Barcodes are essential for ensuring your products are ready for the retail market, enabling smooth transactions and efficient inventory management. This guide will walk you through the straightforward process of obtaining and implementing EAN-13 barcodes for your products in Australia. 

Securing barcodes for your products is essential for streamlining operations, improving inventory management, and ensuring that your products are retail-ready. In Australia, the most commonly used barcode type is the EAN-13, which is widely accepted by retailers both locally and internationally. The EAN-13 barcode is a 13-digit number that uniquely identifies your product and is necessary for tracking, sales, and distribution. This guide will take you through the process of obtaining EAN-13 barcodes for your products, making sure you're fully equipped to meet industry standards.

Step 1: Obtain Your Barcodes

The first step is to work out how many EAN-13 barcodes you need. You'll need a different barcode number for each different product and product variation. Each different colour and size of the same product will need it's own barcode number. Once you know how many barcodes you need, you can order them online from a reputable barcode sellers such as Barcodes Australia. You will receive an email containing your unique 13 digit Global Trade Item Numbers (GTINs) and the corresponding EAN-13 barcode images.

Step 2: Assign Barcodes to Your Products

After receiving your barcodes, the next step is to assign them to your products. Each GTIN corresponds to a specific product variant, such as different sizes or colors. It’s important to keep an accurate record of which GTIN has been assigned to each product, because this will directly impact your product’s identification and tracking capabilities in the supply chain.

Step 3: Print Your Barcodes on Your Packaging

Once you've assigned the barcodes, the next crucial step is to print them on your product packaging. This can be done either in-house or through a professional printing service. It's essential that the barcodes are printed clearly and in the correct size to ensure they can be easily scanned at the point of sale. The minimum recommended size for an EAN-13 barcode is approximately 30mm wide x 20mm high. Make sure you leave a 3mm blank space to the left and right sides of the barcode bars, and position the barcode in a flat and clearly visible location on the packaging.

Step 4: Provide Your Products to Retailers

The final step is to distribute your barcoded products to your retailers. When you provide your products, the retailers will enter the barcode number and product details into their system. This step is vital because it ensures that the next time the barcode is scanned, the correct product information will automatically appear on the retailer's screen. This integration enables efficient product management and seamless checkout processes, ultimately enhancing the customer experience and improving your product's visibility in the retail space.

Following these steps will ensure your products are retail-ready and seamlessly integrated into your retailers' systems. With your barcodes in place, you'll be well-positioned for success in the competitive Australian marketplace. To order barcodes or to find out more please visit Barcodes Australia.