Helpful Barcode Videos

Short, practical video guides to barcodes, QR codes and GTINs. If you’re setting up your first product, working out which barcode you need, or trying to figure out why one won’t scan, this is the place to start.

Barcodes look simple from the outside, but the first time you have to choose one, size it correctly and get it onto your packaging, the questions pile up quickly. Our videos walk through each of those steps in a few minutes each, so you can watch the one you need rather than reading a manual.

 

What the videos cover

• Getting started — what a barcode actually is, which type suits your product, and how to get one onto your packaging. Most people arrive here having never bought a barcode before, so these assume no prior knowledge.
• Choosing between UPC-A and EAN-13 — which format to use depending on where you’re selling, and why it matters less than people expect.
• Sizing and printing — how small you can go before scanners struggle, and why the white space around a barcode is as important as the bars themselves.
• QR codes and GTIN Digital Link — what these do beyond pointing a phone at a web address, and how they connect to your existing product numbers.
• Cartons and logistics — ITF-14 carton codes and SSCC numbers. Retailers often ask for these separately once your product is selling, so they’re worth understanding before you’re asked.
• Troubleshooting — barcodes fail to scan for a handful of predictable reasons, and most are fixable before you go to print. Start here if something isn’t working.