2. Can you provide my bar code in a format other than EPS, such as a TIFF file?

3. When I place your EPS bar code in my document, I see writing across the middle of the bar code. Is there a problem with the bar code?

4. When I print out my document containing your EPS file, the bar code looks like a low-resolution image, and/or there is writing across the bar code.

5. I received my bar code via email, and it had a ".SIT" extension. When I tried to open it, I got an error message such as: the "application that created it could not be found".

6. I received my bar code via email, and it had a ".SIT" extension. When I tried to place it in my document, it wasn't recognized by my program as a picture file.

Answers to FAQs

1. "When I place the EPS bar code file you provided, I get an error message that says I'm missing the “MefcoOcrb” font."

Some programs, such as Adobe Illustrator, have a bug in how they handle fonts embedded in EPS files. One work-around for this bug is to use the "Link" option of Illustrator's "Place" command. If you are experiencing this missing font problem in any program, and are unable to resolve it, you can download the MefcoOcrb font by clicking here.

 2. "Can you provide my bar code in a format other than EPS, such as a TIFF file?"

We only provide our SoftMaster bar codes in EPS format. SoftMaster EPS files are uniquely designed and engineered for optimal quality and conformance, whatever the resolution and precision of the output device. EPS files are vector graphics based and can be output at the highest resolution supported by the device.  Bit-mapped raster graphic based file formats, such as TIFF files, have a fixed resolution and are UNABLE to take advantage of an output device's resolution beyond its own fixed resolution (i.e. a 1200 dpi TIFF printed on a 2400 dpi printer will still print at 1200 dpi. An EPS file would print at 2400 dpi).

3. "When I place your EPS bar code in my document, I see writing across the middle of the bar code. Is there a problem with the bar code?"

No. The text overlaying the bar code contains the technical specification information used to create it.  Note that this is only in the screen preview of the bar code, and is separate from the bar code information that gets output.  When you output the bar code, this screen preview image will NOT be printed, only the actual bar code.

4. "When I print out my document containing your EPS file, the bar code looks like a low-resolution image, and/or there is writing across the bar code."

You are outputting the screen preview, instead of the actual bar code. The two most common causes of this problem are:

a) Attempting to print to a non-PostScript printer. EPS files must be output to a PostScript printer or device in order to be interpreted correctly.

b) The EPS file that was placed in the document is inaccessible and only the low-resolution screen preview image is being printed. Any document that links to an EPS file must be able to access that file when the document is output.

5. "I received my bar code via email, and it had a ".SIT" extension. When I tried to open it, I got an error message such as: the 'application that created it could not be found'".

We send files to our Macintosh customers in a compressed Stuffit format (.SIT). Normally, you simply open the file and give the command to extract the files contained within. However, on some systems this does not work as expected. The work-around is to open Stuffit or Stuffit Expander first, and then have it open the file. If you can't find Stuffit Expander on your system, use a search function, such as Sherlock (its in the Apple menu) to find it. If a search for "Stuffit Expander" does not find it on your Macintosh, then click here to download it for free.

6. "I received my bar code via email, and it had a ".SIT" extension. When I tried to place it in my document, it wasn't recognized by my program as a picture file."

We send files to our Macintosh customers in a compressed Stuffit format (.SIT). Before you can use the file(s) we send you, you need to open the compressed file we sent you and extract out the bar codes. Save the file (with the .SIT extension) to a location on your Macintosh, open it, and extract out the bar code files. If it doesn't work, see FAQ #5 above.