Miscellaneous symbols Generator

What this miscellaneous symbols tool is

This generator draws one of exactly 7 real, hardcoded reference patterns bwip-js calls "symbol" -- not a general-purpose named-glyph tool. Confirmed directly reading the complete function body: it accepts only "fima", "fimb", "fimc", "fimd", "fime" (the 5 real USPS Facing Identification Mark patterns -- each with its own distinct bar-space sequence used on U.S. mail to help automated equipment identify special mail types), "zebra" (a uniform, repeating equal-width bar pattern -- a bar-width test/ruler pattern), and "check" (a 199x199 alternating-pixel checkerboard 2D test pattern). Any other value is rejected outright (bwipp.symbolUnknownSymbol).

Generate it now

Choose one of the 7 real symbol names from the dropdown to see a live preview -- this value is constrained to a fixed, real set rather than free text, since no other value is ever accepted.

Valid input

Exactly one of "fima", "fimb", "fimc", "fimd", "fime", "zebra", or "check" -- any other value is rejected (bwipp.symbolUnknownSymbol: "Unknown symbol name provided").

Key options

This capability declares no real per-bcid option beyond the generic width/modunit sizing settings -- its own distinguishing surface is the constrained 7-value selector itself, described above.

Output and printing

Export SVG for vector-precise artwork or PNG for a quick proof.

Common uses

The 5 FIM patterns are used on U.S. mail (courtesy reply and business reply mail types among them) to help USPS automated sorting equipment identify and route special mail categories without reading the address itself. "zebra" and "check" are structural test patterns (a uniform bar-width ruler and a checkerboard pattern respectively) rather than information-carrying symbols.

Example

See the live preview above, seeded with a bwip-js-verified valid value.

Size guidance

Each of the 5 FIM patterns and "zebra" has its own fixed bar/space sequence at a fixed relative scale; "check" is a fixed 199x199 pixel grid. Only the overall width control changes the printed size.

Troubleshooting

A rejected value means a name other than the 7 real accepted ones was entered -- the dropdown above only ever offers a real, accepted value, so this should not occur through the normal UI.

Related formats

For a real USPS mailpiece barcode carrying an actual delivery-point identifier, use the separately-covered USPS Intelligent Mail (onecode) or USPS POSTNET generators instead -- FIM patterns are a distinct, separate marking from those.

FAQ