📱 BarCodeGen - Barcode Generator – Vector Barcode Script for Adobe Illustrator

BarCodeGen - Barcode Generator is an industrial-strength script designed specifically for packaging designers, graphic artists, and pre-press professionals working in Adobe Illustrator. Forget clumsy online generators that create blurry images; this tool generates precise, scannable, 100% vector barcodes directly on your artboard.

With robust support for major international retail and logistics standards, full CMYK color control, and a powerful bulk generation engine specifically designed for massive SKU operations, this is the only barcode solution you need for professional print workflows.

🔹 Basic Information

👤 Author: Ismail El Makhloufi
🌐 Website: YouTube Channel
📩 Contact: ajigrafi@gmail.com

🔢 Key Features

🏭 Comprehensive Industry Standard Support

Generate perfectly structured barcodes for retail, warehousing, and logistics:

• ✅ Retail: EAN-13, EAN-8, UPC-A, UPC-E (includes correct guard bars).
• ✅ Alphanumeric & Logistics: Code 39, Code 128 (Auto-switching A/B/C), Codabar, MSI Plessey.
• ✅ Shipping: ITF (Interleaved 2 of 5) with optional, adjustable Bearer Bars.

🎨 Total Vector & Color Precision

• ✅ 100% Vector Output: Creates clean, scalable vector paths within Illustrator groups. No raster images.
• ✅ Print-Ready CMYK: Define precise CMYK values for both the bars and the background to ensure perfect print reproduction.
• ✅ Exact Dimensions: Full control over Module Width (X-dimension), Bar Height, Quiet Zones, and Guard Extensions.

🔡 Human Readable Text Options

• ✅ Font Flexibility: Load and select any system font installed on your machine.
• ✅ Customization: Adjust font size or completely hide the text for a clean look.

📦 Powerful Bulk Automation Engine

• ✅ Data Automation: Connect a CSV or XML file to generate hundreds or thousands of unique barcodes in one click.
• ✅ Auto-Export: Automatically save bulk-generated barcodes into separate files across multiple formats: SVG, PDF, PNG, and JPG.

📝 User-Friendly Interface

• ✅ Tabbed Organization: Clean interface separated into General, Dimensions, Appearance, Text, and Bulk tabs.
• ✅ Preference Saving: The script automatically remembers your last-used settings (saved to a local JSON preference file) for faster repeat workflows.
• ✅ Restore Defaults: Easily reset settings to standard defaults with a single click.

🛠️ How to Install the Script

🔹 For Windows

1. Download the script file (BarCodeGen.jsx).
2. Navigate to Adobe Illustrator’s Scripts folder: C:\Program Files\Adobe\Adobe Illustrator [Version]\Presets\[Language]\Scripts
3. Copy the .jsx file into the Scripts folder.
4. Restart Illustrator. Access it via File > Scripts > BarCodeGen.

🔹 For macOS

1. Download the script file (BarCodeGen.jsx).
2. Navigate to: /Applications/Adobe Illustrator [Version]/Presets/[Language]/Scripts
3. Copy the .jsx file into the Scripts folder.
4. Restart Illustrator. Access it via File > Scripts > BarCodeGen.

🚀 How to Use BarCodeGen - Barcode Generator

1️⃣ Open Adobe Illustrator Open your packaging file or create a new CMYK document.

2️⃣ Run the Script Navigate to File > Scripts > BarcodeGen.

3️⃣ General Tab: Select Type & Data

• Choose your standard (e.g., EAN-13 for retail products).
• Enter your numeric or alphanumeric data string.
• (Optional) Enable check-digits for Code 39/MSI or select Start/Stop chars for Codabar.

4️⃣ Dimensions Tab: Set Size

• Select your preferred working unit (mm, cm, in, pt, px).
• Define the critical Module Width (bar thickness) and Height.

5️⃣ Appearance Tab: Define Colors

• Input exact CMYK values for the bars (e.g., C:0 M:0 Y:0 K:100 for pure black).
• Enable/Disable background box and define its CMYK color.
• For ITF codes, enable and size Bearer Bars here.

6️⃣ Text & Position Tab

• Load system fonts and select the desired font face and size for the numbers.
• Use X/Y offsets to position the barcode precisely on your artboard.

7️⃣ Generate Click Generate to create the vector barcode instantly.

🖥️ Technical Details

• 🔹 Native Color Mode: CMYK (ensures true black generation for print).
• 🔹 Bulk Input Formats: CSV (comma or semicolon delimited) and XML.
• 🔹 Bulk Output Formats: SVG, PNG (transparent), JPG, PDF.
• 🔹 Settings Storage: Local user data folder (/BarCodeGen_Prefs.json).

⚠️ Limitations

• 🔸 Bulk generation speed depends on your machine's processor and the complexity of the chosen output format.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

1️⃣ Are the generated barcodes images or vectors?

✅ They are 100% vector paths (rectangles and text frames) grouped together. They are fully scalable without loss of quality.

2️⃣ Can I use this for professional offset or flexo printing?

✅ Yes. Because you define colors using CMYK values, you can ensure the bars are 100% Black (K) or a specific spot color equivalent for professional plate making.

3️⃣ How do I use the bulk feature?

✅ Go to the "Bulk Generation" tab, check "Enable," browse for your CSV/XML source file containing codes and filenames, select an output folder, choose your desired image formats, and click Generate.

4️⃣ The font dropdown is empty? ✅

Click the "Load System Fonts" button next to the dropdown to scan and populate the list with your currently installed fonts.

🎯 Conclusion

BarCodeGen - Barcode Generator eliminates the need for expensive plugins or unreliable external tools. By bringing professional, standards-compliant, vector-based barcode generation directly into Adobe Illustrator—with CMYK precision and bulk automation—it is the essential tool for any serious packaging or graphic designer.

🔹 Upgrade your packaging workflow today with vector precision! 🚀