01.Two kinds of barcodes sellers need
| GS1 EAN-13 / UPC | Code 128 SKU barcode | |
|---|---|---|
| What it identifies | A product, worldwide | Your own SKU, bin or packet |
| Where the number comes from | Issued to you by GS1 India | You make it up (your SKU) |
| Cost | Membership fees to GS1 | Free |
| Characters | Digits only | Letters, digits, symbols |
| Use it for | Retail and marketplace product IDs | Inventory, picking, packing, returns |
02.When marketplaces need a GS1 barcode
Amazon usually asks for a GTIN, such as a GS1-issued EAN, when you create a new product, unless your brand qualifies for a GTIN exemption. Requirements differ by marketplace and category, so check each seller panel before buying numbers.
03.How to make your own SKU barcodes
- 1Create consistent SKUs first, for example KUR-ANA-BLU-M-101. The free SKU generator builds one for every style, colour and size.
- 2Paste the SKUs into the barcode generator, one per line, and choose Code 128.
- 3Pick a layout: 24, 40 or 65 labels on an A4 sheet, or 50 × 25 mm thermal labels.
- 4Print at 100% scale and scan one label with your phone before printing the rest.
For an EAN you already own, choose EAN-13 and enter 12 digits; the generator adds the check digit. Enter 13 digits and it verifies the check digit instead.
04.Printing tips that prevent scan failures
- Keep the white quiet zone on both sides of the bars.
- Don’t stretch or shrink the barcode in a design app; print it at the size it was made.
- Use black on white. Coloured or low-contrast bars scan badly.
- Avoid curved or creased surfaces; stick labels on flat packaging.
05.Getting GS1 barcodes: the general process
- 1Apply for membership on the GS1 India website and choose how many product numbers you need.
- 2Pay the registration and annual fees; GS1 assigns your company prefix.
- 3Give each product variant its own number from your range, and keep a register of which number belongs to which product.
- 4Print the barcodes at the recommended size, or let your packaging printer do it.
Fees, number ranges and process details are set by GS1 India and change over time, so check their website before you apply.
06.Which barcode do you need?
| Situation | Barcode |
|---|---|
| Listing a new product that a marketplace requires a GTIN for | GS1 EAN-13 |
| Selling to retail stores that scan at billing | GS1 EAN-13 |
| Labelling your own bins, packets and stock | Code 128 of your SKU |
| Packing and dispatch checks | Code 128 of your SKU |
| Sharing a link or payment | A QR code, not a barcode |
