Step 1.  Download and unzip the Barcode Package Folder

A .zip folder of your barcode package is attached to your purchase confirmation email. Check your spam folder if you don’t see this email right away.  Download the “Barcode Numbers.zip” file.  Once downloaded right click and select “extract here” or “extract all” to access the file contents. 

Step 2. Add the barcode image to your product packaging artwork file

Our barcode number images are supplied in 3 high resolution formats (JPEG, TIFF and EPS).  Include one of these formats into your product artwork file e.g. Adobe Illustrator (ai) or Photoshop (psd).   The EPS version offers the highest resolution (2540 dpi) and flexibility for resizing.  If uncertain on which format to use discuss it with your graphic designer, print shop or email us.

You can now add the barcode image to your product packaging. It is important to meet barcode specifications and size guidelines to ensure the best scan. The minimum recommended size for EAN-13 or UPC-A barcodes is 80% magnification, approx 30mm x 21mm.  The maximum recommended magnification is 200% approx 74mm x 51mm.

Correct barcode placement is critical.  Examples include:

– Using a ladder orientation on cylindrical products such as softdrink, beer bottles or cans.  The barcode is rotated 90 degrees (appearing like a ladder) for optimal scanning.

– Ensuring the barcode is printed on a flat surface – not wrapped around an edge of a box or printed on an uneven surface.

– Ensuring other design elements do not encroach on the quiet zones (white space either side of the bars).

Alternatively you can print your barcodes directly to labels and manually affix them to your product.  This is an ideal solution for customers with products that do not display a barcode. See Label Printing for more.

Step 3. Print your product packaging

We suggest test scanning the printed artwork proof 1:1 scale before ordering mass print runs.  At this stage you can optionally arrange a barcode verification report (or interim report) to ensure the barcode will scan correctly or identify any potential errors with the barcode placement.  For more information see Printing Options and Barcode Verification.

Step 4. Send your product to your retailer or distributor

The barcode is now physically assigned and connected to your product. When first taking your product into inventory the retailer will scan the barcode and enter any relevant product info into their system. When barcode is scanned at POS afterwards your product information will be returned by the system.  Additional methods to ensure your retailer has the relevant information include:

– Submitting an Excel Sheet to your retailer that demonstrates your barcode assignments.  This is useful when sending a large inventory e.g. 50 unique products and wish to include detailed product information.  Excel allows for more columns information to be included such as size, price, ingredients etc.  The retailer will manually enter the relevant information into their POS system so the product details will be returned when scanned at POS.

– Your retailer may require you to fill out a vendor form (or product information form) linking your product/company information to the unique barcode number.  The retailer will transfer this information into their inventory system allowing your product to be scanned at POS.

! Please note we don’t require any product information from you when purchasing barcodes.   Numbers supplied are unused and ready for assignment by you. The same principle applies if you obtain your numbers through GS1 or any other re-seller.

Step 5. Register your barcode number and product data (optional/recommended)

You can register your barcode numbers and product details on gtinsearch.org and gtinlookup.org for free.  Registering your barcode numbers and product data with online databases is optional. However this greatly increases the online visibility of your codes & product data.  Similarly entering your product info on Amazon, ebay & Google merchant listings will have the same effect of allowing Google to index your numbers. Furthermore this helps deter unauthorised use of your barcodes.