How to obtain Barcodes for your Products
Barcodes may now be seen on the packaging of a wide range of items, and they serve a variety of vital functions. If you offer packaged goods, you should think about acquiring barcodes for them. Before you do so, it’s vital to understand what barcodes are and how to get them and use them.
What Is a Barcode and How Does It Work?
A barcode is a machine-readable code that consists of digits and parallel lines of various lengths. It’s mostly used to identify a certain product. With a barcode-reading machine connected to a database, this code may be instantly scanned and identified.
Selecting the Correct Barcodes
Barcodes come in a lot of shapes and sizes. They are available in one-dimensional and two-dimensional forms and may be used for a variety of applications. To get the most out of your barcodes, you must first determine which kind is best for your items. Following are some of the most common barcodes in use:
1. Universal Product Codes (UPC)
These codes may be found on almost any consumer goods on the planet. They’re mostly utilized for goods that will be scanned at the checkout counter. They are divided into two types: UPC-A and UPC-E. UPC-A codes have 12 digits, but UPC-E codes only have six.
2. International Article Number (EAN CODE)
UPC codes and EAN codes are similar. The primary distinction is that they are mostly utilized in Europe and other parts of the world. EAN codes are divided into five categories:
- EAN-13 codes — 13-digit long codes
- Codes EAN-8 – Codes with eight digits are shorter.
- ISBN (International Standard Book Number) numbers — 13-digit numbers that are used to identify various sorts of books.
- ISSN (International Standard Serial Number) codes – These are codes that are only used on serial publications like journals and magazines.
- JAN-13 (Japanese Serial Number) codes — These numbers are only used on Japanese-made items.
3. ITF (Interleaved 2 of 5) Codes
An ITF code is a 14-digit number used to identify packing products such as cases and boxes.
4. Code GS1-128
The GS1-128 code is a high-density coding that can store a significant amount of data. It is largely used in logistics, manufacturing, transportation, and other industries to track distribution. It can record information such as batch numbers, best before dates, quantities, and weight thanks to its extra-long digit count.
5. QR Code
A QR code is a two-dimensional code that may be used to monitor many sorts of digital items. It may also keep track of marketing materials like periodicals, ads, and business cards. This code differs from the others in that it is completely free to use and cannot be read by a laser scanner. It’s read using a special QR code scanner, which you can get for free.
6. Data Matrix Codes
A Data Matrix code is a two-dimensional square-shaped code that can hold a large quantity of data. As a result, it is often found on a variety of goods in the industrial, electronics, and healthcare industries.
Purchasing Your Barcodes from GS1
1. Register with GS1
You must acquire barcodes from a registered barcode provider after deciding the sort of barcodes you require. The safest option is to register your business with GS1, the worldwide barcode regulator. You can be confident that the barcodes you receive are genuine by doing so. You must, however, first become a member of the GS1 and pay an annual membership fee. You can contact GS1 directly or one of the numerous GS1 member organizations located all over the world. The GS1 website contains information on these member organizations.
2. Obtain a Prefix for Barcodes
After you’ve registered with GS1, you’ll need to get a GS1 company prefix, which may be anything between six and twelve numbers long. The smaller the number of prefix digits, the more barcodes you may produce for that firm. As a result, keeping the prefix digit count as low as feasible is a smart idea.
3. Choose from a variety of barcode packages.
Then go ahead and purchase a barcodes package that is appropriate for your company. The lower the cost per code, the more barcodes you buy, therefore you’re better off ordering a bigger number. After you’ve decided on a barcode package, you may pay for it either online or through a GS1 member organization. You will receive a GSI barcode ownership certificate after your payment has been verified, which you may use to resale your unused barcodes in the future.
4. Adding Numbers to Your Products
The next step is to give the items or services you want to sell numbers. Your goods, business, corporate assets, locations, logistic units, and service relationships can all be assigned digits. It’s also worth noting that barcode digits must be assigned to each edition of your goods. More information on how to assign numbers to your items may be obtained from your local GSI member organization. And finally, you can create barcodes using the GS1 Interface.
Conclusion:
As more businesses realize the benefits of barcodes, they are becoming an integral component of the retail industry. They can assist you in saving time, money, reducing mistakes, and increasing the efficiency of your operations. It is critical to begin using barcodes if you want to stay competitive in the retail industry. Barcode selection, purchase, and use need considerable expertise and work, but the benefits are well worth it.
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