isahaq/barcode

A dependency-free PHP barcode generator: 44 barcode types, multiple output formats, a CLI, and first-class Laravel integration.

Table of Contents

• Features
• Requirements
• Installation
• Quick Start
• Usage
  • Plain PHP
  • The service class
  • QR codes
  • Batch generation
  • Validation
• Laravel
• Command Line
• Supported Barcode Types
• Output Formats
• Rendering Options
• Known Limitations
• Testing
• Contributing
• Security
• Changelog
• License

Features

• 44 barcode types — linear, EAN/UPC, postal, 2D matrix, and stacked symbologies
• Multiple output formats — PNG, SVG, and HTML built in; JPG and PDF via dedicated renderers
• QR codes — including centered logos, labels, and selectable error-correction levels
• Laravel integration — auto-discovered service provider and Barcode facade
• Batch generation — encode many payloads through one type/renderer pair
• Validation — check a payload against a symbology before you render it
• No runtime Composer dependencies — pure PHP plus standard extensions

Requirements

Installation

On Laravel 5.5+ the service provider and facade are registered automatically via package discovery. For older versions, register them by hand in config/app.php:

Quick Start

Every method returns the encoded image as a string of bytes — write it to disk, stream it in a response, or base64-encode it into an <img> tag.

Usage

Plain PHP

Compose a type and a renderer directly when you want full control:

Colours are set on the renderer, not through the options array:

The service class

BarcodeService resolves types and renderers from strings, which is usually more convenient:

Unknown type names fall back to Code 128, and unknown formats fall back to PNG — validate input yourself if that matters to you.

QR codes

QR codes are generated through ModernQRCode, which supports logos, labels, and error correction:

Use error-correction level H whenever you overlay a logo, so the code stays scannable.

Batch generation

BatchGenerator::generate() is static and takes an instantiated type and renderer. It returns an array of encoded images keyed in the same order as the input:

Validation

Validator::validate() is static and accepts an optional by-reference error message:

Laravel

The facade proxies to BarcodeService, so every service method is available statically:

Return a barcode straight from a controller or route:

The facade also exposes a modernQr() helper that takes a single options array:

In Blade templates:

Resolve the service from the container if you prefer injection over the facade:

Command Line

The package ships a small generator script:

Omit --output to write the raw image to STDOUT. Note that this script currently always emits a Code 128 PNG — see Known Limitations.

Supported Barcode Types

Pass any of these names as the $type argument. Names are case-insensitive.

Code 128 family

code128 · code128a · code128b · code128c · code128auto

Code 39 family

code39 · code39checksum · code39e · code39echecksum · code39auto

Other linear

code93 · code25 · code25auto · code32 (Italian Pharmacode) · standard25 · standard25checksum · interleaved25 · interleaved25checksum · interleaved25auto · msi · msichecksum · msiauto

EAN / UPC

ean2 · ean5 · ean8 · ean13 · itf14 · upca · upce

Postal

postnet · planet · rms4cc · kix · imb

Specialized

codabar · code11 · pharmacode · pharmacodetwotracks

2D matrix

datamatrix · aztec · pdf417 · maxicode

Stacked linear

code16k · code49

Choosing a type

Output Formats

JPG and PDF are not wired into the service's format resolver, so request them through their renderers:

Rendering Options

Options are passed as the last argument to render(), make(), png(), svg(), and html().

PNG renderer

SVG renderer

Foreground and background colours are set with setForegroundColor() and setBackgroundColor() on the renderer instance, and are ignored if passed in the options array.

Known Limitations

Being upfront about the rough edges in the current release:

• qrcode and microqr are not usable as type names. BarcodeService::make('qrcode', ...) and QrCodeBuilder both reference classes that are not shipped and will throw Error: Class not found. Use ModernQRCode or Barcode::modernQr() instead.
• The CLI ignores --type and --format. It always produces a Code 128 PNG. It also resolves the autoloader relative to the package directory, so it is most reliable when run from a clone.
• jpg and pdf are not valid format strings. Requesting them from make() silently returns PNG. Instantiate JPGRenderer or PDFRenderer directly.
• ext-gd is not declared in composer.json even though PNG and JPG output need it.

Contributions that close any of these gaps are very welcome.

Testing

Or run PHPUnit directly:

Other useful scripts:

Contributing

Pull requests are welcome. Please read CONTRIBUTING.md first; in short:

1. Fork the repository and create a branch off main.
2. Follow PSR-12 and keep the existing code style.
3. Add tests for anything you change.
4. Make sure composer test passes, then open a pull request.

By participating you agree to the Code of Conduct.

Security

If you discover a security issue, please review SECURITY.md and report it privately to [email protected] rather than opening a public issue.

Changelog

See CHANGELOG.md for release history.

License

Released under the MIT License.

Credits

Built and maintained by Isahaq. Thanks to everyone who has reported issues and contributed improvements.

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