Where barcodes come from
Retail barcodes are built from numbers licensed by GS1, the non-profit organisation that manages the system worldwide. Each product variant, such as each size and colour, needs its own number. Buying cheap numbers from resellers can cause problems with major retailers.
EAN, UPC and FNSKU
EAN-13 is the 13-digit format used in most of the world; UPC-A is the 12-digit format common in the US and Canada. For Amazon FBA, sellers often add an FNSKU label that links the unit to their seller account.
Labels beyond the barcode
Retail labels can also carry the price, the country of origin, the importer's address, safety warnings and care instructions, depending on the market and the product.
- One barcode per variant (size, colour).
- Country of origin where required.
- Importer name and address for the EU and other markets.
- Warnings in the language of the market.
Print it right
Keep barcodes at a scannable size, with quiet space on both sides, printed dark on a light background. Avoid placing them over folds, curved edges or shiny foil, where scanners struggle to read the bars.
Retailer-specific labels
Large retailers and marketplaces often have their own label rules: special carton labels, pallet labels, or product labels with their own reference. Ask for the retailer's supplier manual early and share it with the factory, so labels are printed and applied during production, not afterwards.
Testing barcodes before shipping
A barcode that will not scan can mean rejected deliveries or relabelling fees. Scan the printed barcodes with a phone or a scanner at the sample stage and during inspection. Check that the number matches your product list and that the print is sharp and has enough contrast.
