How can I print barcodes in ASP.NET using C#?

You can print barcodes in ASP.NET using C# by creating an MVC project, installing the IronBarcode library, configuring the Model, Controller, and View, and then utilizing the CreateBarcode method to generate and print barcode images.

What is the role of IronBarcode in barcode printing?

IronBarcode is a third-party library used to generate and customize barcode images in ASP.NET C# projects. It offers features like adding logos, resizing, and saving barcodes in various formats.

How do you add a barcode value text above a barcode using IronBarcode?

To add a barcode value text above a barcode, you can use the AddBarcodeValueTextAboveBarcode() method provided by the IronBarcode library.

Can IronBarcode generate QR codes?

Yes, IronBarcode can generate QR codes by changing the encoding scheme from Code128 to QRCode.

What is required to install the IronBarcode library in an ASP.NET project?

To install the IronBarcode library, use the Package Manager Console in Microsoft Visual Studio and execute the command to install the library into your ASP.NET project.

What is the purpose of the BarcodeModel class when printing barcodes?

The BarcodeModel class is used to define the properties needed for barcode generation, such as the file name and the barcode content.

How can you save a generated barcode as a JPEG using IronBarcode?

You can save a generated barcode as a JPEG using the SaveAsJpeg(filepath) method of the IronBarcode's BarcodeWriter class.

What are the benefits of using the Iron Suite of libraries?

The Iron Suite offers extensive support for barcode generation, PDF document processing, Excel manipulation, OCR, and other functionalities, providing cost-efficiency and compatibility with all .NET versions.

The C# Barcode Library

Explore IronBarcode Start Free Trial

Barcode Quickstart

See All Code Examples

using IronBarCode;
using System.Drawing;

// Reading a barcode is easy with IronBarcode!
var resultFromFile = BarcodeReader.Read(@"file/barcode.png"); // From a file
var resultFromBitMap = BarcodeReader.Read(new Bitmap("barcode.bmp")); // From a bitmap
var resultFromImage = BarcodeReader.Read(Image.FromFile("barcode.jpg")); // From an image file
var resultFromPdf = BarcodeReader.ReadPdf(@"file/mydocument.pdf"); // From PDF use ReadPdf

// To configure and fine-tune barcode reading, utilize the BarcodeReaderOptions class
var myOptionsExample = new BarcodeReaderOptions
{
    // Choose a reading speed from: Faster, Balanced, Detailed, ExtremeDetail
    // There is a tradeoff in performance as more detail is set
    Speed = ReadingSpeed.Balanced,

    // Reader will stop scanning once a single barcode is found (if set to true)
    ExpectMultipleBarcodes = true,

    // By default, all barcode formats are scanned for
    // Specifying a subset of barcode types to search for would improve performance
    ExpectBarcodeTypes = BarcodeEncoding.AllOneDimensional,

    // Utilize multiple threads to read barcodes from multiple images in parallel
    Multithreaded = true,

    // Maximum threads for parallelized barcode reading
    // Default is 4
    MaxParallelThreads = 2,

    // The area of each image frame in which to scan for barcodes
    // Specifying a crop area will significantly improve performance and avoid noisy parts of the image
    CropArea = new Rectangle(),

    // Special setting for Code39 barcodes
    // If a Code39 barcode is detected, try to read with both the base and extended ASCII character sets
    UseCode39ExtendedMode = true
};

// Read with the options applied
var results = BarcodeReader.Read("barcode.png", myOptionsExample);

// Create a barcode with one line of code
var myBarcode = BarcodeWriter.CreateBarcode("12345", BarcodeWriterEncoding.EAN8);

// After creating a barcode, we may choose to resize
myBarcode.ResizeTo(400, 100);

// Save our newly-created barcode as an image
myBarcode.SaveAsImage("EAN8.jpeg");

// Get the barcode as an image for further processing
var myBarcodeImage = myBarcode.Image;

using IronBarCode;
using System.Drawing;

// Reading a barcode is easy with IronBarcode!
var resultFromFile = BarcodeReader.Read(@"file/barcode.png"); // From a file
var resultFromBitMap = BarcodeReader.Read(new Bitmap("barcode.bmp")); // From a bitmap
var resultFromImage = BarcodeReader.Read(Image.FromFile("barcode.jpg")); // From an image file
var resultFromPdf = BarcodeReader.ReadPdf(@"file/mydocument.pdf"); // From PDF use ReadPdf

// To configure and fine-tune barcode reading, utilize the BarcodeReaderOptions class
var myOptionsExample = new BarcodeReaderOptions
{
    // Choose a reading speed from: Faster, Balanced, Detailed, ExtremeDetail
    // There is a tradeoff in performance as more detail is set
    Speed = ReadingSpeed.Balanced,

    // Reader will stop scanning once a single barcode is found (if set to true)
    ExpectMultipleBarcodes = true,

    // By default, all barcode formats are scanned for
    // Specifying a subset of barcode types to search for would improve performance
    ExpectBarcodeTypes = BarcodeEncoding.AllOneDimensional,

    // Utilize multiple threads to read barcodes from multiple images in parallel
    Multithreaded = true,

    // Maximum threads for parallelized barcode reading
    // Default is 4
    MaxParallelThreads = 2,

    // The area of each image frame in which to scan for barcodes
    // Specifying a crop area will significantly improve performance and avoid noisy parts of the image
    CropArea = new Rectangle(),

    // Special setting for Code39 barcodes
    // If a Code39 barcode is detected, try to read with both the base and extended ASCII character sets
    UseCode39ExtendedMode = true
};

// Read with the options applied
var results = BarcodeReader.Read("barcode.png", myOptionsExample);

// Create a barcode with one line of code
var myBarcode = BarcodeWriter.CreateBarcode("12345", BarcodeWriterEncoding.EAN8);

// After creating a barcode, we may choose to resize
myBarcode.ResizeTo(400, 100);

// Save our newly-created barcode as an image
myBarcode.SaveAsImage("EAN8.jpeg");

// Get the barcode as an image for further processing
var myBarcodeImage = myBarcode.Image;

PM >Install-Package BarCode

Install-Package BarCode

USING IRONBARCODE

How to Print Barcode in ASP.NET in C#

Curtis Chau

Updated: July 20, 2026

This article will demonstrate how to print barcode images in ASP.NET Web Applications using C#. The MVC Framework will be used for this example, but you can also use ASP.NET Web Forms, Windows Forms, or Web API as per your needs.

A basic knowledge of the ASP.NET MVC Framework will give you a better understanding of this article.

How to Print Barcode Files in C#

Install C# library to print barcode file
Configure Model and Controller
Utilize CreateBarcode method to create barcode in C#
Configure View to display the generated barcode
Print the web page containing the barcode image using a printer or print-to-PDF software

Create an MVC Project

Open Microsoft Visual Studio. Click on Create New Project > Select ASP.NET Web Application from templates > Press Next > Name your Project > Press Next > Select MVC > Click the Create Button. The project will be created as shown below.

How to Print Barcode in ASP.NET in C#, Figure 1: Create a new ASP.NET project Create a new ASP.NET project

Add Model

Right-click on the Models folder > Add > Class....

How to Print Barcode in ASP.NET in C#, Figure 2: Navigate to add Class Dialog Navigate to add Class Dialog

A new window will appear. Name your class as BarcodeModel.

Write the following code in the model class.

using System.ComponentModel.DataAnnotations;

public class BarcodeModel
{
    [Display(Name ="Barcode File Name")]
    public string FileName { get; set; }

    [Display(Name = "Barcode Content")]
    public string BarcodeContent { get; set; }
}

using System.ComponentModel.DataAnnotations;

public class BarcodeModel
{
    [Display(Name ="Barcode File Name")]
    public string FileName { get; set; }

    [Display(Name = "Barcode Content")]
    public string BarcodeContent { get; set; }
}

Imports System.ComponentModel.DataAnnotations

Public Class BarcodeModel
	<Display(Name :="Barcode File Name")>
	Public Property FileName() As String

	<Display(Name := "Barcode Content")>
	Public Property BarcodeContent() As String
End Class

Imports System.ComponentModel.DataAnnotations

Public Class BarcodeModel
	<Display(Name :="Barcode File Name")>
	Public Property FileName() As String

	<Display(Name := "Barcode Content")>
	Public Property BarcodeContent() As String
End Class

The FileName will be used to get the barcode image name from the user. The BarcodeContent is used to take the content for the barcode.

Add Controller

Next, a Controller is added to the project. It will communicate with a View and Model using the MVC model. The code for generating barcodes consists of just two or three lines. Therefore, there is no need for a separate class; instead, the code is added inside the Controller.

To add the Controller, right-click on the Controllers folder > Add > Controller. A new window will appear. Select MVC 5 Controller Empty. Click the Add button. A new box will appear.

How to Print Barcode in ASP.NET in C#, Figure 3: Add Controller Dialog Add Controller Dialog

Write your Controller name, for example, BarcodeController. Click the Add button. A new Controller will be generated.

The next step is to install the barcode library.

Install the Barcode Library

The IronBarcode library is recommended as a third-party library for generating barcodes. It is free for development and provides multiple features to customize barcodes, such as adding a logo to a barcode image, adding value below or above the barcode, adding annotations below or above the barcode, resizing the barcode, saving the barcode in multiple image formats, etc. For more details, please click here.

Go to the Package Manager Console. Type the following command and press Enter.

PM > Install-Package BarCode

Install-Package BarCode

This command will install the IronBarcode library in the project.

Generate the Barcode

Next, add the following sample code to the controller.

using System.IO;
using System.Linq;
using System.Web.Mvc;
using IronBarCode;

public class BarcodeController : Controller
{
    [HttpPost]
    public ActionResult CreateBarcode(BarcodeModel model)
    {
        try
        {
            // Create a barcode with the specified content and encoding
            var MyBarCode = BarcodeWriter.CreateBarcode(model.BarcodeContent, BarcodeEncoding.Code128);

            // Define the path where the barcode image will be saved
            string path = Server.MapPath("~/Files/");
            string filepath = Path.Combine(path, model.FileName);

            // Add the barcode value text above the barcode
            MyBarCode.AddBarcodeValueTextAboveBarcode();

            // Save the generated barcode as a JPEG file
            MyBarCode.SaveAsJpeg(filepath);

            // Retrieve the first file from the directory as a sample image
            string image = Directory.GetFiles(path).FirstOrDefault();

            // Pass the image path to the view
            ViewBag.FileName = image;
            return View();
        }
        catch
        {
            // Handle any exceptions that occur
            return View();
        }
    }
}

using System.IO;
using System.Linq;
using System.Web.Mvc;
using IronBarCode;

public class BarcodeController : Controller
{
    [HttpPost]
    public ActionResult CreateBarcode(BarcodeModel model)
    {
        try
        {
            // Create a barcode with the specified content and encoding
            var MyBarCode = BarcodeWriter.CreateBarcode(model.BarcodeContent, BarcodeEncoding.Code128);

            // Define the path where the barcode image will be saved
            string path = Server.MapPath("~/Files/");
            string filepath = Path.Combine(path, model.FileName);

            // Add the barcode value text above the barcode
            MyBarCode.AddBarcodeValueTextAboveBarcode();

            // Save the generated barcode as a JPEG file
            MyBarCode.SaveAsJpeg(filepath);

            // Retrieve the first file from the directory as a sample image
            string image = Directory.GetFiles(path).FirstOrDefault();

            // Pass the image path to the view
            ViewBag.FileName = image;
            return View();
        }
        catch
        {
            // Handle any exceptions that occur
            return View();
        }
    }
}

Imports System.IO
Imports System.Linq
Imports System.Web.Mvc
Imports IronBarCode

Public Class BarcodeController
	Inherits Controller

	<HttpPost>
	Public Function CreateBarcode(ByVal model As BarcodeModel) As ActionResult
		Try
			' Create a barcode with the specified content and encoding
			Dim MyBarCode = BarcodeWriter.CreateBarcode(model.BarcodeContent, BarcodeEncoding.Code128)

			' Define the path where the barcode image will be saved
			Dim path As String = Server.MapPath("~/Files/")
			Dim filepath As String = System.IO.Path.Combine(path, model.FileName)

			' Add the barcode value text above the barcode
			MyBarCode.AddBarcodeValueTextAboveBarcode()

			' Save the generated barcode as a JPEG file
			MyBarCode.SaveAsJpeg(filepath)

			' Retrieve the first file from the directory as a sample image
			Dim image As String = Directory.GetFiles(path).FirstOrDefault()

			' Pass the image path to the view
			ViewBag.FileName = image
			Return View()
		Catch
			' Handle any exceptions that occur
			Return View()
		End Try
	End Function
End Class

Imports System.IO
Imports System.Linq
Imports System.Web.Mvc
Imports IronBarCode

Public Class BarcodeController
	Inherits Controller

	<HttpPost>
	Public Function CreateBarcode(ByVal model As BarcodeModel) As ActionResult
		Try
			' Create a barcode with the specified content and encoding
			Dim MyBarCode = BarcodeWriter.CreateBarcode(model.BarcodeContent, BarcodeEncoding.Code128)

			' Define the path where the barcode image will be saved
			Dim path As String = Server.MapPath("~/Files/")
			Dim filepath As String = System.IO.Path.Combine(path, model.FileName)

			' Add the barcode value text above the barcode
			MyBarCode.AddBarcodeValueTextAboveBarcode()

			' Save the generated barcode as a JPEG file
			MyBarCode.SaveAsJpeg(filepath)

			' Retrieve the first file from the directory as a sample image
			Dim image As String = Directory.GetFiles(path).FirstOrDefault()

			' Pass the image path to the view
			ViewBag.FileName = image
			Return View()
		Catch
			' Handle any exceptions that occur
			Return View()
		End Try
	End Function
End Class

try-catch is used to catch any runtime exception.
The CreateBarcode function provided by the BarcodeWriter class takes two arguments: the barcode content, and the encoding scheme. Furthermore, it also accepts 11 other optional arguments that include maximum height, maximum width, and so on.
The Server.MapPath function is used to map the path where the generated barcode images will be saved. The Path.Combine method will combine the path and barcode image name.
The AddBarcodeValueTextAboveBarcode function will add the barcode value. IronBarcode provides other barcode settings such as max-height, max-width, barcode, color, and so on. You can explore and make use of the various parameters.
The SaveAsJpeg function takes the path as an argument and saves the generated barcodes in that particular path.
The Directory.GetFiles method will get the newly generated barcode image.
ViewBag.FileName is used to send the barcode image's path to the view for displaying the generated barcode image.

QR codes can also be generated in the same way by changing the encoding scheme from Code128 to QRCode.

Add View

The next step is to provide the client-side for this ASP.NET Web Application by adding a new View. Right-click on the name of the Controller method and click the "Add View" button.

How to Print Barcode in ASP.NET in C#, Figure 4: Navigate to add View Dialog Navigate to add View Dialog

A new window will appear. Select MVC 5 View, and click the Add button.

A new prompt will appear as shown below.

How to Print Barcode in ASP.NET in C#, Figure 5: Add View Dialog Add View Dialog

Name your View and click the Add button. A new .cshtml file will be created.

Add the following code inside your newly generated view.

@model GenerateBarcodeMVC.Models.BarcodeModel

@{
    ViewBag.DisplayBarcode = false;
}

<h2>Create</h2>

@using (Html.BeginForm())
{
    @Html.AntiForgeryToken()

    <div class="form-horizontal">
        <h4>GenerateBarcode</h4>
        <hr />
        @Html.ValidationSummary(true, "", new { @class = "text-danger" })
        <div class="form-group">
            @Html.LabelFor(model => model.FileName, htmlAttributes: new { @class = "control-label col-md-2" })
            <div class="col-md-10">
                @Html.EditorFor(model => model.FileName, new { htmlAttributes = new { @class = "form-control" } })
                @Html.ValidationMessageFor(model => model.FileName, "", new { @class = "text-danger" })
            </div>
        </div>

        <div class="form-group">
            @Html.LabelFor(model => model.BarcodeContent, htmlAttributes: new { @class = "control-label col-md-2" })
            <div class="col-md-10">
                @Html.EditorFor(model => model.BarcodeContent, new { htmlAttributes = new { @class = "form-control" } })
                @Html.ValidationMessageFor(model => model.BarcodeContent, "", new { @class = "text-danger" })
            </div>
        </div>
        
        <div class="form-group">
            <div class="col-md-offset-2 col-md-10">
                <img src="~/Files/@Path.GetFileName(ViewBag.FileName)" alt="Barcode" />
            </div>
        </div>
        
        <div class="form-group">
            <div class="col-md-offset-2 col-md-10">
                <input type="submit" value="Create" class="btn btn-default" />
            </div>
        </div>
    </div>
}

@section Scripts {
    @Scripts.Render("~/bundles/jqueryval")
}

@model GenerateBarcodeMVC.Models.BarcodeModel

@{
    ViewBag.DisplayBarcode = false;
}

<h2>Create</h2>

@using (Html.BeginForm())
{
    @Html.AntiForgeryToken()

    <div class="form-horizontal">
        <h4>GenerateBarcode</h4>
        <hr />
        @Html.ValidationSummary(true, "", new { @class = "text-danger" })
        <div class="form-group">
            @Html.LabelFor(model => model.FileName, htmlAttributes: new { @class = "control-label col-md-2" })
            <div class="col-md-10">
                @Html.EditorFor(model => model.FileName, new { htmlAttributes = new { @class = "form-control" } })
                @Html.ValidationMessageFor(model => model.FileName, "", new { @class = "text-danger" })
            </div>
        </div>

        <div class="form-group">
            @Html.LabelFor(model => model.BarcodeContent, htmlAttributes: new { @class = "control-label col-md-2" })
            <div class="col-md-10">
                @Html.EditorFor(model => model.BarcodeContent, new { htmlAttributes = new { @class = "form-control" } })
                @Html.ValidationMessageFor(model => model.BarcodeContent, "", new { @class = "text-danger" })
            </div>
        </div>
        
        <div class="form-group">
            <div class="col-md-offset-2 col-md-10">
                <img src="~/Files/@Path.GetFileName(ViewBag.FileName)" alt="Barcode" />
            </div>
        </div>
        
        <div class="form-group">
            <div class="col-md-offset-2 col-md-10">
                <input type="submit" value="Create" class="btn btn-default" />
            </div>
        </div>
    </div>
}

@section Scripts {
    @Scripts.Render("~/bundles/jqueryval")
}

HTML

Next, right-click inside the View, and click the Run to Browser Button.

Output

How to Print Barcode in ASP.NET in C#, Figure 6: Run Web Application to display Create form Run Web Application to display Create form

Input your barcode image name, and barcode content as shown below:

How to Print Barcode in ASP.NET in C#, Figure 7: Input your barcode content Input your barcode content

Click the Create button. The barcode image will be generated and displayed on the screen as shown below.

How to Print Barcode in ASP.NET in C#, Figure 8: Generate a barcode from a URL Generate a barcode from a URL

Summary

This tutorial demonstrated how to generate barcodes using ASP.NET in C#, combined with the MVC Framework. Microsoft Visual Studio is used as the IDE. IronPDF is a third-party library that is free for development and compatible with all versions of the .NET Framework, including the newly released version. IronBarcode is fast and provides multiple features for working with barcodes. It can also generate QR codes by specifying different types.

There are other many useful libraries such as IronPDF for working with PDF documents, IronXL for working with Excel documents, and IronOCR for working with OCR. Currently, you can get all five libraries for the price of just two by purchasing the complete Iron Suite. Visit our licensing page for more details.

Curtis Chau

Chat with engineering team now

Technical Writer

Curtis Chau holds a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science (Carleton University) and specializes in front-end development with expertise in Node.js, TypeScript, JavaScript, and React. Passionate about crafting intuitive and aesthetically pleasing user interfaces, Curtis enjoys working with modern frameworks and creating well-structured, visually appealing manuals.

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