What HIBC Data Matrix Rectangular is
HIBC Data Matrix Rectangular wraps a rectangular Data Matrix symbol in HIBC's own leading "+" flag and trailing Modulo-43 check character convention (the same wrapper HIBC Codablock F above uses). REAL, NON-OBVIOUS FINDING: despite its own name, this bcid never calls bwipp_datamatrixrectangular() at all -- confirmed directly reading bwipp_hibcdatamatrixrectangular's own function body to its end: it forces "format":"rectangle" and delegates directly to plain bwipp_datamatrix(), which resolves that same forced format to the identical set of real rectangular symbol sizes bwipp_datamatrixrectangular itself already uses.
Generate it now
Enter HIBC-formatted data using the allowed character set (digits, capital letters, spaces, and -. $/+%) -- the leading "+" flag and trailing check character are added automatically.
Valid input
Up to 15,000 characters, drawn only from digits, capital letters, spaces, and the symbols -. $/+% (bwipp.hibcdatamatrixrectangularBadCharacter rejects anything else, bwipp.hibcdatamatrixrectangularEmptyData rejects an empty value, bwipp.hibcdatamatrixrectangularinputTooLong rejects longer input). The check character is the same straight additive Modulo-43 calculation HIBC Codablock F uses, computed and appended automatically by default.
Key options
Supported options include version (plain datamatrix's own real option, genuinely passed through) and validatecheck (this bcid's own real option). Real, verified: of the 24 real rectangular Data Matrix sizes, only 6 are selectable without a separate extension mode -- and at this capability's own real example payload length, only 4 of those 6 (12x26, 12x36, 16x36, 16x48) actually succeed; the 2 smallest (8x18, 8x32) reject with "Maximum length exceeded or invalid size." validatecheck default is false (off computes and appends the check character; on requires an existing one and rejects a mismatch).
Output and printing
Export SVG for vector-precise label artwork or PNG for a quick proof.
Common uses
Small medical device and surgical instrument labels, where the printable area is a narrow rectangular strip rather than a square, use this rectangular Data Matrix variant instead of the standard square HIBC Data Matrix (already covered separately in this catalog).
Example
See the live preview above, seeded with a bwip-js-verified valid value.
Size guidance
Left on its automatic default, bwip-js selects the smallest of the 6 real rectangular sizes that fits the data; fixing version to a larger size leaves headroom for a longer payload without changing the printed footprint later.
Troubleshooting
A rejected value usually means a character outside the allowed HIBC set, a mismatched check character if validating an existing one, or a fixed "version" too small for the payload -- leave version on its automatic default unless a specific size is required.
Related formats
Related formats: the separately-covered HIBC Data Matrix (square) generator, and GS1 Data Matrix Rectangular (the same non-obvious plain-datamatrix delegation, for GS1 rather than HIBC data).
FAQ
Does this call the same encoder as HIBC Data Matrix?
It calls plain Data Matrix's own encoder with the rectangular format forced, the same underlying function HIBC Data Matrix (square format) and Data Matrix Rectangular (already covered) both also call. It does not call a separate "rectangular" HIBC-specific encoder.
Why did the smallest rectangular size get rejected?
The two smallest real rectangular Data Matrix sizes (8x18, 8x32) do not have enough capacity for this capability's own HIBC-wrapped data (the leading flag character, your data, and the trailing check character together). Leave version on its automatic default to let bwip-js pick a size that fits.