How to Create Standard Product Barcode Labels for Retail and E-Commerce

A product label has to satisfy the receiving process as well as identify the item to a person. An internal SKU, a retail GTIN and a marketplace identifier serve different purposes. Decide which one the destination expects before choosing a barcode.

Separate internal and retail identifiers

For an internal store reference such as DEMO-BLUE-M, a Code 128 symbol can encode that exact value. It will work only if the receiving system has a matching item record and accepts the format. It is not automatically a retail identifier that another business will recognise.

For a retailer requiring EAN-13 or UPC-A, use the correctly assigned identifier and accepted symbol. UDImaker does not issue GTINs or generate EAN/UPC symbols natively. Prepare that symbol with an appropriate tool and import its artwork without stretching or cropping it.

Build a sample product layout

1. Set an example label to 80 × 40 mm, then adjust it to the actual stock.
2. Add “Demo shirt”, the colour and size as readable text.
3. Place the required barcode in its own clear area with its readable value.
4. Add an internal SKU only if it helps the workflow, and distinguish it clearly from the retail identifier.
5. Reserve space for product-specific information required in the destination market.

This example is a layout exercise. It does not establish which declarations, language, quantity, manufacturer information or warnings your product legally needs. Those requirements vary by product and market.

Check variants and packaging levels

Compare the approved product record with the label, especially where size, colour, pack quantity or packaging level changes. A visually similar package can represent a different trade item. Do not reuse a barcode simply because the previous artwork already fits the same label stock.

Keep the human-readable number with the original symbol artwork and avoid manually typing a contradictory second value. Verify leading zeros when moving identifiers between spreadsheets, image tools and the receiving system.

Test the actual route

Decode the exported symbol to compare its value. Print on the actual stock at 100%, apply it to the package and scan it using the intended receiving hardware. Confirm that the correct item and variant appear in the destination system.

If the symbol reads but the item is missing, inspect the product record and partner onboarding rather than changing the barcode image. Save the reviewed artwork and editable JSON together, and record the partner requirement used for approval. The barcode selection guide helps distinguish the common carriers.