Barcodes for products and shelves

Printshop prints three kinds of linear barcode. EAN-13 and UPC-A are the retail codes on products; Code 128 encodes letters, digits and symbols and is used for shelves, parcels, asset tags and order numbers.

Make an EAN-13 or UPC-A barcode

1. Click Barcode on the left (or press 2).
2. Under Barcode, choose Barcode type: EAN-13 (retail) or UPC-A (retail, North America).
3. Type the Number:
4. EAN-13: 12 digits — Printshop adds the check digit — or all 13 digits, and Printshop checks the last one.
5. UPC-A: 11 or 12 digits in the same way.

If you mistype a digit in a 13-digit number, the check digit no longer fits and the preview shows the error instead of a wrong barcode. The info line shows the encoded number and its check digit.

Retail numbers must come from GS1 for products sold in shops. A barcode alone does not register a product.

Size and height

GS1 defines a nominal module width of 0.33 mm for EAN and UPC. Size (magnification) scales it from 0.8 to 2.0. Below 1.0, scanners at the checkout may struggle; 1.0 is the safe default. Bar height (mm) defaults to the nominal 22.85 mm. Shorter bars still scan with handheld scanners, but keep them as tall as the label allows.

The white space left and right of the bars is part of the barcode (the quiet zone). Printshop always keeps it; do not let other print elements touch it.

Code 128 for everything else

Choose Code 128 (letters, digits, symbols) and type the Text to encode, for example PO-2027-000123 or a shelf location like A-03-17. Code 128 has three code sets: one for upper case and control characters, one for upper and lower case, and one that packs two digits into one symbol. Printshop picks the mix that gives the shortest barcode, so long digit runs stay compact. Only plain ASCII characters are allowed — no accents.

Each Code 128 module is 0.30 mm at magnification 1.0.

Labels and sheets

• Print the digits under the bars shows the human-readable text.
• Caption above the barcode adds a product or shelf name.
• Layout → A sheet of copies fills the page with the same barcode, ready to cut.

For many different barcodes — one per product row — use Labels with a CSV file and choose Code 128 barcode or EAN-13 barcode under Code on each label (see the label tutorial).

Check before you print many

Download the PDF, print it at 100 % and measure the test square. Scan one printed barcode with the scanner you will use. Glossy paper and toner that is low can make bars spread or break.

Next: Calendars with week numbers and holidays.