Barcodes & printing labels
Every item has a barcode type, set on the item form right next to SKU. It controls what your item’s SKU gets turned into when you print a barcode label — and whether the SKU has to follow a specific format.
Barcode types
Section titled “Barcode types”| Type | What it encodes | Use it for | SKU format |
|---|---|---|---|
| Code 128 (C128) | Any letters, numbers, symbols | Your own items — the default, works with any SKU | No restriction |
| Code 39 (C39) | Letters, numbers, a few symbols | Older scanners that don’t read Code 128 | No restriction |
| EAN-13 | 13 digits | Products with a manufacturer barcode already on the box (Europe/Africa/Asia) | Exactly 13 digits |
| EAN-8 | 8 digits | Same as EAN-13, for packaging too small for the full code | Exactly 8 digits |
| UPC-A | 12 digits | Manufacturer barcode, US/Canada region | Exactly 12 digits |
| UPC-E | 6–8 digits | Compressed UPC, small US packaging | 6–8 digits |
The rule of thumb: if you’re pricing/repacking the item yourself and inventing the SKU, leave it on Code 128 — any SKU works. Only switch to EAN/UPC when you’re reprinting a barcode that has to match a code the manufacturer already put on the product; if the SKU doesn’t fit that format (e.g. not exactly 13 digits for EAN-13), the label can’t be generated and you’ll see a validation error when saving the item or printing labels.
Label sheet presets
Section titled “Label sheet presets”Catalog → Settings → Label sheet presets stores the physical layout of the sheets or rolls you print onto — label size, sheet size, margins, and how many labels fit per row/sheet. A few common Avery sheet sizes and thermal-roll sizes are pre-loaded; add your own if your label stock doesn’t match one of those.
Continuous roll presets (thermal barcode printers) don’t use a sheet height or a fixed count per sheet — they just repeat down the roll.
Printing labels
Section titled “Printing labels”Catalog → Print labels — search for a product (and variant, if it has any), set a quantity, pick a label sheet preset, and choose which fields to show (product name, price, business name, variation). Printing opens your browser’s print dialog with a grid of labels sized to match the chosen preset.