Custom Barcode Labels printed to scan first time

Barcode label buying guide

How to make sure your barcode labels scan

Most barcode failures are avoidable. They come down to contrast, size, surrounding space and finish, all of which can be controlled before a single label is printed.

Why choose custom barcode labels?

Generic barcode labels rarely match your products. Custom labels let you combine a scannable code with your logo, product name, variant and price in a layout that suits your packaging and your stock system.

Printing them professionally also gives you control over the details that affect scanning, rather than hoping an office printer produces bars sharp enough for a retailer’s scanner.

Popular uses for barcode labels

Barcode labels are used for:

• Retail products – EAN-13 and UPC codes for goods sold through shops.
• Warehousing and stock – product, bin and shelf labels for inventory systems.
• Asset tracking – codes on equipment, tools and IT hardware.
• E-commerce fulfilment – SKU labels that speed up picking and packing.
• Libraries, archives and events – item, ticket and pass labels.

Materials, shapes and sizes

Matte white stock is the safest choice for barcodes, because gloss and metallic surfaces can reflect scanner light and cause misreads. For products that are chilled, frozen or handled roughly, a waterproof or vinyl label keeps the code intact.

Retail barcodes have recommended sizes, and shrinking them too far or cutting the bar height makes them harder to scan. Leave clear space, known as the quiet zone, on either side of the bars, and avoid placing codes over seams, curves or edges.

Placement deserves as much thought as the label itself. On bottles and tubes, run the bars vertically, like a ladder, so the curve does not distort them; on boxes, keep codes away from edges and flaps where they can be creased or partly hidden.

Printing and finishing options

Dark bars on a light background give the best contrast: black on white is ideal. Avoid red bars, which many scanners cannot see, and avoid patterned or coloured backgrounds behind the code.

Always supply barcodes as vector artwork generated from your barcode software, so the bars stay precisely the right width. We print what you supply; please test a printed sample with your scanner or retailer’s requirements before a large run.

Getting barcode numbers

The artwork can be printed by us, but the barcode numbers themselves need to come from a legitimate source. Most UK businesses selling through retailers obtain their numbers through GS1 UK, and retailers may reject products with numbers from elsewhere.

For internal stock or asset tracking, your own numbering system is usually fine. If each label needs a unique code, tell us when you request a quote so we can confirm how to handle it.

Why businesses choose AStickerPrinting for barcode labels

We review barcode artwork before printing, check that quiet zones and contrast look right at your chosen size, and send a PDF proof for approval. Please check the code on your proof carefully, as barcodes print exactly as supplied.