From everyday products to food and medications, to patient wristbands in hospitals, barcodes have underlined their presence. Barcodes and barcode scanners have become indispensable instruments in today’s globalized economy since their introduction in supermarkets in the 1970s. Multiple industries use barcodes to streamline operations and improve data accuracy not just retail shelves and supplier warehouses.
Learning how barcodes operate and how to generate barcodes for products in India can be quite difficult when starting a new business.
In this article, we will learn more about this, including what barcodes are, how they differ, how to receive barcodes, what documents are required for barcode registration and more.
What exactly is a barcode and how do they work?
A barcode is a pattern of parallel black and white stripes that a barcode scanner can read. Different text characters are represented by these black and white bars (also known as elements) that follow a barcode’s predetermined algorithm. When scanned using a barcode scanner, this pattern is turned into a test line that the retail point of sale system recognizes.
Classification of barcodes as per GS1 standards in India:
Before you navigate how to generate barcodes for products in India, it is important to understand the various types of GS1 barcodes
Different applications necessitate different barcodes that can contain different amounts of data. As a result, GS1 establishes standards for usage with several sorts of barcode symbols in order to meet a variety of needs. The following are the several types of GS1 barcodes:
- GS1 EAN/UPC Family: The GS1 EAN/UPC family of barcodes are commonly utilized and instantly identifiable barcodes found on almost every consumer goods on the planet.
- GS1 DataBar Family: Fresh items are frequently labelled with DataBar barcodes that store data such as an item’s batch number/expiration date as well as other attributes required at the point of sale, such as the item’s weight.
- 1D GS1 Barcodes: The GS1-128 and ITF-14 1D barcodes are extremely adaptable and allow things to be tracked throughout worldwide supply chains. Any of the GS1 ID keys as well as serial numbers, expiration dates and other data, can be carried by the GS1-128 barcode. Only the Global Trade Item Number (GTIN) can be stored in the ITF-14 barcode, which can be printed on corrugated materials.
- 2D GS1 Barcodes: Two-dimensional (2D) barcodes resemble squares or rectangles with a large number of tiny dots. A single 2D barcode can store a significant amount of data and remain legible even when printed in low volumes or etched onto a gadget. Manufacturing, warehousing, shipping and healthcare are just a few of the businesses that use 2D barcodes.
Aside from being an increasingly profitable and time-saving solution, barcode registration can be a crucial and practical decision for enterprises in terms of enhancing proficiency and promoting transparency. However, for all organisations, figuring out where to begin may be a difficult task. Join Coffeemug today to be connected to members who can assist you with the technical aspects of obtaining barcodes for your products.
How to Generate Barcode for Products in India?
If you’re wondering how to generate a barcode for personal care in India, or for any product for that matter, follow these simple steps by visiting the GS1 website:
- Complete the application.
- Submit all relevant papers.
- Select the type and quantity of barcodes required.
- Confirm all details.
- Pay the required fees.
- Monitor the progress.
Barcode registration documents
- Company PAN card/PAN card of the proprietor for a sole proprietorship.
- One copy of the balance sheet that has been audited.
- A request for barcode allocation on company letterhead.
- Any proof of the applicant company’s status, such as GST registration certificate for sole proprietorships.
- For partnership firms, a GST registration certificate or a partnership deed is required.
- For a private or public limited company, a GST registration certificate, ROC certificate or MOA (Memorandum of Association) is required.
- For other entities such as HUFs, Registered Societies and so on, a copy of the GST registration certificate or the Registrar of Society (ROS) certificate is required.
- A copy of the company’s cancelled cheque.
Barcode Registration Fees
The following 3 factors influence the cost of barcode registration:
- The business’s turnover
- Required number of barcodes
- Subscription period
The fees vary from Rs. 44,000 to Rs. 2,20,000 depending on all of these criteria.
Benefits of using barcodes
The primary aim of barcode research and development was to accelerate the sales process. Aside from that, there are several other benefits available to businesses:
- Eliminates human error.
- Minimizes staff training time.
- Can be designed and printed at a low cost.
- Barcodes are extremely versatile and can be used for any type of data capture.
- Improves inventory control.
- Rapid data access.
- Improves decision-making.
- Data can be customized to contain other relevant information.
- Barcode registration is an eco-friendly approach.
- Enhances real-time visibility.
Conclusion
Wondering how to generate barcodes for personal care in India? Join Coffeemug to network with point-of-sale (POS) experts who can help you easily integrate barcode management with your products. Every startup, particularly those focused on selling goods and products are becoming increasingly responsible for guaranteeing that the things they sell are authentic. To manage the product identification process, having unique barcodes is recommended by the industry experts.
FAQs
Q. Are barcodes unique to stores?
A. No, unlike SKUs, which are unique to each store, barcodes are not store-specific. Barcodes are universal and can be found in a variety of establishments.
Q. What do the numbers on a barcode represent?
A. A 1D barcode’s numbers beneath the vertical lines or bars, reflect a uniquely allocated item number. The visual depiction of the number is the barcode.
Q. How many barcodes should I order?
A. An EAN/UPC number is required for each unique item you wish to sell. If you want to offer a piece of apparel in several distinct colour schemes and sizes, you’ll need a new barcode number for each variant.
Q. Is it possible to copy barcodes?
A. Unless you’re conducting a second run or batch of an already barcoded product, reusing barcodes is a complete no.