How to Use Your Retail Barcode
Once you receive your barcode package via email, you can begin using it immediately. Follow these four simple steps to get your product retail-ready.
Add the image to your packaging
Choose your preferred image format from the email folder (such as the PNG or SVG file) and hand it to your graphic designer.
Sizing rules: Standard size for EAN-13 and UPC-A barcodes is roughly 38mm wide by 25mm high. You can scale it down, but the smallest recommended size is 80% of the standard size (about 30mm wide by 20mm high). Printing smaller than this risks rejection by retail scanners.
Curved surfaces: If placing your barcode on a curved surface like a bottle or can, the orientation is critical. The barcode must be rotated so it looks like a ladder rather than a fence. This ensures the scanner can read the flat edges of the bars without them wrapping around the curve.
Print a sample and verify
Always double-check your label artwork BEFORE authorizing a massive print run for your product packaging. Check that the typed numbers perfectly match your assigned sequence, and that the image remains crisp and high quality.
Once you are happy with the digital proof, do a physical sample print. Use a smartphone barcode app to ensure the code scans easily under normal lighting.
Exporting? If your retailer explicitly asks for a Barcode Verification Report, you will need to mail us a physical sample of this final printed packaging for diagnostic testing.
Send products to your retailers
This is the stage where the barcode finally gets connected to your specific product details.
A barcode image does not hold pricing data. It is simply a unique reference number. When the barcode is scanned into a retailer's Point of Sale system for the very first time, the screen will be blank. The store manager must manually type your product name and retail price into their specific local system and link it to your number.
Once they complete that initial setup, every subsequent scan in that store will instantly bring up your correct product information.
Register your numbers globally
If you purchased a Barcode Package directly from us, you are entitled to free registration on the International Barcodes Database.
Registration is completely optional. Your barcodes will scan perfectly at the retail checkout without it. However, registering your product details raises your profile on the internet and ensures smartphone scanning apps return your specific brand data instead of a blank screen.
Essential Setup Resources
Make sure your packaging complies with retail standards by reviewing our technical guides.