A 1D, linear barcode, like a Universal Product Code (UPC), is a series of vertical lines and spaces representing a series of numbers known as a Global Trade Item Number (GTIN). 2D barcodes, like QR Code or GS1 DataMatrix, use a grid pattern to represent GTIN and other information important to businesses, consumers, patients, and more. These codes streamline and reduce errors in systems that require the transmission of both small and large amounts of information.
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Barcodes are an essential part of moving your business forward. Whether you’re an international enterprise tracking a package from a supply warehouse in China to its destination in Florida, a mom-and-pop shop improving efficiency at your point-of-sale, or you're just starting to offer your products online, you need barcodes for whatever it is you sell. You can create a barcode for your products with help from GS1 US.
GS1 standards are the most widely-used standards in global supply chains and GS1 US provides the resources and support to power barcodes used by companies around the globe.
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What is a Barcode?
Systems scanning the UPC or other barcodes, decode the bar pattern and use that data to access information in a database attached to the code. With this information, system can take fast, automatic actions to keep supply chains moving. Industries like retail, healthcare, logistics, and many others rely on barcodes to ensure essential data is read quickly and effectively to lead to large amounts of information stored in systems – all with a simple scan.
The process is the same across every industry for companies and organizations to retrieve information quickly and easily without error. Whether using barcodes to track shipments, ensure proper patient care, or quickly check the prices of items, you need barcodes to ensure speed and accuracy. Your unique barcode will allow workers to easily access product information at any point of the supply chain without risk of errors or duplication.
Why GS1 for Barcodes?
When items go through an international supply chain, they’re subjected to tracking in many countries. For example, when an item is made in Japan, its components and raw materials are imported from another country. The Japanese factories then complete the build and export it to wherever it’s sold. Because of this process, the items are traveling through multiple countries and channels. You can more easily track materials and components with effective barcodes that are registered internationally. While you can easily find an online barcode generator to create a code, it’s essential that the information held in your barcode is structured correctly and contains standardized data so it can be tracked through your international supply chain. They can then be accepted in stores and online marketplaces all over the world.
A GS1 barcode can be used internationally and promises a unique sequence for your GTIN or other GS1 identifier that can flow seamlessly through a supply chain from start to finish without getting caught with duplicate information in databases.
GS1 Standards ensure that your barcode can be used anywhere you want to market your product.
How to Create a Barcode
Now that we’ve gone through some of the ins and outs of what barcodes are used for and why you need them, let’s walk through how to create a barcode. GS1 US makes it easy to register your identifiers and generate your barcodes, so you always know where to find the data attached to them using our platform, GS1 US Data Hub®.
Have you licensed a GS1 Company Prefix for your product(s)?
If you have not yet licensed a GS1 Company Prefix for your product or products, start here to license your prefix.
Generate Your Barcode
Log in to GS1 US Data Hub to enter product data and assign an available GTIN before you can download the barcode image for your product.
Track your products from their point of origin to the customer’s hand with help from GS1 US
Visit Small Business to learn more about how to track your products on shelves and online marketplaces and how GS1 US can help you grow your business.
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Inventory Management for Small Businesses
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Get Your U.P.C. Barcodes from GS1 US
Scale Up with a GS1 Company Prefix
A GS1 Company Prefix allows businesses to get multiple barcodes at a single time, as well as identify locations, mixed cases, create coupons, and create higher levels of packaging like a case or pallet.
Start Small with a GS1 US GTIN
Barcodes issued by GS1 US uniquely identify a single retail product online and in retail stores around the world. If you have only a few products that need barcodes, this might be the most cost-effective option for your company.