generate barcode for products

[wajidm]

Hi Guys,

I am looking for some guidance on how to generate the barcodes for my products for unique identification purpose. Could this bardcode we associated back to the stock keeping unit and inventory?

Also, any barcode printer you would recommend for print the barcode labels?

Regards,
Wajid

 

[Alan]

Simply put, barcodes are just a number or text, so in you can generally use any unique code you have, I certainly just used my SKU.

In terms of printing, there is plenty of choice, google is your friend. I used to use a Zebra printer.

You will need some software to conver the number/text field from stock control system output to barcode format. Again google is your friend, sometime the printers come bundled with software, there is even some free stuff out there.

 

[Abe Choi]

@wajidm If you have small volume I would get the Zebra LP2844 or the newer version GK420d. They have a small footprint and produce labels fast enough for low - mid volumes.

Yes if you have a inventory system that does barcode scanning, you could potentially have a workflow do the following.

Pick, pack, apply shipping label, scan barcode on shipping label
which then
triggers confirmation to sales channel and/or email, deducts inventory, adds unit to the carrier you will be shipping with

You will just need software that suits your workflow.

 

[Alan]

Just so happens I have my Zebra LP2844 from when I did e-commerce, sitting in my cupboard, waiting for me to think about putting it on ebay. PM me if you are interested in paying something for it.

 

[Abe Choi]

LP2844 is definitely a work horse, I've got one that was manufactured in 2003 and its still kicking.

 

[kulture]

Please note you can use your own randomly generated numbers for internal use, but if you want to use them externally like on Amazon or supply another retailer, then you would be better using an EAN. Look at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Article_Number_(EAN) for an explanation.

 

[wajidm]

Thanks for your help! I did some reading and since we want to sell our own branded products I took subscription with GS1 UK to get a set of 1000 EAN barcodes from them. Slightly on the expensive side but I am sure this will help when business expands. I will checkout the Zebra LP2844.

Many thanks,
Wajid