Customize Barcode Borders

Customize Barcode Borders

Aspose.BarCode for Java can draw a decorative border around the generated barcode image. You can configure border visibility, color, and width.

For ITF-14, separate bearer-bar settings are available because bearer bars are part of the symbology-specific layout rather than a decorative image border.

The complete source code for the examples in this article is available on GitHub:

View BordersExample.java

Enable an image border

Use BorderParameters to enable a border around the complete generated image.

BarcodeGenerator generator = new BarcodeGenerator(
        EncodeTypes.CODE_128,
        "BORDER-RED-2PT"
);

BorderParameters border =
        generator.getParameters().getBorder();

border.setVisible(true);
border.getWidth().setPoint(2.0f);
border.setColor(new Color(0xE5, 0x2B, 0x2B));

The border width can be specified through the Unit returned by getWidth().

Keep the border outside the barcode area

A decorative border should remain visually separate from the barcode bars or modules. Add enough padding so that the border does not intrude into the required blank margins.

generator.getParameters()
        .getBarcode()
        .getPadding()
        .getLeft()
        .setPixels(14);

generator.getParameters()
        .getBarcode()
        .getPadding()
        .getRight()
        .setPixels(14);

generator.getParameters()
        .getBarcode()
        .getPadding()
        .getTop()
        .setPixels(10);

generator.getParameters()
        .getBarcode()
        .getPadding()
        .getBottom()
        .setPixels(10);

Then save the image:

generator.save(
        "c128_border_red_2pt_on_white.png",
        BarCodeImageFormat.PNG
);

Add a white border on a dark background

A barcode image can use a dark background, light modules, and a contrasting border.

BarcodeGenerator generator = new BarcodeGenerator(
        EncodeTypes.QR,
        "QR-WHITE-BORDER"
);

generator.getParameters()
        .setBackColor(Color.BLACK);

generator.getParameters()
        .getBarcode()
        .setBarColor(Color.WHITE);

BorderParameters border =
        generator.getParameters().getBorder();

border.setVisible(true);
border.getWidth().setPoint(2.0f);
border.setColor(Color.WHITE);

generator.getParameters()
        .getBarcode()
        .getPadding()
        .getLeft()
        .setPixels(16);

generator.getParameters()
        .getBarcode()
        .getPadding()
        .getRight()
        .setPixels(16);

generator.getParameters()
        .getBarcode()
        .getPadding()
        .getTop()
        .setPixels(16);

generator.getParameters()
        .getBarcode()
        .getPadding()
        .getBottom()
        .setPixels(16);

generator.getParameters()
        .getImageWidth()
        .setPixels(260);

generator.getParameters()
        .getImageHeight()
        .setPixels(260);

generator.save(
        "qr_white_border_on_black.png",
        BarCodeImageFormat.PNG
);

This example creates a white QR Code and a white solid border on a black background.

Inverted barcodes are not supported equally by all scanners. A generated image can be visually correct even when a particular reader does not recognize it. Therefore, the related test verifies that the image is created but does not require successful barcode recognition.

For maximum interoperability, use dark modules on a light background.

Set border width in physical units

Border width can also be specified in millimeters for a target resolution.

BarcodeGenerator generator = new BarcodeGenerator(
        EncodeTypes.EAN_13,
        "5901234123457"
);

BorderParameters border =
        generator.getParameters().getBorder();

border.setVisible(true);
border.setColor(new Color(0x0B, 0x57, 0xD0));

Unit borderWidth = border.getWidth();

borderWidth.updateResolution(300f);
borderWidth.setMillimeters(1.0f);

In this example, the border width is configured as 1 mm at 300 DPI.

Configure ITF-14 bearer bars

ITF-14 uses bearer bars that are specific to the symbology.

BarcodeGenerator generator = new BarcodeGenerator(
        EncodeTypes.ITF_14,
        "10012345000017"
);

ITFParameters itfParameters = generator.getParameters()
        .getBarcode()
        .getITF();

itfParameters.setItfBorderType(
        ITF14BorderType.FRAME
);

Unit bearerThickness =
        itfParameters.getItfBorderThickness();

bearerThickness.updateResolution(300f);
bearerThickness.setMillimeters(2.5f);

itfParameters.setQuietZoneCoef(12);

The FRAME option creates a rectangular bearer around the barcode.

Use an alternative ITF-14 bearer layout

ITF-14 also supports alternative bearer layouts such as BAR_OUT.

BarcodeGenerator generator = new BarcodeGenerator(
        EncodeTypes.ITF_14,
        "10012345000017"
);

ITFParameters itfParameters = generator.getParameters()
        .getBarcode()
        .getITF();

itfParameters.setItfBorderType(
        ITF14BorderType.BAR_OUT
);

Unit bearerThickness =
        itfParameters.getItfBorderThickness();

bearerThickness.updateResolution(300f);
bearerThickness.setMillimeters(2.0f);

itfParameters.setQuietZoneCoef(12);

The exact bearer type, thickness, and quiet-zone dimensions should be validated against the applicable barcode specification and printing process.

Decorative borders and bearer bars

A decorative image border and an ITF-14 bearer bar serve different purposes:

  • a decorative border surrounds the complete generated image;
  • an ITF-14 bearer bar is part of the barcode-specific layout;
  • padding separates a decorative border from the barcode;
  • QuietZoneCoef controls the ITF-14 quiet zone in multiples of X-dimension.

Do not replace required ITF-14 bearer bars with a decorative image border.

Recommendations

  • Keep decorative borders outside the required quiet zones.
  • Use sufficient padding between the barcode and the border.
  • Avoid thick borders close to linear barcode bars.
  • Prefer dark bars or modules on a light background for reliable recognition.
  • Do not assume that inverted barcodes are supported by every scanner.
  • Treat ITF-14 bearer bars as symbology-specific elements.
  • Validate physical dimensions against the target resolution and printing process.
  • Test the final image with the intended scanner.
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