Frequently Asked Questions

The numbers represented by a barcode identify a product, item, or record in the system using it. When the barcode is scanned, a point-of-sale, inventory, or operational system can use that identifier to retrieve stored information such as description, price, inventory status, or other relevant data.

Barcodes help reduce manual entry, speed up routine tasks, and support more accurate product and inventory tracking.

Barcodes are created by encoding an identifier or other data into a scannable symbol. Depending on the barcode type, that symbol may use vertical bars, a two-dimensional pattern or another machine-readable format.

Businesses commonly generate barcodes through barcode software, label design software, inventory systems or point-of-sale platforms, then print them on labels, packaging, shelf tags or documents using compatible equipment.

Barcodes are commonly used to identify a product, product variation, package, location or another defined record. A product barcode does not necessarily identify each individual physical unit unless the workflow also uses serialization or another unique identifier.

Choosing the correct identification structure helps systems distinguish products, variants, packaging formats and, where required, individual serialized items.

Barcode numbers should be managed according to the identification standard and business system in use. Reassigning an existing identifier to a different product can create confusion in inventory, point-of-sale, reporting and traceability records.

When a new product or materially different item requires a new identity, the safer approach is to assign the appropriate new code rather than reuse an identifier that is already associated with another record.

A 2D barcode stores information in two dimensions rather than only in a traditional line-based pattern. QR Code is one common type of 2D barcode, but it is not the only one.

2D codes can carry more data than many traditional 1D barcodes and may be scanned by compatible smartphones, tablets, barcode scanners and mobile computers. They are used for product information, traceability, instructions, links and operational workflows.

Direct thermal printing uses heat-sensitive label material. The printer applies heat directly to the label to create the image, so no ribbon is required. It is commonly used for shipping, food-preparation and other short- to medium-life labels.

Thermal transfer printing uses a ribbon to transfer the printed image onto the label surface. It is often better suited to applications that need greater durability or resistance to heat, moisture, chemicals or abrasion.

Thermal label printers are designed specifically for producing labels quickly and consistently. They are widely used for barcode, shipping, product, food, shelf and inventory labels.

Compared with general office printers, purpose-built thermal printers can simplify label workflows, reduce unnecessary media handling and support desktop, industrial, mobile and specialized operational environments.

A desktop thermal printer is generally suited to lower-volume labeling, office environments, retail counters, smaller warehouses and everyday label production.

An industrial printer is better suited to higher-volume operations, demanding environments, larger media rolls and longer print runs. The right choice depends on print volume, label size, speed, media, connectivity and the working environment.

Mobile thermal printers allow teams to produce labels where the work takes place. They can support warehouse, retail, hospitality, field, inventory and delivery workflows.

Printing at the point of activity can reduce unnecessary walking, support faster task completion and help teams create the correct label when and where it is needed.

Color-on-demand printing allows businesses to produce full-color labels as required rather than holding large inventories of pre-printed designs.

This can provide greater flexibility for product labels, private-label products, seasonal packaging, short runs, and applications where designs, promotions, compliance information, or product details may change.

The most suitable adhesive depends on the label material, the surface it will be applied to, temperature, moisture, handling conditions and how long the label needs to remain attached.

Permanent, removable and specialist adhesives each suit different applications. Cold storage, freezer use, curved or textured surfaces, wet environments and food-service workflows may require specific materials.

Where performance is important, test the label on the real surface and under actual operating conditions before full deployment.

Linerless labeling uses label media without a traditional backing liner. The roll is designed to dispense labels without the separate release liner that would normally be discarded.

In suitable applications, linerless media can reduce backing waste, increase usable roll capacity and support efficient food-service, retail, logistics and mobile-printing workflows.

Custom barcodes can be useful when standard product identifiers do not provide everything required by an internal workflow. They may be used to identify batches, locations, expiry dates, serial numbers, prepared food items, assets or operational steps.

A well-planned barcode structure can improve accuracy and support inventory, traceability, receiving, fulfillment and other business processes.

Barcodes can make checkout faster and more accurate by allowing staff to scan items instead of entering product information manually. The point-of-sale system can use the scanned identifier to retrieve the relevant product and pricing record.

When systems are integrated appropriately, each transaction can also support more accurate inventory records and operational reporting.

A price-embedded barcode carries variable pricing or weight-related information within the barcode data. These formats are commonly associated with variable-measure items such as fresh food, deli products, produce, meat, seafood or prepared items.

At checkout, a compatible point-of-sale system can interpret the encoded information and apply the corresponding product, weight or price data.

A mobile computer is a handheld device used to capture, process and transmit data while employees are away from a fixed workstation. Business applications include inventory management, barcode scanning, receiving, picking, shipping, delivery, asset tracking and retail operations.

By combining scanning, data entry, wireless connectivity and mobile hardware, these devices can help teams work more efficiently and keep operational information available at the point of activity.