Industrial solutions for
product marking & coding
Industrial solutions for
product marking & coding
Development & manufacture
"Made in Germany"
50 years of experience
in business & industry

Data matrix code

What is a data matrix code?

A data matrix code is a two-dimensional (2D) code invented by International Data Matrix, Inc. (ID Matrix) and consisting of identically-sized contiguous black and white squares and/or rectangles. The pattern of black and white squares/rectangles is called the matrix, hence the name of the code.

The data matrix code has, over time, become the most familiar of the 2D codes. It is often employed for the direct marketing of products by means of laser and inkjet printers.

What information can a data matrix code store?

The data matrix code can encode various types of data, including numeric and alphanumeric characters. In particular, the data matrix code can store:

  • Up to 3.116 numeric characters.
  • Up to 2.335 alphanumeric characters.
  • Up to 1.556 binary characters.

However, and unlike the QR code, the data matrix code does not support kanji or kana characters.

It is worth noting that the amount of information a data matrix code is able to store varies depending on the size of the code. In this sense, the smaller the code, the less information it can store, and so the other way around.

Where are data matrix codes used?

The data matrix code is widely used for industrial applications.

Because they can store great amounts of data in a reduced space, data matrix codes are often used to mark small electronic components. They are also used in the food industry to mark food products and guarantee product traceability.

How to create a data matrix code

Similar to the QR code or code 39, the data matrix code can be easily created with the help of a data matrix code generator. Some generators are available for free on the Internet and only require the user to enter the information that must be encoded. The generator then transforms the information into a data matrix code and the user can print it and apply it.

In the industrial sector, the process of creating and applying data matrix codes is usually automated. Normally, the code is directly printed on an item by a labeling machine (e.g. an inkjet printer) or printed on a label that is later applied to the item.

Differences between a data matrix code and a QR code

Although they might look similar, data matrix and QR codes have some differences. In particular, QR codes can encode more information than data matrix codes and support kanji and kana characters. However, data matrix codes can encode more information within the same space than QR codes.

Applications

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