Getting a UPC number
A UPC-A barcode carries a 12-digit number licensed to your company by GS1 US (or GS1 Canada). You can buy a single GTIN for one product, or a company prefix for a range of products. That number is what retailers, Amazon and marketplaces check; the barcode image is just a way of printing it. Once you have the number, enter it here.
Avoid numbers sold by resellers that aren’t GS1. They may belong to another company in the GS1 database, and Amazon and major retailers reject listings when the brand doesn’t match.
UPC-A and EAN-13
A UPC-A number is an EAN-13 with a leading zero. 012345678905 as UPC-A is 0012345678905 as EAN-13. Tills around the world read both, so a UPC on your packaging works in Europe too. Print the format GS1 gave you; there is no need to print both.
Print size and placement
- Nominal size is 37.29 × 25.91 mm. The PDF downloads here place each bar unit at 0.33 mm, the 100 percent width; set Height to about 140 at the default bar width for the full bar height.
- Use dark bars on a white or light background. Avoid red bars, metallic inks and placing the barcode across a fold or seam.
- On cylindrical items like candles and bottles, run the bars vertically so they don’t wrap around the curve.
Questions
I only have 11 digits.
That is the number without its check digit. Enter the 11 digits and the 12th is calculated for you.
What about UPC-E, the short version?
UPC-E is a compressed form for very small packs and is not offered here. Most products can use UPC-A at a reduced size instead; see also EAN-13.