2D Barcodes 
The Barcode Rack has information on the latest in the barcode industry. Thermal transfer labels and direct thermal labels are the essentials for identifying product and locations. The 2D labels provide a high degree of information in a small space. The first truly two-dimensional barcode was introduced by Intermec Corporation in 1988 when they announced Code 49. Since Code 49's introduction, many other codes have either been invented or have been redesigned to meet the need to place a portable database in as little space as possible.
There are well over 20 different 2-D barcode symbologies available today. The following is a list of a few of the more popular barcode symbols.
- Array Tag
- Aztec Code
- Codablock
- Code 1
- Code 16K
- Code 49
- CP Code
- DataGlyphs
- Data Matrix
- Datastrip Code
- Dot Code A
- Hue Code
- Maxi Code
- Mini Code
- PDF 417
- QR Code
- Smart Code
- Snowflake Code
- Super Code
- Ultra Code
Two-dimensional code systems have become more feasible with the increased use of moving beam laser scanners, and Charge Coupled Device (CCD) scanners. The 2-D symbol can be read with hand held moving beam scanners by sweeping the horizontal beam down the symbol. However, this way of reading such a symbol brings us back to the way 1D bar code was read -- by sweeping a contact wand across the symbol. The speed of sweep, resolution of the scanner, and symbol/reader distance take on the same criteria as with contact readers and one-dimensional bar code.
Initially, two-dimensional symbologies were developed for applications where only a small amount of space was available for an automatic symbol. The first application for such symbols was unit-dose packages in the healthcare industry. These packages were small and had little room to place a bar code. The electronics industry also showed an early interest in very high density bar codes, and two-dimensional symbologies since there was little room on electronics assemblies.
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