How to Get Real Retail Barcodes (GS1 Numbers)
Anyone can draw an EAN-13 barcode, including with our generator. What a retailer actually cares about is the number inside it. That number must be issued to your company, so it can be traced back to you.
Who issues barcode numbers
GS1 is the non-profit organisation that manages the system behind EAN, UPC and ITF-14 numbers. It operates through national offices, such as GS1 India, GS1 UK and GS1 US.
When you join, you receive a company prefix. You then create a number for each product variant from that prefix and register the product details in GS1’s database.
What it costs
Fees depend on the country and on how many numbers you need, usually a joining fee plus an annual fee. Check your national GS1 office for current prices; small businesses often qualify for a lower tier.
Why not buy cheap barcodes online?
Some websites resell numbers from old company prefixes. Those numbers are registered to the original company, not to you. Major retailers and marketplaces increasingly check numbers against the GS1 database and may reject your listing.
Do I need GS1 for every barcode?
| Barcode use | GS1 number needed? |
|---|---|
| Products sold in shops or big marketplaces | Yes |
| Cartons sent to retailers (ITF-14 / GS1-128) | Yes |
| Books | No — use an ISBN from your ISBN agency |
| Internal stock codes, asset tags | No — use Code 128 with your own codes |
| Event tickets, membership cards | No |
After you have your numbers
- Give each variant its own number: size, color and pack count all count as different products.
- Never reuse a number for a different product.
- Create the barcode at 100% size and check the print with a scanner before mass production.