The creation of static and variable barcodes and QR codes is one of the fundamental applications in the production of machine-readable data carriers. In addition to traditional applications, variable codes are also used in certain regions as a design element for customized layouts.

The content to be encoded can either be generated in an external application and provided as a CSV file or created directly within the VDP Editor. In the VDP Editor, this is achieved by combining variable strings with sequential serial numbers, without the need for an external file.

Typical use cases for barcodes and QR codes include:

• Product Identification – applying article numbers to packaging for fast scanning at self-service kiosks and point-of-sale systems.
• Lot Numbers – generating unique identifiers, for example, for raffles or lotteries.
• Badge Numbers – creating numbering schemes that combine sequential numbering and additional text.
• Parcel Identification – providing information for the automated capture and tracking of logistics processes.
• Business Cards – storing structured data, such as contact information, on business cards or ID cards.
• Posters and Promotional Materials – encoding URLs for direct access to additional information.
• ID Cards and Badges – creating access credentials, for example, for events, trade fairs, or fitness facilities.

For the sample procedure describing the creation and editing of a QR code, a Code 128 barcode is generated based on values provided in a CSV file. The barcode is positioned on a colored background area within the Print Item, with the output rendered at the defined size and in the specified proportions.

All required attributes are taken into account, including the human-readable text (text display) and compliance with the required quiet zones (safety zones).

To implement this use case, perform the following steps:

1. Open the desired Article or the corresponding Print Item in the VDP Editor.
2. Select the VDP Barcode Tool [1] or press B.
3. Drag the barcode placeholder from the upper-left corner to the lower-right corner of the central white area. The Position (X/Y) [3] as well as the Width and Height [4] can be adjusted at any time in the Transform settings panel. The red outline of the rectangle [2] indicates the placeholder as an element on the top VDP layer.

Figure 1: The VDP Editor while drawing the rectangle using the Barcode Tool

4. After releasing the mouse button, a dummy placeholder for an invalid barcode is displayed within the placeholder frame [6].
5. In addition, a warning message [5] is displayed to inform users that an invalid barcode is being shown – either because the content to be generated is missing or because an unsupported character was used in the CSV file or during direct input.

Figure 2: The VDP Editor displaying the placeholder image of an invalid barcode

6. To populate the placeholder with the required data, click the Upload CSV file [7] icon in the General Settings panel.
7. The Add CSV file dialog opens. Select the desired CSV file either by dragging and dropping it or by using the drop zone.

Figure 3: The Add CSV file dialog

8. Select the required settings in the dialog and complete the process by clicking Save.
9. Then switch to the Content [8] tab to define the values for the barcode.
10. In the Data Source [9] drop-down menu, select the desired entry (e. g., Column Title). The following options are then displayed:
    • Column Header [10] – select the column header from the CSV file that contains the required values – in this example, NUMBER.  
    • Trim Entry [11] – optionally, the data entry can be adjusted. The following options are available:
      • From the beginning – a positive number removes the specified number of characters from the beginning of the character string (e. g., 3 → 00_text string_01 becomes text string_01). A negative number reduces the character string to the specified number of characters from the end (e.g., 2 → 00_text string_01 becomes 01).
      • From Position – specifies how many characters of the character string – starting from the beginning – are used (e.g., 7 → 00_text string_01 becomes 00_text).
11. The selected data from the CSV file is assigned to the barcode. The stored content is displayed in the Preview section [12].

Figure 4: The Content tab with the defined values from the CSV file

To edit or adjust the barcode, switch to the Format tab [13]. This section contains settings for the barcode type, font, color, and background. In this example, the embedded text should be displayed, the barcode color should be configurable, and the background should have a static color. The following steps are required:

1. Switch to the Format tab [13] and open the Barcode Settings section [14].
2. Select the desired Barcode Type [15]. In this example, Code 128 is used.
3. Below the Type setting, you will find various sections that differ depending on the selected type. Open the Text Options drop-down menu [16].
4. Enable the Show Text option [17] to display the encoded content of the barcode. Then define the Placement [18] of the text – either below or above the barcode. In this example, the text is placed below the barcode.
5. Finally, set the Distance [19] between the text and the barcode.

Figure 5: The Format tab with the Text Options settings panel expanded

6. Open the Font Settings section [20] within the same tab. Here, the Font Family, Font Style, and Font Size can be adjusted. Define the required settings according to your requirements.

Figure 6: The Font Settings panel with the defined values

7. In the Barcode Settings section [14] (Figure 5), open the Quiet Zone section [21].
8. Define the desired Quiet Zone values for Top, Bottom, Left, and Right [22].

Figure 7: The Format tab with the configured Quiet Zone settings

Finally, the barcode color and background color can be defined. Proceed as follows:

1. Switch to the Format tab and open the Color Settings section [23] to define the barcode color.
2. Select the Color Picker option [24]. This allows a color to be defined as a static color.
3. Define the required color either by entering CMYK color values [25], using the Color Picker, or by selecting a system-wide Spot Color [26]. In this example, the Spot Color Barcode is used.

Figure 8: The Format tab with the Color Settings and Background sections expanded

4. The background color can be defined in the Background section [27] and applies to the entire barcode placeholder. Open the corresponding settings panel.
5. Select the Data Source option [28] to enable a variable background.
6. Set the Data Source to the Column Title entry [29] and, in the Column Header drop-down menu [30], select the column that contains the color values for the background.
7. Finally, select the appropriate Color Space [31] in which the background colors are defined. The background is then colored according to the values provided in the CSV file.

In addition to the basic editing options described above, the VDP Editor provides a wide range of advanced functions that allow barcodes and QR codes to be precisely adapted to specific requirements. These include extended settings for rendering, data processing, formatting, and the integration of variable content.

These additional options enable flexible design while ensuring the technical accuracy and readability of the codes during the production process. The following section describes all available barcode settings for the Code 128 barcode type in the VDP Editor.