Whether we notice it or not, barcodes are being used all around us in more applications than ever today. From tracking products throughout their life cycle to advertising and even video games, there is a wide range of barcodes fit for any way you can think of using them.

This handy infographic shines some light on the 2 main categories of barcodes, 1D vs. 2D codes, and what their benefits and uses are. It’s a great primer to see how you can use barcodes in ways outside of the retail check-out lane.

You’ll find that no matter what data you are trying to track or encode, Barcodes, Inc. can help you find the right printer, labels, scanners, and mobile devices to get the most out of any barcode.