Introduction to Barcodes
What is a Barcode?
A barcode is a symbol that is easily read by a barcode scanner or smartphone app and links to a globally unique number. Retailers use this number to enter product information into their database- the barcode itself doesn’t contain information apart from the number it represents. Barcodes are most commonly used at checkouts in retail stores. They quickly retrieve the name and price of a product at the checkout and track products as they move through the supply chain. They alert stores to low stock levels of a particular item, prompting them to reorder in good time. Every product variation (e.g. each size and colour) requires its own barcode. For more detailed information about the history and current use of barcodes, Click Here.
Do I Need a Barcode?
If you have a product you wish to sell in a retail store, you will almost certainly need barcodes. Different retailers and regions have varying standards, and it is important to pick the right barcode type to avoid unnecessary hassle and confusion when your goods make it to a store. Each product and variation will require its own unique barcode. For example, if you have three different products and each has five different colours, you will need 3 x 5 = 15 barcodes.
Types of Barcodes
Retail Barcodes
EAN-13 Barcodes / International Article Number
International Article Numbers, formerly EAN (European Article Numbers), comprise 13 digits. EAN13 barcodes are the most common worldwide for all retail products, excluding books and magazines. The USA and Canada mainly use the 12-digit UPC-A (Universal Product Codes). South Africa, the EAN-13 is probably the barcode you need if you have products you wish to stock at a retail store.
Each EAN-13 is product-specific and encoded into a barcode image. This means that when the barcode is scanned into store systems, the retailer records the price and inventory data related to your product. A different EAN-13 number, therefore, is required for each unique product. Click here to purchase EAN-13 barcodes.
UPC-A Barcodes
12-digit UPC Barcodes are used predominantly in the USA and Canada on all retail products, with the exception of books and magazines. If you are selling in the US or Canada, you likely want to use a UPC-A code rather than an EAN-13 code. Click here to purchase UPC-A barcodes.
EAN8 Barcodes
A smaller globally unique barcode intended for VERY SMALL products – difficult to obtain and only available from GS1. GS1 is a membership organisation. – EAN8 barcodes are only 8 digits long – this means that there is a limited number of them, and hence GS1 guard them carefully. So to obtain these, you need to submit proof that your product is very small and wait to see if GS1 approve this.
Book and Magazine Barcodes
ISBN Book Barcodes
International Standard Book Numbers (ISBN) are barcodes for both hard copy and e-books. ISBNs usually start with 978 and are distributed by ISBN agencies in each country (see isbn-international.org/agency). In South Africa, ISBNs can be obtained from the National Library.
Note: Crossword, puzzle and colouring books are not published books, so do not use ISBN barcodes. They use standard retail barcodes instead (EAN or UPC).
We cannot provide you with an ISBN; only the National Library can. Once you have received your ISBN, we create your ISBN barcode. Click here for more information.
When you register your book for an ISBN, you are also legally obligated to fulfil a legal deposit. This means that you must send copies of your book to the National Library of South Africa. For small print runs of under 100 copies, you’re only required to send one copy of your book. Larger print runs require you to send five copies to various places of deposit around the country.
ISSN Magazine Barcodes
An International Standard Serial Number (ISSN) is a unique 8-digit number. The ISSN number identifies periodical publications such as magazines, newspapers and journals. To obtain an ISSN, please see https://www.issn.org/services/requesting-an-issn/
Only apply for an ISSN if your publications meet the following criteria:
• They are serials (journals, newspapers, magazines, monographic series, etc.)
• They are ongoing integrating resources (websites, databases, etc.)
Click here for more information.
Carton Barcodes
ITF-14 Carton & Pallet Barcodes
ITF-14 Carton Codes are created from EAN-13 and UPC-A barcodes. They are only for warehouse use on cartons containing a specific quantity of the item that the product barcode represents. These codes are not for products that are sold individually at a retail level. For example, a case of wine which is sold as a single unit would need a retail barcode. You may need an ITF-14 code if you have a shipping carton full of wine bottles, which will be taken out and sold individually after they arrive at the shop. Click here to purchase ITF-14 barcodes.
QR Codes
QR Codes
They can link to a website URL or to contain information and are often used on posters, pamphlets and advertising material. You can also use them on retail products, for example, to take a customer to your website. However, the product will also need a retail barcode on it, which is scanned by the retailer for pricing, etc, at the checkout. Click here for more information about our QR code services.
How to Use Your Barcode
Getting barcodes onto your products and into retail stores involves three easy steps:
1. Buy a barcode:
• Establish where you will sell your product to determine if you require EAN-13 or UPC barcodes.
• Decide how many barcodes you need based on product variations. Remember that different sizes, colours, and flavours require separate barcodes.
• Purchase your EAN or UPC barcode in the correct quantity online.
• Receive an email with your barcode number/s plus files with the corresponding images in the file format of your choice.
2. Add your barcode to your product:
• Choose whichever barcode image format (e.g. jpeg, pdf) you prefer.
• Resize the image to fit into your product packaging. Please keep in mind the Barcode Dimensions: Standard size 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. For full specifications, see: internationalbarcodes.com/ean-13-specifications
• Add the barcode to your product packaging in an easily visible, flat location. Don’t print too close to the edge or over the seams.
- If you are placing your barcode on a curved surface, e.g. a bottle, the barcode should be rotated to resemble a ladder (vertical) instead of a fence (horizontal).
- BEFORE printing your product packaging, check your label artwork.
- Check that the barcode numbers are correct and that the barcode image is of high quality and within the official size range.
- Do a SAMPLE PRINT and check that the barcode prints and scans correctly.
3. Send your product to retailers:
Once you’ve printed your product packaging, send the barcoded products and product information to your retailers. The retailer will scan the barcode into their system and enter the specific product and price information for that item into their database. The system will display your product information whenever the barcode is scanned in that retail store.
Additional Services We Offer
Barcode Registration
Once a barcode is purchased, you have the option to assign product and company information to your barcodes, such as the product’s country of origin, description and manufacturer’s contact details. You can then register your barcode number and product details on the International Barcodes Database (barcodesdatabase.org). This data is then flows automatically to several other barcode databases.
To register your barcode number, please Click Here.
Registration is optional, but it can increase your product’s profile on the internet.
Benefits of barcode registration:
• To reduce illegal use of your barcode (an internet search will show if the number is already in use, discouraging unauthorised use).
• For greater online visibility of your product, including apps that use barcode databases.
Note: Barcode registration does not send product data to your retailers. You still need to send each retailer your barcode numbers and corresponding product information. Each retailer has their own system, so you need to register your products with them individually.
If you have a barcode which you purchased elsewhere but wish to register, you can buy barcode registration by Clicking Here.
Barcode Verification
Barcode verification is a test scan of your barcode to ensure it will scan well in different scanning environments. Most retailers do not require verification. However, this is country and retailer-specific. We can provide barcode verification if you need it (please contact us if you need your barcodes verified). To learn about barcode verification, please Click Here. For information about the stores that require verification, please Click Here.
