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How to print GS1-128 or UCC EAN 128 barcode with Zebra ZPL printers and VB.NET or C# by using ThermalLabel SDK for .NET

Prerequisites
  • Neodynamic ThermalLabel SDK for .NET
  • Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0 (or greater)
  • Microsoft Visual Studio 2005 / 2008
  • Microsoft Visual Studio 2005 / 2008 Express Editions (VB, C#, J#, and C++)
  • Any Zebra Thermal Printer supporting ZPL (Zebra Programming Language)
All Zebra (ZPL-based) thermal barcode printers provide built-in support for printing GS1-128 (previously referred to as UCC/EAN-128 or EAN-128) barcodes as well as other barcode standards.

The GS1-128 (a.k.a. UCC/EAN-128) Symbology is a subset of the more general Code 128 Symbology. GS1-128 was developed to provide a worldwide format and standard for exchanging common data between companies. While other barcodes simply encode data with no respect for what the data represents, GS1-128 encodes data and encodes what that data represents. GS1-128 has a list of Application Identifiers (AI) which can be a 2, 3, or 4-digit number that identifies the type of data which follows. By convention, the Application Identifier is enclosed in parentheses when printed below the barcode (the parentheses are only for visual clarity, and are not encoded in the barcode).

In this guide you will learn how to print GS1-128 barcodes with Zebra ZPL printers by using ThermalLabel SDK for .NET

IMPORTANT: To test the sample code you must have installed a Zebra ZPL thermal printer.

Follow these steps:
  • Download and install latest version of Neodynamic ThermalLabel SDK for .NET
  • Open Visual Studio 2005 /2008 and create a Windows Forms application.
  • Add a reference to Neodynamic.SDK.ThermalLabel.dll assembly.
  • Example of encoding Global Trade Item Number (GTIN) 95012345678903 using AI 01 (Shipping Contained Code) in GS1-128. Add a button control onto the form and paste the following code in the click event handler of the button:
    Visual Basic .NET 
    'Define a ThermalLabel object and set unit to cm and label size

Dim tLabel As New ThermalLabel(UnitType.Cm, 10, 8)

'Define a BarcodeItem object

Dim bc As New BarcodeItem(1, 1, BarcodeSymbology.UccEan128, "(01)95012345678903")
'Set bars' width and height...

bc.BarWidth = 0.04
bc.BarHeight = 2           
'Disable checksum...

bc.AddChecksum = false

'Add items to ThermalLabel object...

tLabel.Items.Add(bc)

'Create a PrintJob object

Dim pj As New PrintJob()
'Thermal Printer is connected through USB

pj.PrinterSettings.Communication.CommunicationType = CommunicationType.USB
'Set Thermal Printer resolution

pj.PrinterSettings.Dpi = 203
'Set Thermal Printer name 

pj.PrinterSettings.PrinterName = "Zebra  TLP2844-Z"
'Print ThermalLabel object...

pj.Print(tLabel)
    Visual C# .NET 
    //Define a ThermalLabel object and set unit to cm and label size
ThermalLabel tLabel = new ThermalLabel(UnitType.Cm, 10, 8);

//Define a BarcodeItem object
BarcodeItem bc = new BarcodeItem(1, 1, BarcodeSymbology.UccEan128, "(01)95012345678903");
//Set bars' width and height...
bc.BarWidth = 0.04;
bc.BarHeight = 2;

//Add items to ThermalLabel object...
tLabel.Items.Add(bc);

//Create a PrintJob object
PrintJob pj = new PrintJob();
//Thermal Printer is connected through USB
pj.PrinterSettings.Communication.CommunicationType = CommunicationType.USB;
//Set Thermal Printer resolution
pj.PrinterSettings.Dpi = 203;
//Set Thermal Printer name 
pj.PrinterSettings.PrinterName = "Zebra  TLP2844-Z";
//Print ThermalLabel object...
pj.Print(tLabel);
  • Example of encoding and concatenating net weight (4 kg) using AI 31 (Product Net Weight in Kg) with the associated Global Trade Item Number (GTIN) 95012345678903 using AI 01 (Shipping Contained Code) in GS1-128. Add another button control onto the form and paste the following code in the click event handler of the button:
    Visual Basic .NET 
    'Define a ThermalLabel object and set unit to cm and label size

Dim tLabel As New ThermalLabel(UnitType.Cm, 10, 8)

'Define a BarcodeItem object

Dim bc As New BarcodeItem(1, 1, BarcodeSymbology.UccEan128, "(01)95012345678903(3102)000400")
'Set bars' width and height...

bc.BarWidth = 0.04
bc.BarHeight = 2           
'Disable checksum...

bc.AddChecksum = false

'Add items to ThermalLabel object...

tLabel.Items.Add(bc)

'Create a PrintJob object

Dim pj As New PrintJob()
'Thermal Printer is connected through USB

pj.PrinterSettings.Communication.CommunicationType = CommunicationType.USB
'Set Thermal Printer resolution

pj.PrinterSettings.Dpi = 203
'Set Thermal Printer name 

pj.PrinterSettings.PrinterName = "Zebra  TLP2844-Z"
'Print ThermalLabel object...

pj.Print(tLabel)
    Visual C# .NET 
    //Define a ThermalLabel object and set unit to cm and label size
ThermalLabel tLabel = new ThermalLabel(UnitType.Cm, 10, 8);

//Define a BarcodeItem object
BarcodeItem bc = new BarcodeItem(1, 1, BarcodeSymbology.UccEan128, "(01)95012345678903(3102)000400");
//Set bars' width and height...
bc.BarWidth = 0.04;
bc.BarHeight = 2;

//Add items to ThermalLabel object...
tLabel.Items.Add(bc);

//Create a PrintJob object
PrintJob pj = new PrintJob();
//Thermal Printer is connected through USB
pj.PrinterSettings.Communication.CommunicationType = CommunicationType.USB;
//Set Thermal Printer resolution
pj.PrinterSettings.Dpi = 203;
//Set Thermal Printer name 
pj.PrinterSettings.PrinterName = "Zebra  TLP2844-Z";
//Print ThermalLabel object...
pj.Print(tLabel);
  • Run the sample Windows Forms application and test it.
If you need more information or assistance, please contact our .
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