How to Make Product ID Barcode on the Label

Launching a new product in the market is not simple. It requires you to manage several factors beyond production. Labeling is one of them, and within the labeling domain, there are various things you need to take care of.

You need to facilitate your customers to purchase the product easily. This is possible if you include barcode labels. With barcodes on your labels, point-of-sales scanning gets easier for your customers and the store, increasing your opportunities to showcase your new product even in reputed superstores.

Steps to Make Product ID Barcode Labels

Getting your barcode and printing it on the label is straightforward. You must know what your product is and which category it belongs to—food, beverage, cannabis, health, supplements, etc. There are sub-categories as well that you should be aware of.

Step 1: Create Your Product Code

The product code is a unique combination of symbols and sequences associated with your product. It consists of two types:

UPC (Universal Product Codes)

Globally recognized codes
Consist of 8-12 digits (numeric only)
Include bars that are readable at Point of Sales
Required for most retail environments

SKU (Stock Keeping Units)

Often used internally within the organization
Typically have eight digits
Can include letters and numbers
Useful for inventory management

Step 2: Make Your Barcode

Once you have your UPC set up, you need to convert it to a barcode format. There are several ways to do this:

Online barcode generators - Free tools that convert your UPC to a barcode image
Barcode software - More robust solutions for businesses with ongoing needs
Professional services - Label printers can often generate barcodes as part of their service

The barcode generator will create an image file that can work in point-of-sale systems.

Step 3: Print Your Barcode Labels

Now you have barcodes ready, you need to print them. The most common methods:

Laser Printers

Good for small batches
Produces crisp, scannable barcodes
Works with standard label sheets

Inkjet Printers

Suitable for low-volume printing
May require specific label materials for best results

Thermal Printers

Ideal for high-volume barcode printing
Produces durable, smudge-resistant barcodes
Often used in professional label printing

Step 4: Apply Labels to Your Products

The final step is applying the barcode labels to your products:

Use appropriate adhesives for your packaging type
Consider the material and environment
Ensure the barcode is placed where it can be easily scanned
Avoid placement on curved surfaces where scanning may be difficult

Best Practices for Barcode Labels

Size and Placement

Ensure the barcode is large enough to scan reliably
Place on flat surfaces when possible
Avoid placing near edges or folds

Print Quality

Use high-quality printing to ensure scannability
Test barcodes with a scanner before full production
Maintain adequate contrast between bars and background

Material Considerations

Choose materials appropriate for your product’s environment
Consider waterproof options for refrigerated or frozen products
Ensure labels won’t peel or fade during the product’s lifecycle

Conclusion

Adding barcodes to your product labels enables efficient point-of-sale transactions and inventory management. By following these steps—creating your product code, generating the barcode, printing on quality labels, and proper application—your products will be ready for retail environments.