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3 Steps To Barcode Success

Barcodes save you time and money by reducing errors, cutting costs & improving efficiency

Step 1: What Kind Of Barcodes Do You Need

Barcode Use
Kind Of Barcode
For items of which characteristics would not change on a regular basis
GTINs (barcode numbers)
For very small items
GTIN-8 or Databar
Can hold the Global Trade Item Number (GTIN) and is suitable for printing on corrugated materials, e.g boxes & cases for distribution and logistics
ITF-14
Identifies a logistic unit, which can be a combination of items packaged together for storage and/or transport purposes
Serial Shipping Container Code (SSCC)
For items that are weighed or cut off at a certain dimensions with pricing included on a barcode to be scanned at the point of sale
28 or 29 Prefix Barcode
Can carry any of the GS1 ID keys, plus information like serial numbers, expiration dates and more
GS1-128
Learn More About Types Of Barcodes

Step 2: How many barcodes & do you need prefixes

The most important thing to understand is that each variation of each product you sell requires a unique barcode. You’ll need to determine exactly how many barcodes you need before you fill out the application. You can follow the example below or use the barcode estimator to help you decide.

Use GS1’s Online Barcode Calculator

GS1 Company Prefixes allow businesses to get multiple barcodes at a single time, they also identify locations, mixed cases, create coupons, and create higher levels of packaging like a case or pallet.

Company Prefixes from GS1 are perfectly suited for companies with growing product lines. It gives you access to the barcodes you need today plus backups ready to identify the latest additions, ensuring you can respond to the growth opportunities that define your tomorrow.

GS1 offers different barcode options to best serve our members. Each GS1 Company Prefix license comes in different “capacities” representing the maximum number of unique products you can identify with that license.

Get a GS1 company prefix

Step 3: Attend barcode training workshops

After signing up as a GS1 member, you’ll have access to our workshops and online courses. Become an expert in the GS1 revolution led by barcodes and identifiers linking brand data to sellers around the world.

It is very important to attend the training – during training you will work through all the new terms and understand how barcodes work and will also give you many ideas on how to start using the GS1 standards and solutions.

From this step onwards, you could get the details of the steps that follow by downloading the following document: 10 steps to barcode implementation or: 10 steps to barcode your product

Get started with GS1 Activate
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