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Encoder App USPS IMb FAQ FIM Font Download Demo
The Intelligent Mail barcode (IMb) is a tracing, routing, sorting, and tracking symbology type based on the 4-State symbology that is used for services including OneCode Confirm & OneCode ACS. This IMb barcode is also referred to as the OneCode Solution, 4-State Customer Barcode, USPS4CB, and 4-CB.
Encoder App USPS IMb FAQ FIM Font Download Demo
This font package allows the generation of all barcodes used by the USPS in a variety of operating systems, environments, and applications. All barcode fonts require special formatting so that the data will create a readable barcode when the font is applied. Over 30 royalty-free font encoder tools, macros, and plug-ins are provided to complete this automatically.
Many font encoder tools are available to assist with application integration. These encoders automatically format the start, stop, and check characters to the data-to-encode to generate a readable barcode from a font. To create a single barcode, consider the Font Encoder Software Application. Some of the font encoders include:
"We chose this product because of clearly presented product descriptions and availability of macros to help with check digits etc. We can now use the barcode fonts in our packaging designs instead of creating a graphic and placing it in the documents manually. It's much faster and more reliable."
- Joseph Wood, Vernon Communication, Elmhurst, IL
"I can print USPS barcodes on our newsletter mailing labels directly from our database, export data to the SmartAddresser 2020 software and qualify for Automation rates when mailing newsletters."
- John Langer, USCWM, Pasadena CA
The first step in creating any USPS barcode is to obtain the data that is to be encoded from a font encoder. The links below will provide the information necessary to create a string of text that may be encoded in a function.
After the data is in the proper format for the function, the text is passed to the function and the result is a text string that the font is then applied, to produce a proper barcode symbol. The functions are available in many font encoders to automatically format data to the font. When a font encoder cannot be utilized, it is recommended to access a database that contains the text string already formatted for the font. The Word mail-merge example included in this package works in this manner; a merge field in Word is linked to a column in Excel that contains the text string formatted for the font.
After the data is formatted to the USPS font and the appropriate font has been selected, it will display and print properly. The font size of 12 points should be used when printing all IMb, Postnet, and Planet barcodes. FIM symbols should be printed with a font size of 36 points. The Code 128 font used for GS1-128 should be printed at 16 points for USPS Special Services. More information about the sizing of fonts is provided in the Font Specifications chart below.
IDAutomation suggests printing USPS fonts at the recommended point sizes specified in this section. When TrueType, PostScript, or OpenType fonts are used, the size may be further adjusted by changing the font point size. For example, to print the 12-point Postnet barcode font slightly wider, increase the font size to 12.1 points.
| Parameter | Approximate Font Dimensions at 12 Points | USPS Specification Tolerances |
| X Dimension (width of bars) | .017" | .015" - .025" |
| Width of space between bars | .026" | .012" - .040" |
| Full vertical size of Intelligent Mail | .135" | .125" - .165" |
| Vertical size of Intelligent Mail tracker | .041" | .039" - .057" |
| Height of Postnet short bar | .051" | .040" - .060" |
| Height of Postnet tall bar | .126" | .115" - .135" |
| Number of bars per inch | 23 | 22 - 24 |
| Font Name | Point Size | CPI | ANSI Size |
| IDAutomationOCRa | 9 | 10 | 1 |
| Parameter | Approximate Font Dimensions at 16 pt | USPS Dimension Standards |
| X Dimension | .0135" | .013" - .020" |
| Height of bars | .75" | .75" - .80" |
| Parameter | Approximate Font Dimensions at 21 pt | |
| X Dimension | .017" | |
| Height of bars | 1" |
| Implementation | Font Name | Font Encoder Function |
| IMB Barcode | IDAutomationIMB IDAutomationIMBn1 * IDAutomationIMBn2 |
IntelligentMail(), OneCode() or IDAutomation_Uni_OneCode() ** |
| Postnet Barcode | IDAutomationPOSTNET IDAutomationPOSTNETn1 * IDAutomationPOSTNETn2 |
Postnet() |
| Planet Barcode | IDAutomationPLANET IDAutomationPLANETn1 * IDAutomationPLANETn2 |
Postnet() |
| OCR-A Text | IDAutomationOCRa | na |
| Code 128 Barcode | IDAutomationC128L | Code128() |
| FIM Barcode | IDAutomationFIM | na |
* Fonts ending with N1 or N2 signify different narrow intensities:
** Intelligent Mail IMb barcode fonts are currently supported with OneCode() and IntelligentMail() encoding methods which are identical and may be used interchangeably.
Intelligent Mail (IMb) barcodes may be created from IDAutomation's fonts and font encoder tools, as well as other encoders, such as the encoders provided by the US Postal Service. To accommodate both types of encoding, each 4-State symbol element is positioned at two character locations within the IDAutomationIMB font according to the following table:
| 4CB Symbol Element | Character Locations |
| Ascender | A, q |
| Descender | D, r |
| Full Bar | F, p |
| Tracker | T, s |
The USPS IMb specification uses uppercase letters for encoding while IDAutomation font encoders use lowercase letters. The lowercase letters are used to provide complete compatibility with the IDAutomation Universal Barcode Font, which allows the generation of IMb, as well as Code 128, Code 39, and Interleaved 2 of 5 barcode symbols from a single font.
* Due to limitations within Crystal Reports formulas, complex barcode types, including USPS Intelligent Mail, require the installation of the IDAutomation UFL (version 2014 or later) to perform a portion of the complex calculations required for proper barcode generation. Installation of this UFL is automatic when running the installer for this product. In addition, a silent installer is provided with all developer licenses of this product to easily install the UFL when distributing reports. A separate installer is provided for systems that do not have .NET 2x-3x installed; this is provided in the ".NET Framework 4.5 UFL Installer" folder of the downloaded zip file.
The Install was Easy
I am using the fonts to recreate the IMB Barcode through Microsoft Word. It is a very archaic way of producing variable data pieces but the font was needed for Postal Services regulation. The install was easy and I did not need technical support through the install process.
Works without hassle!
So, you need to print an IMb. You have a number of options. Some are free, some are expensive, and most are a pain to use. This package of fonts, support, and all the work of creating the tools to use them, sits at the upper end of the least-expensive solutions. The supplied tools Just Plain Work. No hassle. Though I did not run into any problems, knowing that I have someone to call should it happen is worth the cost of admission.
Ready to Print!
You are the man! Thanks a lot for your help over the phone getting this up and running. We are ready to print!
Installed just like any other font, easily.
We chose this product because of clearly presented product descriptions and availability of macros to help with check digits etc. We can now use the barcode fonts in our packaging designs instead of creating a graphic and placing it in the documents manually. It's much faster and more reliable.