Introduction

Barcodes are everywhere in our lives—they’re on almost every product, box, pallet, shipping container, and more. Despite the fact that we probably see a barcode every day, we get a lot of questions from small business owners and startups who have never before considered that they might need a barcode for their product. This article is written as a complete guide to barcoding, aiming to educate and dispel common myths surrounding barcodes.

Firstly, what is a barcode?

A barcode is basically a visual representation of a set of numbers, or ASCII characters depending on the type of code you’re looking at. Below are some common types of barcode:

History

The 1D UPC-A barcode was developed by George Laurer in 1971-72 while working at IBM. It was designed to streamline point-of-sale transactions in grocery stores. In 1973, the Uniform Grocery Product Code Council adopted Laurer’s proposal, and the UPC code was implemented. Since then, many variations of the 1D barcode have emerged, allowing for more detailed information to be encoded. Despite these updates, the core structure and function of the barcode have remained largely unchanged.

What does a barcode do?

A barcode visually represents a set of numbers, with each legitimate retail EAN, UPC, or GTIN (Global Trade Identification Number) uniquely identifying a product in the global marketplace. It is essential that every product and its variants have their own unique barcode. The vertical lines in a barcode are a visual representation of the numbers beneath them. Each line’s varying width and the spaces between them correspond to a specific number. When a scanner emits infrared light onto the barcode, it ‘reads’ the reflected light, decodes the numbers, and uses the last digit, called the check digit, to verify the accuracy of the read in a fraction of a second. If the barcode is linked to product information in the scanner’s database, that information is retrieved. To ensure the correct data is recalled, product information must be manually associated with the GTIN in the POS or warehouse scanner software database.

Barcodes such as the ITF-14, SSCC, and Code-128 are considered logistics barcodes and are used on outer cartons, pallets and shipping containers to track products through the supply chain.

The first order of logistics barcode is the ITF-14 or “outer carton code” usually placed on a logistics unit that contains multiple units of one or more products for shipping. An ITF-14 is never scanned at checkout or used to sell products to a customer. It is used solely in the tracking of products in the distribution chain. As the name suggests, the ITF-14 comprises of 14 digits, and is a superset of the EAN-13. The EAN-13 of the product is used to generate the ITF-14 on the shipping unit, the extra digit in the sequence represents the packaging level. For example, if you have a box of 20 units of your product, that box will have the packaging level indicator “1”. If that box is shipped in pallets of 20 boxes, that pallet will have the packaging level indicator of “2”. In this way, a scanner can scan the barcode on a pallet and recall “product A, 20×20 units”.

SSCC (Serial Shipping Container Code) are a set of ASCII characters, usually encoded into a 14 or 18 digit ‘code-128’ barcode and are used for a number of advanced barcoding needs. For example, when a mixed lot of items from different sources and with different destinations are shipped together for convenience, that exact shipping container must be uniquely traceable. The DoP also use SSCC-14 & SSCC-18 barcodes for tracking parcels for delivery. 

QR Codes vs. Barcodes

QR codes are two-dimensional and belong to a different category from barcodes. While barcodes are one-dimensional, QR codes store information in both horizontal and vertical directions. For more details on QR codes, you can find further information

Retail Barcodes: GS1, Resellers, and What It All Means

To sell your product in today’s retail market, most retail outlets, as well as online platforms like Amazon, require your product to have either an EAN-13 or UPC-A barcode. This globally unique number represents your product and enables its movement to be tracked through warehouses and scanned at point-of-sale (POS). This system has been in place since the mid-1970s and, despite recent advances in RFID technology, remains the dominant method for stock management and POS globally.

If you’re serious about getting your product into the market, obtaining the appropriate barcodes should be one of your top priorities. However, there is a lot of misinformation, and many businesses are competing for attention online. This article aims to clarify the options for obtaining barcodes for your product, including the pros and cons of each.

There are two main options for purchasing a barcode for your product:

Option 1: Licensing from GS1.

GS1 is the global organisation responsible for issuing barcodes. Licensing barcodes directly from GS1 is costly, involves an annual fee, and includes a lengthy sign-up process. Once registered, you will receive a company prefix, which allows you to generate barcode numbers from that prefix. You are also responsible for creating your own barcode images, which can be done using barcode generating software or outsourced to another company. If you need barcode images created from your GS1 company prefix, we offer this service at a fraction of the cost compared to our competitors.

Advantages of Licensing from GS1:

Cosmetic Advantage: GS1 India is the only entity that can issue barcodes with the prefix 890, which is specific to GS1 India. While 890 does not indicate where a product is made or where it can be sold, it may carry cosmetic value. However, all EAN-13 and UPC-A barcodes are globally valid.

Universal Store Acceptance: Barcodes purchased from GS1 are guaranteed to be accepted by retailers, including major chains like Reliance, Big Bazaar, and SPAR, which have agreements to only accept barcodes licensed directly from GS1.

Amazon Brand Registry: If you plan to register your brand on Amazon, the primary method of brand ownership verification is through GS1’s GEPIR database. Licensing your barcodes from GS1 is recommended to qualify for Amazon’s Brand Registry platform.

Option 2: Purchasing Barcodes outright from a Barcode Re-Seller

To understand the option of purchasing barcodes from a reseller, some history is needed. In 2002, GS1, the organization that licenses EAN-13 barcodes annually, absorbed the UCC, which sold UPC barcodes exclusively in packages of 100,000 for a one-time fee. GS1 chose to continue with its licensing model rather than honor the ownership of UCC barcodes, leading to a class action lawsuit. The result was that companies who purchased prefixes from UCC before August 2002 were considered the permanent owners of those barcodes, exempt from the GS1 licensing agreements.

Due to the nature of the UCC agreement, some companies who only needed a single barcode found themselves with thousands of unused barcodes. These unused barcodes are what barcode resellers sell today. They are part of the UCC-era agreement, meaning the ownership of these codes is permanent and legally transferable. This allows barcode resellers to offer barcodes at a much lower cost than GS1.

Resellers typically offer barcodes with prefixes in the 060 – 089 range, which were issued during the UCC era. Since UCC only issued UPC barcodes, the ‘0’ was added to convert them into EAN-13 barcodes. This is purely a cosmetic difference and does not affect the barcode’s validity or where the product can be sold. All genuine barcodes are accepted globally.

Advantages of Purchasing from a Barcode Re-Seller:

Lower Initial Cost: Barcodes purchased from resellers are significantly less expensive than those licensed from GS1. Resellers offer a more affordable option for businesses, especially those with fewer products or limited budgets.

One-Time Payment: Unlike GS1, which requires an ongoing annual fee, barcodes from resellers are a one-time purchase, eliminating the need for recurring costs.

Ownership: Barcodes purchased from reputable resellers come with permanent ownership rights, ensuring that the barcodes are yours to use indefinitely, with no ongoing obligations to any licensing body.

Global Validity: All barcodes, whether purchased through GS1 or resellers, are valid worldwide. The prefix difference (060 – 089 range) is purely cosmetic and does not impact the barcode’s ability to be scanned or accepted by retailers globally.

How many barcodes do you need?

Each GTIN or Barcode number represents one unique product in the world. This includes product variations like size, weight, colour, volume, style etc. For example, if you have two products: product A and product B and product A is sold in 3 different weights, while product B is just one weight then you would require a total of 4 barcodes to cover that inventory. The below example illustrates how two colours of polo shirts (BLUE and RED) at 5 sizes each require a total of 10 unique barcodes.

Obtaining your barcodes.

In section 2 above I covered the two main options for purchasing barcodes. In this section I will detail the methods used to obtain a barcode from either GS1, or a reputable barcode reseller in this case India Barcodes.

Obtaining a barcode from GS1:

GS1 licenses barcodes to customers on an annual basis, with ongoing payments required to continue holding the license for the use of those codes. It’s important to weigh the costs and benefits before deciding if GS1 is the right choice for your business. If you decide to go with GS1, you can follow these steps to obtain your barcodes:

1. Visit GS1 India: Navigate to the GS1 India website and click the ‘Register for Barcodes’ button from the ‘Get a Barcode’ dropdown menu.
2. Required Documents: You will need the following information to proceed with your application:
   • A PAN card for you or your business
   • A copy of an audited balance sheet
   • A letter on company letterhead requesting barcode allotment
   • Proof of status of the applicant company (e.g., GST/VAT statement, ROC, ROS, or MOA)
3. Online Application: After clicking the ‘Online Application’ button, fill in your business email and PAN number.
4. Complete Application:
   • Business Details: You’ll need to provide all the necessary business details, including your address, contact information, and the required documents.
   • Personal Contact Details: Fill in your personal contact information.
   • Barcode Quantity: Choose the number of barcodes you require. GS1 offers company prefixes between 6 and 12 digits:
     • A 6-digit prefix can generate up to 100,000 unique GTINs.
     • A 12-digit prefix is for just one barcode. Be sure to select enough barcodes to cover your current product lines and any future products you plan to launch.
5. Payment Details: After entering the required information, you will need to pay the initial sign-up fee, along with annual fees for the number of years you intend to license the codes.
6. Confirmation: After submission, you’ll see a confirmation window. Review your details, make any necessary edits, and submit the application form.
7. Confirmation Email: GS1 advises that within one business day, you will receive a welcome email along with your company prefix. You will then need to log into GS1’s ‘datakart’ service to generate your barcodes from the issued company prefix.

Purchasing your barcodes outright from a barcode re-seller:

For many businesses, GS1 issued barcodes may not be necessary. In these cases, purchasing from a barcode re-seller is a more cost-effective and streamlined option. However, it’s important to research your business’s unique barcode requirements before making a purchase.

As mentioned earlier, barcode re-sellers offer genuine EAN-13 and UPC-A barcodes at a one-time cost, which is significantly less expensive and requires less documentation than GS1 licensing. The process is quicker as well; re-sellers can provide both the barcode numbers and high-quality images within minutes of your purchase. Below is a step-by-step guide for purchasing from India Barcodes.

Step 1: Navigate to the Purchase Page
Go to India Barcodes Buy Barcode Numbers.

Step 2: Select the Number of Barcodes
Choose the quantity of barcodes required by clicking the ‘Add to Cart’ button. If you need a unique number of barcodes that is not listed (e.g., 37 barcodes), you can contact India Barcodes directly to arrange a special order.
Tip: Consider your future product lines when purchasing barcodes. Buying in bulk may reduce the cost per barcode, and you can keep any unused barcodes in reserve for future use.

Step 3: Proceed to Checkout
Click ‘Checkout’ to proceed to the purchase page. You will be prompted to fill in your details:

• Name (or Company Name)
• Email Address (Ensure this is correct, as the barcode package will be sent to this address).

You will then enter your payment information. India Barcodes accepts payments via all major credit and debit cards through a 256-bit encrypted payment gateway. Below this, you’ll need to input your billing address.

Step 4: Agree to Terms and Conditions
Carefully read the terms and conditions, and select ‘Purchase’ to finalize the transaction.

Step 5: Wait for Your Package
Within 5 minutes, you will receive your barcode package at the email address provided. Be sure to check your spam or junk folder, as automated emails can sometimes be routed there, especially with Gmail accounts.

Barcode Assignment and Online Registration

So you’ve received your barcode numbers & images. The next step is to assign your barcode numbers to your products. If you licensed your barcodes from GS1 you can use their ‘datakart’ feature to associate your product information with your barcode numbers. If you have purchased your codes from a reseller you can use any free online barcode database like GTINlookup to associate your barcode numbers with your products.

Wherever you have sourced your codes from you are responsible for keeping track of your assignments and we recommend that you keep a spreadsheet that details your barcode numbers and product assignments – even if you have submitted the barcode details in an online database such as datakart or gtinlookup.

To register your products on GTINlookup please follow the instructions below.

Step 1: Navigate to https://gtinlookup.org

Step 2: Click on ‘Submit a GTIN’

Step 3: Fill out the form with the relevant details and make sure everything is correct before submitting. Listings cannot be updated once submitted however if you have made an error, you can request that the webmaster correct it by submitting a request to submissions@gtinlookup.org.

Please note to correctly submit an image, find the image online ie on your website and right click the image then select ‘open image in new tab’. You should see a black background with the image on the page. Copy this URL and paste it into the image url field on GTINlookup.

Barcode Size & Colour Guidelines

The next step in the process for successfully barcoding your products is to conform to international barcode size requirements and also select appropriate colours for your barcode so that it will scan correctly. Barcode images are usually supplied at SC2 or 100% magnification: 25.93mm x 37.29mm. You are able to reduce the image size down to SC0 or 80% magnification: 21.25mm x 30.51mm or increase the size up to 200% magnification: 51.86mm x 74.58mm without affecting scannability. It is important when altering the barcode image size that you alter the height and width proportionally. Also take care to never cut out the white space around the barcode. This white space is known as the ‘quiet zone’ and is a necessary part of the image as it tells the scanner where the barcode ‘starts’ and ‘ends’.

The best colour combination for a barcode is the standard black over white which we see almost exclusively in the retail marketplace. Colourisation of a barcode is possible but because a barcode scanner uses the reflection of infrared light to decode the bars there are some colour combinations that cannot be used. Generally speaking if you have dark bars over a light background the code should scan fine with the exception of colouring the bars red or yellow as a scanner will read these colours as ‘white’. See examples of scannable and non-scannable colours below.

Scannable Colour Combinations

Non-Scannable Colour Combinations

Some retailers will require you to obtain a verification report for your barcode artwork. A verification report basically tests a printed barcode by scanning it from a range of distances and angles and rates the scannability of the barcode with an ISO (International Standards Orginisation) score of 1 to 4 with 4 being the highest possible score. If you require a verification report for your products then you must conform with the size & colour guidelines detailed above.

Printing Your Barcode

Once you have adjusted your barcode image digitally you now have a number of printing options to consider. The most efficient way to affix your barcode to your product is to include the digital image on your artwork proofs before sending the packaging to be printed. This method gives you full control over the placement of the barcode on your packaging as well as size & colour options that will help the branding and overall look of your product. To do this you will need to take one of the images we have supplied (EPS, JPEG or TIFF) and include it in your artwork proof design. If you or your graphic designer use the EPS layered file then the OCRB human readable font included with your barcode package will need to be installed on the computer used to open the EPS file.

There may be a number of reasons why you cannot include the barcode image on your product packaging. If your packaging has already been printed or if your product comes in a clear plastic wrap then you will need to affix your barcode in another way. The second most popular method is to print stickers of your barcode. There are two ways to do this:

1. Contract a professional printing company to print off rolls of sticky labels. This method would be most useful for businesses with a small product range and large quantities of units sold as most rolls of barcode stickers would come with a minimum of 1500-1000 stickers.

2. Use a barcode label printer like a Brother TD-4000, DYMO LABELWRITER 4XL MACHINE LW4XL or Zebra GC420D to print sticky labels on a need basis. This option would be most suitable for businesses who have a large product range and low turnover of units sold as you are able to print off stickers as needed.

Introducing Your Product to Retailers

Barcodes themselves do not hold information, they are simply a visual representation of a globally unique number that represents a product. Once you incorporate your barcode into your product’s artwork, labels the barcode number has already begun doing it’s job of representing your product in the supply chain.

When you supply your product to a retailer, you may be required to complete a product information form linking your product and company details to the barcode number. The retailer will transfer this information into their sales & inventory system allowing your product to be scanned at POS. This process is required every time you introduce your product to a new retailer.

Some companies falsely advertise that their databases allow your product information to be globally available in retail stores but the simple fact is that almost every retailer has their own internal database of products linked to their POS system. Nine times out of ten you will be required to complete this process of supplying your product information to your retailers no matter where you purchase your barcodes from.

Introducing Your Product to Online Retail Spaces

Many people use online retail outlets like Amazon, FlipKart & eBay to sell products. There are numerous articles online about how to register your products on these platforms so we will not cover it in this one! If you have any questions about online retail barcoding please feel free to get in touch.

Complete!!

Your products and barcodes are now ready for the retail space! We wish you the best of luck and hope that this article was helpful. If your company needs barcodes or advice on barcoding please feel free to get in touch and we will be happy to help in any way we can. 

GS1 licenses barcodes to customers on an annual basis, with ongoing payments required to continue holding the license for the use of those codes. It’s important to weigh the costs and benefits before deciding if GS1 is the right choice for your business. If you decide to go with GS1, you can follow these steps to obtain your barcodes:

For many businesses, GS1 issued barcodes may not be necessary. In these cases, purchasing from a barcode re-seller is a more cost-effective and streamlined option. However, it’s important to research your business’s unique barcode requirements before making a purchase.

As mentioned earlier, barcode re-sellers offer genuine EAN-13 and UPC-A barcodes at a one-time cost, which is significantly less expensive and requires less documentation than GS1 licensing. The process is quicker as well; re-sellers can provide both the barcode numbers and high-quality images within minutes of your purchase. Below is a step-by-step guide for purchasing from India Barcodes.

Steps to Purchase Barcodes from India Barcodes: