Barcode Print Checklist for Retail Products

Work through and fill out this checklist for your product and print run. You can save the document as a PDF and attach it to your packaging specs or share with your printer.

📥 Download Barcode Print Checklist PDF

1. Barcode number & symbology

• Confirm you are using a valid GTIN issued via a reputable barcode supplier (Member of International Barcode Network) so you know the number is legal and that you own the number.
• Select correct symbology for retail Point-of-Sale (POS) use. For consumer-items scanned at POS, linear barcodes like EAN-13, UPC-A, or GS1 DataBar must be used.
• If using or transitioning to a 2D barcode (e.g., QR Code with GS1 Digital Link, GS1 DataMatrix) ensure dual-marking guidance is followed (linear + 2D) until 2D POS scanning is universal.
• Human-Readable Interpretation (HRI) (the numbers below the barcode) present, correctly formatted, clear, and not overlapping the barcode.

2. Size, dimensions & proportion

• Confirm the barcode is printed at or above the minimum size for the symbology and application (POS scanning). Check the requirements for product and carton codes. Bigger barcodes generally scan more reliably. If you have space, go above the minimum 80% size (approx 30x20mm). Note, the maximum size is 200%.
• For small items, ensure the barcode is still readable; reduce only with caution. Ensure high quality print.
• For 2D barcodes: ensure the symbol size respects minimum x-dimension and quiet zones. For products that are too small for a 2D barcode, a smaller DataMatrix may be accepted by retailers.

3. Quiet zones & clear space

• There is a clear quiet zone (no artwork, text, graphics) immediately before the first bar and after the last bar (for linear), or around the symbol (for 2D). The quiet zone is crucial. Otherwise, the barcode or QR code may not scan.
• Allow slightly more than the minimum quiet zone recommended (to allow for ink spread, mis-registration).
• On a retail trade item for POS: Ensure barcode is not too close to the edge of the packaging. The official recommendation is not closer than approx. 8 mm from nearest edge.

4. Contrast & Colour

• Use high contrast: dark bars on a light background (preferably black bars on white background). Avoid light bars on a dark background.
• Avoid printing on reflective metallic or high gloss surfaces (risk of reflection interfering with scanning). On silver or metallic backgrounds, consider a white block behind the barcode to ensure contrast.

• Avoid transparent or semi-transparent backgrounds, or over-wrappers that may interfere with scanning.

5. Substrate & Print Method

• Choose a suitable substrate (packaging material) that allows crisp printing and good contrast. Craft paper can absorb the ink into the white spaces (ink spread).
• Avoid very curved, highly textured, or unstable surfaces that cause distortion.
• Consider the print process: e.g., digital, flexo, offset, thermal transfer. Ensure the process can maintain the required x-dimension, bar widths, spacing, and quiet zones.
• Check for ink spread, dot gain, smudging, alignment issues—any of these degrade barcode readability.
• Ensure any varnish/over-coat or laminate over the barcode area does not distort or obscure the symbol.

6. Placement, Orientation & Packaging considerations

• Ensure the barcode is placed in a consistent, flat area of the packaging ideally on the back of the item (not on the lid or curved surface). Industry standards prefer placement in lower right quadrant of the back of packaging.
• Avoid placing the barcode too close to an edge, seams or fold because items are often grabbed by edges at checkout (at least 8 mm from edge).

• Orientation: For linear barcodes the “picket fence” orientation (bars vertical when the item stands normally) is preferred. For curved surfaces where picket-fence isn’t possible, ladder orientation may be used.

• For dual-marked items (linear + 2D) the 2D barcode (including its quiet zone) should be placed within a 50 mm radius of the linear barcode centre to ensure the scanning system perceives them as the same trade item.

• Ensure barcode is not positioned where packaging may bulge or distort (e.g., bags filled with powder, blister packs) so the scanning surface is flat and intact.

7. Space savers / small packaging / multiples

• If packaging is very small (e.g., lipstick, small sachet) check if the minimum barcode size still allows reliable scanning – if not, consider larger packaging, alternative packaging, or placement on multipack/outer.
• For multipacks, over-wrappers or banded items: ensure only one barcode with the correct GTIN is active for POS; inner units’ barcodes may need to be obscured if they carry a different GTIN.
• If placing multiple barcodes (e.g., inner and outer pack, different GTINs) ensure their placement does not lead to multiple beeps or confusion at POS (one beep per item).
  

8. 2D barcode considerations (if used)

• After printing, test scanning across different POS scanners (fixed, hand-held) under typical retail lighting, checkout speed conditions.
• Consider using a barcode verifier service to validate symbol meets quality grades and industry standards especially if you want to supply to major FMCG supermarket chains.
• Check that barcodes print cleanly, no blurred bars/spaces, no ink smudges, no hairlines, no broken zones.
• Verify that the human readable number matches the encoded number.
• On packaging proofs, ensure barcode remains scannable after final packaging wrap, labels, shrink-wrap, etc.

9. Testing & verification