Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Digital Bar Code Files FAQ's Q. Do electronic bar code files have to be provided as EPS files? A. In order to achieve the needed precision for bar code artwork, a vector based file format must be used to maintain accuracy and keep file size at a minimum. An EPS (Encapsulated Postscript) file is a common format which is compatible with all desktop publishing programs.  For a complete discussion on graphic file formats, please click here. Q.  How should EPSymbols™ be used in graphic/layout programs? A.  EPSymbols™ should be PLACED into graphic illustrations and page layouts. Many programs use either the term PLACE or IMPORT to perform this function. To incorporate an  EPSymbol™ into Quark, a "Picture Box" must be drawn and the "Get Picture" command should be used. For specific instruction for other programs, click here.  Q. Why can’t I open the EPS File that was sent to me? A. An EPS file cannot be "opened". The graphic file needs to be "placed" within a document in a graphic application such as Adobe Illustrator or Quark Express. The "Place" function in a graphic application is usually entitled "Place", "Get Picture", or "Import".  Q. Why is it necessary to know the output resolution of our imagesetter or printer? A. Our Online EPSymbol™ Application creates the most accurate bar code files available. If a known output resolution is entered, our program can build bar code that will maximize the precision of the output device being used. Bar Code Graphics recommends that EPSymbols™ be output a minimum of 2400 dpi, if they are to be properly used for pre-press artwork. Lesser resolution cannot always compose a precise symbol required for duplication. Q. Can EPSymbols™ be resized? A. Digital bar code file should not be resized. Our EPSymbols™ are produced to reduce rounding errors which may occur during output. When bar code symbols are resized, the files rounding calculation is corrupted, and a less than accurate symbol may result. Q. What is the difference between digital bar code files and film masters? A. The original procedure for creating bar code symbols included the usage of film masters for wet ink printing processes. A film master is the plate-ready artwork of a bar code which is compensated for print growth, and is precise to +/-.0002”. When provided from companies such as Bar Code Graphics film masters are created with strict process controls and are mechanically measured to ensure accuracy. When bar codes are electronically originated, the use of film masters is essentially eliminated as well as the necessary controls on proper encodation and correct growth compensation. Without any precise pre-plate verification/measurement, problem bar codes electronically originated can only be checked after the symbol has been printed. Q. How much space will an EPSymbols™ take out of my hard drive? A. The EPSymbols™ that we supply are approximately 39-40k in size. Q. On some EPSymbols™, why isn't the preview image completely smooth ? A. Some graphics programs display the preview image portion of an EPS file differently. However, when the image is outputed, all the text characters will be smooth.  Although our EPSymbols are created at a high resolution, the resolution of a monitor is relatively low (72 dpi).