Barcode Label Guide
Everything you need to know about barcode types, formats, and how to print barcode labels.
Barcode Formats Explained
EAN-13
The most common barcode for retail products worldwide (except North America). Contains 13 digits including a check digit. Used on virtually all consumer products sold in stores.
- Length: 13 digits
- Use: Retail products, groceries, books (ISBN)
- Example: 5901234123457
EAN-8
A shorter version of EAN-13 for small products where space is limited. Contains 8 digits.
- Length: 8 digits
- Use: Small retail products, cigarettes, confectionery
UPC-A
The standard barcode for retail in North America. Contains 12 digits. Similar to EAN-13 but with a different encoding scheme.
- Length: 12 digits
- Use: Retail products in USA and Canada
Code 128
A high-density barcode supporting the full ASCII character set. Used in logistics, shipping, and supply chain management.
- Length: Variable
- Use: Shipping labels, logistics, serial numbers, internal inventory
- Characters: All 128 ASCII characters
Code 39
An older but widely used barcode supporting letters, numbers, and some symbols. Common in manufacturing and defense industries.
- Length: Variable
- Use: Manufacturing, automotive, military
- Characters: A-Z, 0-9, and symbols (- . $ / + % space)
ITF-14
Used for outer packaging and cartons in logistics. Contains 14 digits and has thick bars for reliable scanning on corrugated cardboard.
- Length: 14 digits
- Use: Outer packaging, cartons, pallets
QR Code
A 2D barcode that can store much more data than traditional barcodes. Scannable by smartphone cameras.
- Capacity: Up to 4,296 characters
- Use: URLs, contact info, WiFi credentials, product info, marketing
Which Format Should I Use?
| Use Case | Recommended Format |
|---|---|
| Retail products (worldwide) | EAN-13 |
| Retail products (USA/Canada) | UPC-A |
| Small retail products | EAN-8 |
| Shipping & logistics | Code 128 |
| Internal inventory | Code 128 or Code 39 |
| Outer cartons | ITF-14 |
| Linking to websites/apps | QR Code |
How to Create Barcode Labels in Lableo
- Open Lableo and create a new label project
- Click the Barcode tool in the toolbar
- Select your barcode format (EAN-13, Code 128, etc.)
- Enter the barcode data or link it to a spreadsheet column
- Add product name, price, or other text alongside the barcode
- Print on A4 label sheets or roll labels
Printing Tips for Barcode Labels
- Resolution: Print at 300 DPI or higher for reliable scanning
- Size: Don't shrink barcodes too small — EAN-13 should be at least 25mm wide
- Contrast: Black bars on white background gives best scan results
- Quiet zones: Leave white space around barcodes — Lableo handles this automatically
- Test scan: Always scan printed barcodes to verify they work before large print runs