pdf417gen
PDF417 2D barcode generator for Python
Decision gist · record as of 2026-08-14
Yes. The package is lightweight, well-licensed, and solves a specific problem with low friction. It has no known vulnerabilities, a single stable dependency, and active maintenance. Install it if you need to generate PDF417 barcodes; the API is simple and the output formats cover most use cases.AI-flagged interpretation of the facts on this page — verify before relying
Before you install
- Requires Python 3.8 or later; Pillow must be installed for image rendering.
- Low install friction with a single runtime dependency.
- The package is aging but actively maintained, with a recent commit in May 2025.
License · maintenance · safety
permissive license (permissive) — Licensed under MIT (permissive), allowing free use, modification, and distribution with minimal restrictions.
last release 2025-01-23 (568 days) · last repo commit 2025-05-04 · 101 stars
0 known vulnerabilities (OSV.dev, 2026-08-14) · 108,865 downloads/mo, #12,535 on PyPI
Alternatives
Verify before relying
pip install pdf417gen
from pdf417gen import encode, render_image
codes = encode("Hello World")
image = render_image(codes)
image.save('barcode.png')- Whether the CLI tool (pdf417gen encode) is documented or tested for production use.
- Performance characteristics when encoding very large data sets or generating many barcodes.
- Compatibility with modern versions of Pillow and any known rendering quirks.
What it is and what it does
pdf417gen is a Python library for generating PDF417 2D barcodes—a stacked linear barcode format commonly used in identification documents, shipping labels, and data capture applications. It takes text or binary input, encodes it into a list of code words using the PDF417 algorithm, and renders the result as either a Pillow Image object or an SVG document. The encoding process supports customization via column count (1–30, default 6) and security level (0–8, controlling error correction strength), and the rendering functions offer control over scale, aspect ratio, padding, and colors.
The package is straightforward to use: call encode() with your data, then pass the result to either render_image() or render_svg(). It handles Unicode input (UTF-8 by default) and offers a command-line interface for quick barcode generation. The single runtime dependency is Pillow, making installation and deployment lightweight. The codebase is stable and aging, with recent maintenance activity.
Use it for
- Generate barcodes for shipping labels, inventory tracking, or document identification in e-commerce or logistics workflows.
- Encode structured data (IDs, URLs, contact info) into 2D barcodes for mobile scanning or archival systems.
- Create custom barcode images with branded colors and sizing for printed materials or labels.
- Build a CLI tool or batch process to convert text files or CSV records into barcode images.
- Embed barcode generation in a web application to produce downloadable or on-demand barcode images.
Worth the install?
AI-flagged interpretation of the facts on this page. Verify before relying on it.
Yes.
The package is lightweight, well-licensed, and solves a specific problem with low friction. It has no known vulnerabilities, a single stable dependency, and active maintenance. Install it if you need to generate PDF417 barcodes; the API is simple and the output formats cover most use cases.
Install
pdf417gen on PyPI
Before you install
Low install friction with a single runtime dependency. The package is aging but actively maintained, with a recent commit in May 2025.
Requires Python 3.8 or later; Pillow must be installed for image rendering.
License in practice
Licensed under MIT (permissive), allowing free use, modification, and distribution with minimal restrictions.
Quickstart
pip install pdf417gen
from pdf417gen import encode, render_image
codes = encode("Hello World")
image = render_image(codes)
image.save('barcode.png')Verify before relying
- Whether the CLI tool (pdf417gen encode) is documented or tested for production use.
- Performance characteristics when encoding very large data sets or generating many barcodes.
- Compatibility with modern versions of Pillow and any known rendering quirks.
Package facts
| License | permissive license permissive |
| Python support | Supports the current Python release >=3.8 |
| Install friction | Low. Pure-Python wheel |
| Runtime dependencies | 1 packagePillow |
| Maintenance | Aging 568 days since the last release |
| Last repo commit | |
| First released | |
| Downloads | 108,865 / month, #12,535 on PyPI 30-day window, as of 2026-08-14 |
| Known vulnerabilities | None known OSV.dev, checked 2026-08-14 |
| Classifiers | Environment :: ConsoleLicense :: OSI Approved :: MIT LicenseOperating System :: OS IndependentProgramming Language :: Python :: 3 |
Evidence: pdf417gen-0.8.1-py3-none-any.whl
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