Barcode Labeling
Barcode Labeling
Barcode labeling is the process of attaching a machine-readable barcode to an item to encode information about it. Barcodes are used to identify, track, and manage products and assets throughout their lifecycle.
Here are some ways barcode labeling is used:
Product Identification:
Barcodes can be used to identify products in stores, such as food, clothing, electronics, books, and magazines.
Inventory Tracking:
Barcodes can be used to track inventory, pricing, and other data.
Shipment Tracking:
Barcodes can be used to track shipments.
Product Authenticity:
Barcodes can be used to verify product authenticity.
Return Management:
Barcodes can be used to manage returns.
Warehouse Management:
Barcodes can be used to identify and confirm the correct warehouse location for picking or put away.
Point-Of-Sale Management:
Barcodes can be used to identify fast-selling items and slow-selling items.
The Essential Difference – Why you should choose us?
Exceptional Label Quality:
We offers high-quality materials for your application.
Label Inspection:
We offers barcode inspection technology to reduce human error.
Software:
We offers software to design and print labels, and to streamline printing.
Label types:
We offers a variety of label types, including custom labels, shrink sleeves, and flexible packaging.
Print quality:
We offers GMI-certified print processes to ensure consistent quality
Label storage:
We Woffers guidance on how to store and handle labels to ensure they perform well.
Dedicated Customer Service Team:
Whether you have a quick question, or just have no idea where to start, our expert customer service team is here for you. Our extensively-trained reps are equipped to answer any question, and help you navigate your project from start to finish.
We Make It Easy
We make the label ordering process as easy as possible. Getting started on a new order? Quickly price a wide variety of labels with our online pricing tool. After your purchase, easily track your order and payment history, update payment info, make changes to and approve label designs, and more with our online support tools.
Frequently Asked Questions About Barcode Labeling:
What is a barcode?
A barcode is a machine-readable representation of a number or text that identifies an item. Barcodes are made up of dark and light spaces that a barcode reader scans to determine the pattern of light and dark. The reader then compares the pattern to an encoding table to decode the symbol.
Can I have my barcode produced at any size I choose?
There are standards or best practice guidelines with minimum and maximum sizes for the barcodes you can produce. These restrictions ensure that you will be able to print your barcodes accurately so that they can be easily scanned.
If you are not sure what this means for you, please get in touch, and we will be able to explain what is possible.
How do I know my barcode will scan accurately after it has been printed?
There are international standards for printing barcodes, as they need to be readable by different barcode scanners used worldwide. The quality of the final printed barcode can be checked using a barcode verifier which complies with these ISO/IEC and GS1 standards.
There are companies which will verify individual barcode samples for you, and if you need to verify many barcodes on a regular basis, you can buy your own barcode verifier.
How do I know which colours to use for my barcode?
While black bars on a white background are a very good combination, your barcode does not have to be black and white. The colour chosen must appear black under red light, so blue and green are possible options. The important thing is to make sure that the colour used for the bars is a pure colour, and not one that is created using a four (or more colour) printing process. You must also make sure that you never reverse-out the image, putting white bars on a black background, because this will not work.
My artwork has been printed but does not have a barcode, what should I do??
Our label printing department will be able to produce barcode labels for you that can then be affixed to your products. There is no minimum order size, and these can be produced very quickly for you.
Please call or e-mail us for help,
What are barcode symbologies?
Symbologies are different ways of representing data in bar and space patterns. Some symbologies use only two different widths of bar and space while others use four. Different symbols have been designed to meet different data encoding requirements, and some are designed to be readable when printed onto poor quality substrates. The barcodes of the GS1 System are intended for use in open trade, while others such as Code 39 and Code 128 are available for sector-specific or in-house use.
If you are not sure which barcode symbol you need, please ask us, and we will be happy to explain or click here for a guide.
What is a digital image?
A digital image of a barcode is one that can be incorporated into artwork design using dedicated software packages such as Adobe Illustrator. They are created to be a particular size, and should not be manipulated to make them larger or smaller.
What is a light margin or quiet zone?
Most barcodes require a clear area to the left and right of the bars which must not contain any text or other images. These are now called quiet zones, and were previously known as light margins. Not having wide enough quiet zones is a common reason for barcodes failing to scan.
Where do I obtain my barcode number?
If you need to use EAN barcodes, you will need to become a member of your national GS1 member organisation. For the UK this is GS1 UK, and their website www.gs1uk.org will provide you with the information you need. GS1’s global website, www.gs1.org , will provide you with information about all the other GS1 member organisations.
If you need barcodes for other sectors, please contact us, and we will be able to let you know whom you need to contact.
Which barcodes are used in the retail world?
Virtually all of the barcodes used by retailers worldwide are EAN or UPC symbols. These are standardised by the GS1 system, which has other barcodes for use on outer cases and logistics units, such as pallets. Some retailers, such as Lidl, use a very tall version of these symbols on their own label products, while others such as Ikea, use a different barcode, Code 39.
