Everything, organised.
In-depth, jargon-free guides covering the whole life of a barcode ticket — the formats, how scanning works, what keeps tickets secure, and what to do when something goes wrong.
Start here
How barcode tickets work
The full pipeline: issue, deliver, present, validate.
Mobile vs. paper
Where each format still wins in 2026.
Barcode formats
Ticket formats explained
QR, PDF417, Aztec, Data Matrix and Code 128, one by one.
Format comparison
QR vs PDF417 vs Aztec vs Data Matrix vs Code 128, head to head.
Troubleshooting & using your ticket
Scanning tips
Brightness, margins, glare — the pre-gate checklist.
Why won't my ticket scan?
Symptom-by-symptom fixes for failed and rejected scans.
My ticket has no barcode
Why the code is missing and how to find it.
Can I screenshot my ticket?
When a screenshot scans and when it won't.
By ticket type
Airline boarding passes
IATA BCBP, PDF417, and what the code holds.
Train & transit tickets
Why rail e-tickets favour the Aztec code.
Concert & event tickets
QR, rotating SafeTix-style codes, and app-only entry.