How Do I Get a Barcode for My Product?
Getting a barcode takes about five minutes. Here’s exactly what happens, and what you’ll have at the end of it.
First: how many do you need?
One barcode per product variant. Not per product line, and not per unit you manufacture. Each version a customer can buy separately needs its own number.
If you sell one jar of jam in one size, that’s one barcode. If you sell it in 250ml and 500ml, that’s two. Three flavours in two sizes is six. A t-shirt in four sizes and three colours is twelve.
Your barcodes never expire, so you can use them whenever you’re ready. It’s common to buy a few spares for products you haven’t launched yet.
Step 1: Choose your package
Choose the package that covers the number of products you’re selling. Packages start at one barcode and get cheaper per barcode as quantity increases. See packages and prices.
Step 2: Complete your order
Credit Card or PayPal: Pay securely at checkout, and your barcodes will be emailed to you within minutes.
Bank transfer: Choose Direct Bank Transfer at checkout, then click Pay. Our banking details and your invoice are automatically emailed to you. We’ll release your barcodes as soon as the payment reaches us (Monday-Friday), usually within one business day of it clearing.
Step 3: Check your email
Once your payment is processed, your barcodes will be sent by email. You’ll receive:
- Your unique barcode number, supplied in both UPC-A and EAN-13 versions
- Print-ready images in 3 formats (PNG, PDF and SVG)
- A guarantee certificate confirming the number is registered to you
- Free registration on the International Barcodes Database
- A short guide to using your barcode
You get both UPC and EAN — same number, no extra cost.
UPC-A is the format retailers ask for in Canada and the US. EAN-13 is used across Europe and most of the rest of the world. They aren’t two different barcodes: it’s the same number, with a leading zero for the EAN-13 version.
Modern scanners read either version anywhere in the world. For packaging, most Canadian sellers use the UPC-A image; use EAN-13 if you’re selling mainly outside North America.
We supply both with every barcode, so you never have to choose up front, and you’re never caught out when a new market opens up.
Step 4: Put it on your packaging
Send the image file to your designer or printer (the SVG and PDF versions can be scaled without losing quality). Keep it at the standard size where you can, and leave clear white space around it so scanners can read it. Full size and print specifications.
Step 5: Give it to your retailer
When a retailer first receives your product, they scan the barcode and enter your product details into their system. From then on, your product name and price will appear automatically at checkout. Nothing further is needed from you.
Common Questions
Do I need a UPC or an EAN? Neither; you get both. It’s the same number in two formats and is included with every barcode.
Do I own the barcode? Yes. One payment, yours permanently. No renewals, no annual fees.
Will it work outside Canada? Yes. Our numbers come from the same original system as GS1 barcode numbers and are internationally recognised.
Do they expire? No.
Selling on Amazon? Amazon barcode requirements
Shipping cases to a retailer? You’ll likely need an ITF-14 carton barcode as well, generated from your retail number. Carton barcodes.
Ready to start? Buy barcodes. Delivered within minutes.