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A barcode is a type of matrix code consisting of parallel lines and elements that can be read by computer imaging technology. Barcodes are widely used in the retail industry to identify products, keep track of inventory, as well as scan them for payment purposes.
Barcode labels make it easier for companies to keep track of inventory and access important product information. With a single barcode scan, you may discover product information, stock on hand, price, and even finalize a transaction. A point-of-sale (POS) system or barcode generators may be used to create and print barcodes at a low cost.
1. Make a list of your product codes.
To create a barcode, you’ll need unique product codes that may be used to identify and track your items. To monitor inventory products, most organizations utilize either Universal Product Code (UPC) numbers or stock-keeping unit (SKU) numbers, which are then converted into a barcode for their barcode labels. The ideal stock coding or numbering system for you is determined by your sort of company and inventory monitoring requirements.
UPC Barcode Numbers are a kind of barcode that is used to identify products
Most items have UPC barcode labels on them, which are put there by the manufacturer. Manufacturers get UPCs by registering with Global Standard 1 (GS1), which provides them with unique 8- to 12-digit numbers that allow them to identify and track their goods globally.
Most goods makers utilize UPC barcode labels, which can be monitored via POS systems.
If you manufacture your own items or sell private label products under your own brand, you need to register with the GS1 and get UPCs. Although UPCs aren’t needed by law, and you may create and sell things without them, there are a number of advantages to adopting them, including:
- Aids in the prevention of trademark theft and product forgeries for your company’s brand.
- Allows you to sell on Amazon; products sold on Amazon must have a valid UPC.
- Makes it simple for customers to find information about your product online, such as its kind, limits, or possible allergies if it’s a food item.
- Can be used to monitor inventory and speed up the checkout process in a POS System for Retail like Retailers should use Square.
SKUs (stock-keeping units)
You can also make a barcode for each of your products based on the internal inventory tracking or numbering system that you set up for your operation. These are called custom SKUs (stock-keeping units). SKUs are often used by retailers and eCommerce sellers who stock items from many suppliers and want to track products under a conventional numbering system.
When compared to tracking items using solely manufacturer UPCs, using your own SKU numbers has several benefits. SKU numbers enable merchants to build their own labeling system that works for them in terms of inventory management, departmental sales tracking, and easy product searches. Using their POS system, retailers can simply generate SKU numbers.
After you’ve created your unique product codes, the following step is to enter them into a system that converts them into barcodes that can be used to print labels.
2. For each product code, create a barcode
For each of your product codes, there are three easy methods to create a barcode. These are some of them:
- Retail point-of-sale systems: These all-in-one sales, inventory, and business management systems make it simple to produce a barcode based on each item’s product SKU or UPC.
- Websites that generate barcodes: Some websites can convert your product codes into a barcode that you can save and print.
- Portable barcode printers: Handheld label printers allow you to quickly create a barcode for your labels by entering a product code.
Here’s a deeper look at each of these three methods for creating a barcode.
POS System for Retail
Many POS systems for Retails have built-in inventory tools that make it very easy to make a barcode from your product codes. If you manage inventory in any quantity, you should consider using a POS system. It simplifies barcode label printing greatly plus streamlines all of your business activities, including sales and checkout tasks, payment processing, staff management, store performance reporting, and much more.
Websites that generate barcodes
Several websites allow you to convert product codes into a variety of barcode pictures. Simply choose the barcode type and size, then input the code information.
Websites that produce barcode labels online, such as Online Labels (pictured above), generate barcodes that you may either download and print yourself or acquire preprinted labels.
As you can see above, you can select from several barcode formats. Note that these barcode variations generally work across all devices, inventory, and POS systems as long as you select the same barcode type in your scanner and system settings. Free Websites that generate barcodes are a handy way to create barcode images, but you still have to get them printed onto labels.
Online Labels and similar businesses charge a fee for printed sheets or rolls of the barcode labels you produce on their site. For 100 label sheets, expect to spend about $20. You will get 700 of the identical codes, printed on ready-to-use labels, in only a few days. This is a common choice among producers that want big amounts of labels but do not want to deal with the hassle of printing them themselves.
You may use this option if you just need a few barcode labels and don’t want to invest any money. To begin, design your barcode using Online Labels or a comparable service. You may then save your barcode as a .jpg file and paste it into Microsoft Word, Google Docs, or another document-creation application. Then, using the instructions below, print your code into inkjet or laser label sheets.
Barcode Label Maker on the Go
A portable handheld barcode maker with a built-in label printer may be all you need to monitor inventory in a retail POS or other inventory management system.
A portable barcode maker does exactly what it says on the tin. You enter the code and label information into the gadget, which looks like the one below, and it converts it to a barcode. It also allows you to personalize the style of your label and add other information such as product name or price, before printing your barcode and other data directly into a label.
The above-mentioned handheld portable barcode label printer costs roughly $90. You will need to buy label rolls built for the device, which will add to the cost depending on how many labels you need to print. If you just need to print a small number of barcode labels on the go, though, you can’t beat the ease and simplicity of this method.
You’ll almost certainly need a second printer if you’re not printing your barcodes using a portable label maker. You’ll need a laser, inkjet, or thermal label printer if you’re printing barcodes from a POS or an online barcode generator, for example.
3. Labels with barcodes may be printed
If you’re using a retail POS, an eCommerce order management system, or document software to create barcode labels, you’ll need a printer and label sheets or rolls to print them off. You won’t need this step if you utilize the printing service on the label generator website or the mobile barcode label printer mentioned earlier.
Barcode labels on label sheets may be printed using typical desktop inkjet or laser printers, or barcode labels on label rolls can be printed with thermal printers. Here’s a deeper look at how you can print barcode labels with these sorts of printers.
Use Laser & Inkjet Printers with Label Sheets
The Epson Expression ET-2650 Color Inkjet printer is a super tank printer that uses bulk ink refills rather than costly cartridges and costs about $160 on Amazon. It generates crisp barcode labels and is a super tank printer that uses bulk ink refills rather than expensive cartridges.
A laser or inkjet printer is almost certainly already in your possession. If you don’t have one, a basic model costs roughly $50. All-in-ones like the Epson Expression above cost roughly $200 if you require extra functions for your company, like a built-in scanner or fax.
Both inkjet and laser printers can print a wide range of crisp barcode labels in a number of sizes, such as these barcode warehouse bin labels created using Avery printer labels.
Avery, for example, offers a wide range of precut laser and inkjet label sheets that are compatible with most POS and inventory management systems. You may use them to print barcode labels in the precise size and number you want.
Thermal label printers
Thermal label printers are affordable and a suitable investment if you need to print barcode labels often or in large quantities. Thermal label printers use low-cost thermal labels that are often sold in large rolls. Thermal printers also have the benefit of not requiring ink or toner. You’ll never be unable to print labels because your printer has run out of ink this way.
Conclusion
Businesses should look at the resources they currently have before deciding how to create a barcode. This is your best choice if you have a POS system with built-in barcode generators. A free online generator would be your best choice if you need to create a barcode for a single event rapidly.
Most retail and eCommerce businesses would benefit from using a POS system to make barcodes. These management tools help streamline your entire operation.
