UPC Bar Codes and QR Codes
A barcode is a one-of-a-kind code composed of numbers, along with a specific pattern of stripes that represents a particular product. These codes are designed to be scanned by optical readers, just like the ones you see at checkout counters in retail stores. But since the lines correspond to a list of numbers, it’s easy to lookup any product with a barcode simply by matching those numbers to an entry in a database.
The most use are
UPC
UNIVERSAL PRODUCT CODE
UPC barcodes are Universal Product Codes that are used in Canada and the US to convey prices to electronic registers, but are also used to help manage inventory and traceability.
EAN
INTERNATIONAL ARTICLE NUMBER
Merchants in Europe and other areas around the world often use a barcode type known as an International Article Number (EAN, since it was formerly known as European Article Number).
ISBN
INTERNATIONAL STANDARD BOOK NUMBER
Books often use the International Standard Book Number (ISBN) barcode format, which is compatible with EAN barcodes.
A common mistake companies make is creating their own UPC numbers. A company can not “make up” its own UPC number.
The first six to nine digits of a UPC are referred to as the “Company Prefix”, and they are assigned by a non-profit organization (GS1). This number uniquely identifies a company and always remains constant on all of a company’s products. The next set of digits is called the “product numbers.” Product numbers uniquely identify individual items.
A UPC barcode can be scanned to provide product information to the reseller or even to different departments within the organization. A scanning device is able to gather data from the varying widths of the bars compared to the widths of blank spaces between them. Barcode software is installed on a computer or a mobile device to obtain the required details.
Capella Innovation can help you acquire a unique product number, choose the right design for all of your food products, decide the appropriate place and the right side on your packaging.