A Step-by-Step Guide — nationwidebarcode.com
What Is a Barcode?
A barcode is an optical scanning symbol that encodes a product identification number. The formal term is GTIN (Global Trade Identification Number). There are two common formats:
UPC-A (GTIN-12) — a 12-digit number used in the United States and Canada. Readable at most international retail points of sale.
EAN-13 (GTIN-13) — a 13-digit number used in Europe, Australia, Asia, and South America. The first digit is a country code prefix. Barcodes issued by a U.S.-based supplier begin with a zero and are accepted worldwide.
Both formats encode only a number. No product data is stored in the barcode itself. When a scanner reads a barcode, it retrieves the number, which the retailer’s system matches to a product record in their own database.
GTIN-14 (Shipping Container Barcode): sometimes required by retailers to automate warehouse receiving. Separate from per-item UPC or EAN and available as an add-on service.
Do I Need a Barcode?
A barcode is generally required if you are selling through:
- Physical retail stores
- Online marketplaces such as Amazon, Walmart Marketplace, Etsy, or similar platforms
- Distributors or wholesalers
Each unique product variation — different size, color, or configuration — requires its own barcode.
Note: UPC and EAN barcodes are not applicable to items sold by variable weight (produce, bulk goods, meat), books (which use ISBN), or pharmaceuticals.
How Many Barcodes Do I Need?
One barcode per SKU (Stock Keeping Unit). An SKU represents a single, distinct product variation tracked individually in inventory. If you sell one product in one configuration, you need one barcode. If you sell across multiple variations, you need one per variation.
All product categories use the same barcode format: food, beverages, clothing, hardware, tools, nutraceuticals, music, car parts, and more.
Where Do Barcodes Come From?
GS1 is the international standards organization that issues barcode prefixes directly to companies. A GS1 membership provides your own unique company prefix, from which you generate your own barcode numbers. GS1 charges an initial fee plus annual renewal fees.
Barcode resellers such as Nationwide Barcode purchase large blocks of GS1-originated barcode numbers and sell subsets of those numbers to individual buyers. Reseller barcodes are sold outright — there are no annual fees and the numbers do not expire.
Nationwide Barcode owns a large number of GS1-originated prefixes. The individual UPC and EAN numbers sold from those prefixes have never been used and are guaranteed unique. Each order includes a Certificate of Authenticity and Transfer of Ownership for the numbers purchased.
Who Should Go Directly to GS1?
Whether you need a direct GS1 relationship depends on where you plan to sell. Approximately 90% of retailers do not require that a buyer hold their own GS1 prefix.
| Reseller Barcodes Accepted | GS1 Direct Relationship Required |
|---|---|
| Amazon (seller-fulfilled, non-EDI) | Walmart / Sam’s Club |
| Etsy | Kroger |
| Shopify | JCPenney |
| EBay | Macy’s / Bloomingdale’s |
| Most independent & regional retailers | Amazon EDI / Brand Registry (verify with Amazon) |
| Whole Foods*, Trader Joe’s*, Target* | Lowe’s, Home Depot, Walgreens, Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, Ace Hardware, Kmart, Sears* |
* Retailers marked with an asterisk may require a GS1 relationship depending on your national or regional scope and EDI requirements. Confirm with your buyer or category manager before purchasing.
Amazon note: If you are using Amazon’s EDI system or have registered your own brand in the Amazon Brand Registry, a direct GS1 relationship may be required. For standard seller-fulfilled listings without EDI, reseller barcodes are generally accepted. See: nationwidebarcode.com/purchase-barcodes/barcodes-for-amazon/
What Nationwide Barcode Provides
Each order includes:
- Unique UPC and/or EAN numbers — not reused or recycled, guaranteed pristine
- Digital delivery by email, typically within minutes of purchase — you receive a download link to a zip file containing all items listed below
- Excel spreadsheet listing all barcode numbers
- Barcode graphic files in EPS (scalable vector) and JPG (600 dpi), sized at 1.5″ × 1.0″ — scalable ±20% without affecting scannability
- Certificate of Authenticity and Transfer of Ownership
- Resource and support guide covering registration, label printing, retailer submission, and more
- Email support and access to post-sale instructional videos
There are no annual fees. Barcodes do not expire.
Barcode Size and Placement
The standard UPC-A barcode measures 1.5″ wide by 1.0″ tall at 100% scale. GS1 specifications allow scaling between 80% and 200% of nominal size, though most print suppliers recommend staying between 80% and 120% for reliable scanning. The graphics provided with your order can be scaled ±20% as a safe working range.
Quiet zone: Every barcode requires a clear, unprinted border. At minimum, leave a space equal to the width of 9 narrow bars on each side of the barcode and above and below it. Printing text, graphics, or color into the quiet zone will cause scanner failures.
For detailed specifications on barcode placement, color, and substrate requirements, see the Barcodes Demystified guide at nationwidebarcode.com/resources/barcodes-demystified2/
| UPC/EAN Quantity | Your Price | Total |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $12.00 | $12.00 |
| 5 | $4.00 | $20.00 |
| 10 | $2.80 | $28.00 |
| 25 | $1.80 | $45.00 |
| 50 | $1.26 | $63.00 |
| 100 | $0.80 | $80.00 |
| 250 | $0.76 | $190.00 |
| 500 | $0.46 | $230.00 |
| 1,000 | $0.32 | $320.00 |
| 2,500 | $0.24 | $600.00 |
| 5,000 | $0.16 | $800.00 |
| 10,000 | $0.10 | $1000.00 |
Step-by-Step: What to Do After You Receive Your Barcodes
Step 1 — Assign barcodes to products.
Match each barcode number to a specific SKU. Keep a permanent record of these assignments — you will reference them when submitting product data to retailers.
Step 2 — Add the barcode graphic to your packaging.
Provide the EPS or JPG file to your designer or print supplier. Follow the size and quiet zone guidelines above. If your packaging is already printed, apply barcode labels instead.
Step 3 — Submit product data to your retailers.
Retailers do not retrieve product information from a central database. You supply them with a product list that includes product name, description, and the assigned barcode number. Format requirements vary by retailer.
Step 4 — Optional: Register your barcodes.
There is no mandatory registration requirement. Nationwide Barcode operates UPCBarcodes.com, an optional registration service that documents your ownership and distributes product data to several search engines. See: nationwidebarcode.com/how-do-you-register-a-barcode/
How Barcodes Work at the Point of Sale
When a cashier scans a product, the scanner reads the barcode number and queries the store’s local inventory database. The system retrieves the product name and price, records the sale, and decrements the inventory count. All product data is stored at the retailer level — there is no centralized global product database.
Some retailers will ask you to add a GTIN-14 barcode to the outside shipping carton to automate warehouse receiving and inventory management. See: nationwidebarcode.com/other-services/shipping-container-barcodes/
Frequently Asked Questions
Will my barcode work at every store?
Reseller-issued barcodes work at the majority of retail locations. A small number of major retailers require a direct GS1 relationship. See the table above, and review: nationwidebarcode.com/will-my-barcode-work-at-every-store/
Do I need to register my barcode?
There is no mandatory registration requirement. You provide product data directly to each retailer. Optional registration through UPCBarcodes.com documents your ownership and adds your product to several search engine databases.
How are barcodes delivered?
After completing your purchase, you are directed to a download page and receive an email with a download link. The zip file contains your barcode numbers in an Excel spreadsheet, EPS and JPG graphic files, a Certificate of Authenticity, and a Resource and Support Guide. Delivery is typically within minutes.
What is the difference between a UPC and an EAN?
A UPC (GTIN-12) is 12 digits and is used in the United States and Canada. An EAN (GTIN-13) is 13 digits and is used internationally. EANs issued by a U.S.-based company start with a zero and are accepted worldwide. Most retailers and marketplaces accept both formats.
Do barcodes expire?
No. Barcode numbers purchased from Nationwide Barcode do not expire and carry no annual fees.
Will my barcode work on Amazon?
For most standard Amazon seller-fulfilled listings, reseller barcodes are accepted. If you are using Amazon’s EDI system or have a registered brand in the Amazon Brand Registry, different requirements may apply. See: nationwidebarcode.com/purchase-barcodes/barcodes-for-amazon/
Order Barcodes at nationwidebarcode.com/order-upcs/
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