A barcode is a machine-readable representation of a unique number, allowing retailers to track product sales in their inventory system. It typically consists of dark ink on a light background, forming high and low reflectance patterns that are converted to binary digits. UPCs (12 digits) and EANs (13 digits) are common types of barcodes.

How to use your barcode in 4 steps

Getting and using barcodes is much easier than you may think. Follow our steps, and let us know if you have any questions.

Order at our website
For retail products, click the orange button ‘buy barcodes now‘ and order your barcodes.
Incorporate the barcode image into your product packaging or design
Choose whichever barcode image format (e.g. jpeg) you prefer.
Resize the image to fit into your product packaging. Please keep in mind our ‘Barcode Specifications‘. The standard size (for EAN-13 or UPC-A barcodes) is about 38mm wide x 25mm high. The smallest recommended size is 80% of the standard size – i.e. about 30mm wide x 20mm high. Some retailers won’t accept if you print your barcode smaller than this.
Print your packaging
Always check your label artwork BEFORE printing your product packaging. Check that the barcode numbers are correct and that the printed image is still high quality and within the official size range. Changes and errors can occur at many stages, so checking the artwork thoroughly before printing is essential.
Once you’re happy with your barcode, it is a good idea to do a sample print and check that it is the right size and prints and scans correctly.
Send your product to your retailers
Once you’ve printed your product packaging, the next step is to send the products to your retailers.
It is at this stage that the barcode gets connected to the product. No product information shows up when the barcode is scanned into a retailer’s system for the first time. The retailer needs to enter the product and price information into their system. After that, the correct product information appears whenever the barcode is scanned in that retail store.

FREE Internet registration for your barcode number

If you purchase barcodes from us, you can register your barcode number and product details on the International Barcodes Database. To register your barcode number go to our customer portal https://portal.internationalbarcodes.net/. Barcode registration is optional. However, it will increase the profile of your product on the internet.