Step-by-Step Guide: How to Get a Barcode for Your Product
Barcodes are essential for identifying products, tracking inventory, and ensuring smooth sales operations. Whether you're introducing a new item or running an expanding business, adding a barcode to your product makes it easier to sell in retail stores, online platforms, and manage inventory effectively. This blog provides a simple step-by-step guide on how to get a barcode for your product. It also explains different types of barcodes, their usage across industries, and the key tools required to create and manage them properly.
https://www.sundata.in/
What is Barcode? A barcode is a visual code that machines can read to access product-related information. It usually looks like a set of black and white lines or patterns with numbers underneath. These patterns store data that scanners can quickly read, helping track details such as price, stock, and product origin. Barcodes are commonly used in industries like retail, manufacturing, healthcare, logistics, and e-commerce. When scanned at checkout or during inventory updates, barcodes pull information from a database instantly, making processes faster and minimizing human errors. Since every barcode is unique to its product, businesses benefit from more accurate product listings, inventory tracking, and sales data.
How to Get a Barcode for Your Product-Simple Steps Adding a barcode to your product is important if you want to sell it in stores or online. It helps make your product easy to track, manage, and identify across different sales and supply channels. Step-by-Step Guide Here’s a simple guide to help you create and add a barcode to your product:
1. Get a GTIN (Global Trade Item Number) Start by assigning a GTIN to your product. This number is made using your GS1 company prefix and a unique number for each product item.
https://www.sundata.in/
2. Select the Right Barcode Format Pick a barcode format based on where and how you’ll sell your product. ● EAN-13 is used worldwide. ● UPC-A is common in the U.S. and Canada. ● Code 128 is used mostly for internal or logistics purposes.
3. Use Barcode Software or Online Tool Enter your GTIN into a barcode generator or software that supports your chosen format. This tool turns the number into a scannable barcode image.
4. Create and Download the Barcode Image The software will give you a downloadable barcode image (PNG, JPG, or SVG). Make sure it’s high quality and suitable for printing.
5. Scan and Test the Barcode Before printing, scan the barcode using a reader to confirm it links to the correct product data.
6. Print and Place on Packaging Print the barcode clearly and place it on the product packaging. Avoid placing it on curved or uneven surfaces, and ensure it’s not blurry or scratched for smooth scanning.
https://www.sundata.in/
Barcode Creation Tools and Software Many trusted tools and software can help you create barcodes quickly and correctly. For official barcodes accepted worldwide, GS1 India offers a generator once you register your business and get a unique company prefix. For smaller needs, online tools like TEC-IT’s Barcode Generator allow you to create different barcode types such as EAN-13, UPC, and Code 128 easily. These are great for startups or businesses needing just a few barcodes. If you use Microsoft Excel, you can install barcode add-ons to turn your product numbers into barcode images, making it easier to manage large item lists. For advanced use, software like Barcode Studio, NiceLabel, and ZebraDesigner provide features like batch creation, linking barcodes to databases, and label printing. Graphic designers can also use Adobe Illustrator or CorelDRAW plugins to create barcodes that fit well with product packaging. Always choose a tool that supports the barcode type you need and delivers high-quality images to ensure smooth scanning and clear printing.
Key Things to Keep in Mind While Creating Barcodes Making a barcode isn't just about generating an image it takes planning to make sure it works well across stores and supply chains. One major point is choosing the right barcode format. For instance, EAN-13 and UPC are mainly used for retail, while Code 128 is better suited for logistics and internal tracking. Picking the correct format ensures your barcode is accepted by scanners in stores, warehouses, and shipping centers. Other important factors include the quality of the label, print clarity, and barcode placement. A barcode that’s blurry or lacks contrast can fail to scan properly,
https://www.sundata.in/
causing delays and errors. Make sure barcodes are printed sharply with enough white space (called quiet zones) around them to improve scanning. Also, avoid placing barcodes on curved, shiny, or uneven surfaces, as they can reflect light or distort the scan. Finally, always test your barcode before mass printing to confirm it scans correctly and pulls up the right product data.
Choosing the Right Barcode for Your Product The type of barcode you use depends on what your product is, where it will be sold, and how you plan to manage or track it. Each barcode serves a different purpose, so selecting the correct one helps everything run smoothly in stores, warehouses, and shipping systems.
EAN-13 This is the standard barcode for international retail, especially outside North America. It has 13 digits and is accepted by most global sellers and marketplaces.
UPC-A Mostly used in the U.S. and Canada, this barcode has 12 digits and is similar to EAN-13. Many North American retailers specifically require this format.
Code 128 A flexible barcode used mainly for internal purposes like shipping, warehouse tracking, or logistics. It can include both numbers and letters, making it useful for detailed information.
https://www.sundata.in/
QR Code While not usually used for pricing or inventory, QR codes are great for linking to websites, product pages, or verification info. They can store much more data than traditional barcodes.
ITF-14 Designed for bulk items or outer cartons. It’s not meant for retail checkout but is important in distribution centers and storage tracking.
How Different Industries Use Barcode Technology Barcodes help many industries save time, improve accuracy, and manage operations more smoothly. Each industry uses barcode systems in ways that match their specific work processes and needs.
Retail Barcodes are a must in retail for scanning prices and updating inventory instantly. Stores use EAN-13 and UPC codes to track sales, manage stock, and automate reordering.
Automotive Car manufacturers and suppliers use barcodes to track parts, manage spare components, and monitor each item through production and delivery. Code 128 and Data Matrix formats are common for labeling parts and tracking them during assembly.
https://www.sundata.in/
Healthcare Hospitals and clinics use barcodes to keep track of medicines, patient records, lab samples, and medical equipment. This lowers error risk and increases patient safety. Code 128 and Data Matrix barcodes are frequently used in this field.
Logistics and Supply Chain Shipping and delivery services rely on barcodes to track goods across warehouses and transport routes. Formats like Code 128, ITF-14, and GS1-128 are used for cartons, pallets, and bulk items.
Garment Industry Clothing manufacturers and stores use barcodes to manage inventory by size, color, and style. They help organize stock and reduce mistakes in shipping and packaging. Common barcode types here include EAN-13, UPC, and Code 128.
Pharmaceuticals The pharma industry uses barcodes to trace medicine batches, prevent fake products, and meet compliance rules. GS1 DataBar and 2D barcodes are often used for tracking and verification.
https://www.sundata.in/
FAQs
1. Is GS1 registration required to get a barcode? Yes, if you want your barcode to be globally accepted and approved by retailers, you need to register your business with GS1. They provide a unique company prefix to create official barcodes.
2. Can I make a barcode without registering with GS1? Yes, you can create barcodes using free online tools. However, most retailers and e-commerce platforms do not accept unofficial barcodes. For business use, GS1 barcodes are highly recommended.
3. Which barcode type should I use for retail sales? EAN-13 and UPC-A are the most widely used in retail. EAN-13 is suitable for global markets, while UPC-A is preferred in the U.S. and Canada.
4. Is it costly to print barcodes? No. Barcodes can be printed using regular printers and label sheets. For large batches, using a thermal barcode printer is more cost-effective and efficient.
5. How can I check if my barcode works? You can test your barcode using a scanner or a mobile barcode scanning app. It should read clearly and show the correct product details.
https://www.sundata.in/
Conclusion Adding a barcode to your product is a smart and necessary step when selling in stores or online. It makes tracking easier, helps with inventory, and meets seller requirements. By registering with GS1, choosing the right barcode format, and using trusted tools for design and printing, you can avoid errors and keep operations smooth. Whether you’re in retail, e-commerce, logistics, or healthcare, barcodes are key to running an organized and efficient business.
https://www.sundata.in/
