Scanning Inverted (White-on-Black) Elo Serial Number Barcode Labels

Audience: Public / Elo Customers, Inventory Technicians & Warehouse Operators

Article Type: Hardware Identification & Barcode Scanning Troubleshooting

While standard commercial barcodes are printed as black bars on a white background, Elo hardware serial number labels typically feature inverse video / negative polarity printing (white bars on a black background) to match the industrial chassis styling.

If your barcode scanner fails to decode Elo serial numbers or part numbers during asset tagging or inventory intake, your scanner's optical decode engine may have inverse barcode reading disabled by default.

Label Visual Comparison

1. Standard Elo Inverted Label (White on Black):

2. Standard Polarity Label (Black on White):

How to Resolve Inverse Barcode Scanning Issues

Option 1: Enable "Inverse / Video Reverse" on Your Existing Scanner

Most commercial 1D and 2D imagers support inverse barcode decoding, but require scanning a configuration barcode from the manufacturer's programming manual to enable the feature:

• Zebra DS-Series (e.g., DS2208, DS3608, DS8108): Scan the configuration programming barcodes in the Zebra Knowledge Article: Enabling Inverse 1D/2D Barcode Reading.
• Honeywell & Other Brands: Access the scanner's user guide or configuration utility (e.g., Honeywell EZConfig) and set "1D Inverse" or "Video Reverse" to Inverse / Both Regular and Inverse.

Option 2: Deploy Compatible 2D Imagers

If your current scanner is a legacy single-line laser with no inverse capability, upgrade to an area-imaging scanner that natively supports negative polarity codes:

• Zebra Technologies: DS2200, DS4600, DS8100, and DS3600 Ultra-Rugged Series.
• Honeywell: Xenon 1900/1950g, 4600g, and MS1690 Focus Series.