify the relationship between an organisation offering services and the provider of servicesN18
8018Global Service Relation Number to identify the relationship between an organisation offering services and the recipient of servicesN18
8019Service Relation Instance Number (SRIN)N..10
8020Payment slip reference numberX..25
8026Identification of pieces of a trade item (ITIP) contained in a logistic unitN14+N2+N2
8110Coupon code identification for use in North AmericaX..70
8111Loyalty points of a couponN4
8112Paperless coupon code identification for use in North AmericaX..70
8200Extended Packaging URLX..70
90Information mutually agreed between trading partnersX..30
91Company internal informationX..90
92Company internal informationX..90
93Company internal informationX..90
94Company internal informationX..90
95Company internal informationX..90
96Company internal informationX..90
97Company internal informationX..90
98Company internal informationX..90
99Company internal informationX..90



For questions about the GS1 DataMatrix or our software, please contact us!