Mercian Labels subsidiary AC Labels has printed the world’s biggest barcode to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the launch of the technology.
To celebrate the 60th anniversary of the patenting of the barcode, variable barcode labelling specialist AC Labels in Derby (UK) has produced what is believed to be the world’s longest linear barcode self adhesive label.
The monster label, measuring 40 metres long was constructed using the classic Code 128 linear barcode symbology to say ‘Happy 60th Birthday Barcode!’ in machine readable format on self adhesive label material. The label was printed in just over two minutes on a Xeikon 3300 on a single piece of material without any stitching of the barcode image. The attempt has been submitted to the Guinness Book of Records as a world record attempt.
According to Adrian Steele, managing director of the Mercian Labels Group, ‘This exercise was undertaken to test the capabilities of our equipment to address unusual barcode label projects as well as celebrating the barcode’s birthday. Unusually, it is also one of the few labels to leave our factory without knowingly being verified to ANSI standards, but to be honest finding a scanning device up to the job has proved somewhat challenging. Our best idea so far is to ask NASA to spin the Hubble space telescope around and take a snap.’
