Barcodes for Event Tickets and Check-In

Comparing ticket symbologies

• Aztec: square 2D code with a central bullseye and no quiet zone needed, which makes it reliable on phone screens; widely used for rail and airline tickets.
• PDF417: stacked linear code used on IATA boarding passes (BCBP) and many ID cards; it needs a wider, flatter area.
• QR Code: familiar to everyone and read by any phone camera.
• Code 128: still found on simple printed tickets and wristbands.

What to put in the code

Store a random, unique ticket ID, not personal data. A sequential number like 0001 is easy to guess, so combine a prefix with a random part, or generate IDs in your spreadsheet. The door team checks each ID against the guest list; once scanned, the same ID should not be accepted again.

Never post a photo of a ticket on social media: anyone can copy the code and use it before you arrive.

Checking guests in without a ticketing platform

For small events, load the list of issued ticket IDs as an expected list in the scanner. Each valid scan is ticked off; a second scan of the same ticket shows as over the count, and IDs that are not on the list are flagged straight away. Batch mode keeps scanning without extra taps, and the whole check runs offline, which helps in venues with poor reception.

How to make it

1. Create a CSV of ticket IDs and guest names, or use a number sequence with a prefix.
2. Open Print, choose Aztec or QR and map the ID column to the code value.
3. Print tickets or export the codes as PNG/SVG for email.
4. On the day, load the same list in Scan as an expected list and scan each guest.

Frequently asked questions