How to Generate a Barcode for a Product
Barcodes and QR codes get lumped together but do different jobs. A QR code can hold a URL, a chunk of text, contact details — genuinely flexible data. A traditional barcode (like UPC or Code 128) usually just encodes a number or short code, meant to be looked up against a database elsewhere — think a product's SKU at checkout, or an inventory tracking number in a warehouse system.
Steps
- Open the Barcode Generator.
- Enter the number or code you need encoded, and pick the barcode format your system expects.
- Download the generated barcode image.
Format matters more than it seems
Retail point-of-sale systems generally expect UPC or EAN formats with a specific, valid check-digit structure — you can't just make up a 12-digit number and expect a store's scanner to accept it as a real product code. Internal inventory or warehouse barcodes, on the other hand, often use Code 128 and can encode whatever internal reference scheme you're already using. Check which format your destination system actually expects before generating and printing a batch of labels.