Barcode for Your Product Packaging Design: The Basics
Creating your first product packaging is an exciting stage for business but there are some general requirements you need to understand when it comes to barcoding your products. Many first time sellers focus solely on creating their package design before they consider what retailers they want to use and what their barcoding requirements are. In order to make your packaging legitimate and ready for all retailers, you need to understand barcoding. Make it a priority when designing a package.
Here is some general information so you can make more informed choices about your barcoding.
Do I Need a Barcode for my Product Packaging Design?
- If you are not using an online or brick and mortar retailer you probably don’t need to barcode your products.
- However, if you want to supply your products to most retailers, you will need an official barcode. Many retailers require you to have a UPC Barcode with a GS1 Company Prefix.
What is a Barcode’s GS1 Company Prefix?
- A GS1 Company Prefix is a part of the code that is unique to your business. If you have this code, all the product barcodes you will purchase will also identify your company.
- All Prefixes must be purchased and maintained through though an annual registration renewal.
There are Cheaper Options than GS1? Should I Use Those?
- Usually, these cheaper options allow you to create barcodes using a Prefix registered by the business you are buying the barcodes from.
- You could use these barcodes, but remember many companies require you to have your own company prefix. You may be limiting your retailers if you choose this option.
I’ve purchased my barcodes! Can I forget about it now?
- No! It’s important to remember that these barcodes need to be paid annually for them to belong to you. Your provider has the right to reuse the barcode and company prefix if you do not pay for the barcodes annually.
Remember to do your research when creating your company’s barcodes for the first time. It’s an important step in retail package design and you want to do it right the first time. BRANDING IS WHAT WE DO™ is here to help as you create your first product packages and product labels. With marketing and branding expertise and quality graphic design, we are equipped to make your package design sell! Contact us to create a package design that fits your brand, speaks to your consumers, and shows off your product.
BRANDING IS WHAT WE DO™ is a Graphic Design and Branding agency located in Denver, Colorado. We specialize in Logo Design, Print Design, Creative Graphic Design, Custom Box Design, Label Design, and Product Packaging Design. To learn more about us, click here.
Barcode Acronyms & Meaning
Creating barcodes for your company can be extremely confusing, and trying to keep track of all the acronyms and what they mean is frustrating. But it’s an important step for your packaging design and needs to be taken seriously. Barcoding will help you sell with more retailers and scale your business as you create a customer base. Package Design without proper barcoding can limit where you sell your product. It’s an inevitable step for anyone serious about selling their product so if you don’t want to waste time adding barcoding to your package design later, it’s best to get started now.
We’ve created a list of some of the most important barcode acronyms that you’ll need to understand. Use this as a resource as you create your first barcodes.
What is a Barcode GS1 Company Prefix?
Okay not technically an acronym BUT it’s very important to understand what the GS1 Company Prefix is and why it matters. GS1 stands for Global Standards One. This means they are the authority when it comes to managing barcodes globally. The GS1 Company Prefix is a unique number that is licensed to your company – no other company can use this number while you hold the license.
The Prefix can be useful to customers who want to verify if a product belongs to your company but it’s especially important to you and your company. The GS1 Company Prefix is often required by retailers before you can sell with them. Often if you’re looking to sell internationally, the Prefix is required as well.
GTIN
GTIN means Global Trade Item Number. This is a global standard for identifying products. It can be found beneath a U.P.C symbol (barcode). You’ll use GTINS to uniquely identify your products.
UPC Code
U.P.C. means Universal Product Code and it’s the most commonly used barcode globally. GTINs and U.P.C’s are often considered the same but they are not. A GTIN is a number that is unique to its product. The U.P.C. is the barcode that can be scanned.
GLN
GLN stands for Global Location Number” and it’s used to show legal and physical locations. It will be printed on your Company Prefix Certificate.
Hopefully, this list is useful to you as you start your package design. BIWWD is committed to creating attractive packaging for your product. We create retail packaging with high-quality graphic design that will attract new customers to your brand. We create custom box design and printing for our clients, using branded design that’ll draw in an audience! Let us know if you’re interested in getting custom package design that fits your brand and sells your product.
