GS1 DataMatrix in Adobe Illustrator

GS1 DataMatrix is the 2D code used on pharmaceutical packaging, medical devices and increasingly on regular packaging — it carries structured data such as GTIN, expiry date, lot number and serial number. Vectode encodes it correctly (FNC1, GS1 Application Identifiers) and places it on your artboard as vector paths.

How to insert it in Illustrator

1. Open the Vectode panel (Window ▸ Extensions ▸ Vectode) or the standalone app.
2. Choose GS1 DataMatrix and fill in your data — GTIN (01), expiry (17), lot (10), serial (21) and other GS1 Application Identifiers.
3. Click Insert. Vectode builds the element string with the correct FNC1 and separators and places the code as vector paths.

What Vectode gets right

• GS1-compliant encoding: leading FNC1, Application Identifiers, group separators where required
• Common AIs for pharma serialization: (01) GTIN, (17) expiry date, (10) lot/batch, (21) serial number
• ECC 200 error correction (the only Data Matrix variant GS1 allows)
• Square symbol sizes chosen automatically to fit your data
• True vector output — sharp at the small sizes pharma cartons require

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between Data Matrix and GS1 DataMatrix?

The bars look the same, but GS1 DataMatrix starts with a special FNC1 character and structures its content with GS1 Application Identifiers — (01) GTIN, (17) expiry and so on. Scanners and verification systems rely on that structure; a plain Data Matrix with the same text is not compliant.

Can I use it for EU FMD serialized medicine packaging?

Yes — the EU Falsified Medicines Directive requires a GS1 DataMatrix carrying the product code, serial number, expiry date and batch number. Vectode encodes exactly this structure. Always verify the printed result against your verification requirements before production.

Why vector and not a PNG from an online generator?

Pharma codes print small. A rasterized code resized in layout software gets blurry module edges and can fail grading. A vector code keeps every module edge mathematically sharp at any size.

More codes in Vectode: EAN-13 & EAN-8 · UPC-A & UPC-E · Data Matrix & Aztec · Pharma codes (PPN, SÚKL) · all features →