Get your product numbers
For GS1 barcodes, obtain the appropriate company identification and product numbers through GS1 UK.
Barcode guide for UK businesses
What Barcode Do I Need?
Not sure whether you need an EAN-13, UPC, GTIN, GS1-128, ITF-14 or an Amazon product identifier? This guide explains the main barcode types, what they are used for and what to consider before printing barcode labels for retail, ecommerce, warehousing and logistics.
✓ Retail and ecommerce barcodes
✓ Amazon-ready product identification
✓ Barcode labels and roll labels
✓ UK label printing support
Start here
Getting your products ready for barcodes
Barcodes are used by retailers, ecommerce platforms, warehouses and logistics operations to identify products and move information quickly through scanning systems.
For retail products, businesses will usually need globally recognised product identification numbers. These numbers are commonly issued through GS1 and are then represented in a suitable barcode format such as EAN-13, UPC-A, GS1-128 or ITF-14 depending on the application.
Go2Products can help with the physical barcode labels themselves, including printed sheet labels, roll labels, swing tags and labels intended for later thermal transfer overprinting.
Before you print
Five steps to getting barcode labels right
Choose the barcode type
Select the barcode format that suits the sales channel, product or logistics application.
Allow enough space
Barcodes need sufficient size, contrast and quiet space around them so scanners can read them reliably.
Choose the right label
Match the label size, material and adhesive to the product surface and environment.
Test before full production
Check real printed samples with the intended scanner, packaging and application before committing to a large run.
Barcode types explained
Which barcode should you use?
Different barcode formats are designed for different jobs. The correct choice depends on where the code will be scanned and what information needs to be represented.
EAN-13
Commonly used on retail products in the UK and many other markets. EAN-13 represents a 13-digit GTIN and is designed for scanning at retail point-of-sale systems.
Typical use: retail packagingUPC-A
A 12-digit retail barcode widely associated with products sold in the United States and Canada.
Typical use: retail productsGTIN
GTIN means Global Trade Item Number. It is the identification number represented by retail and logistics barcode formats rather than a single barcode design itself.
Typical use: identifying trade itemsGS1-128
Useful where a barcode needs to carry additional structured information such as batch numbers, dates, serial numbers or logistics data.
Typical use: supply chain and logisticsITF-14
Commonly used to identify cartons or outer cases containing trade items where the barcode is scanned within distribution and logistics environments.
Typical use: cases and shipping cartonsASIN
ASIN means Amazon Standard Identification Number. It is an Amazon catalogue identifier rather than a GS1 barcode format.
Typical use: Amazon catalogue listings
Quick selection guide
Match the barcode to the job
Retail till scanning
Usually EAN-13 in the UK, or UPC-A where appropriate.
Batch, expiry or serial information
GS1-128 may be suitable when structured variable data needs to be encoded.
Amazon product listings
Amazon may require recognised product identifiers depending on the product and listing route.
Outer cases and cartons
ITF-14 is commonly used for logistics units and outer packaging.
GTIN explained
What is a GTIN?
GTIN stands for Global Trade Item Number. It is a globally recognised identifier used to identify trade items such as products, packs and cases.
GTINs can have different lengths depending on the application. Common examples include GTIN-12, GTIN-13 and GTIN-14. UPC and EAN barcode symbols can be used to represent certain GTIN formats.
Important:
The barcode image and the identification number are related but are not the same thing.
The GTIN is the number; EAN, UPC and other symbologies are ways of encoding numbers into a scannable barcode.
Retail barcode
What is an EAN-13 barcode?
EAN-13 is one of the most familiar retail barcode formats in the UK. It represents a 13-digit GTIN and is designed for fast scanning at retail checkouts and other product identification points.
The exact number structure is assigned according to GS1 rules. Businesses should not create random EAN numbers for products that require globally unique identification.
Print quality matters. Poor contrast, distortion, insufficient quiet zones or printing the code too small can make an otherwise valid barcode difficult to scan.
Selling online
Barcodes for Amazon UK
Amazon uses product identifiers to help match listings to products in its catalogue. Depending on the product, brand and category, sellers may be asked for identifiers such as GTINs represented by EAN or UPC barcodes. Amazon then uses its own ASIN identifier within the marketplace.
Barcode print quality
A correct number still needs a barcode that scans reliably
Contrast
Dark bars on a light background generally provide the strongest scanner contrast.
Quiet zones
Leave clear space around the code. Artwork or text too close to the barcode can affect scanning.
Size
Avoid squeezing or distorting the barcode to force it into unsuitable artwork.
Surface
Very curved, reflective or textured surfaces can influence scan performance and label placement.
Print method
Use a printing method capable of producing sharp, consistent bars and clear human-readable numbers.
Testing
Where barcode performance is critical, test the finished printed label in the real application.
Barcode label options
Need the barcode printed onto labels or tags?
Once you have the correct barcode data, we can help turn it into a practical label or tag for your product, packaging or logistics process.
Custom printed
Barcode Swing Tags
Printed tags for products, retail identification and variable barcode applications.
View swing tags
Made to order
Barcode Roll Labels
Custom printed barcode labels supplied on rolls for manual or machine application.
Request a quote
Printed on sheets
QR Code and Barcode Labels
Custom printed QR and barcode labels for products, packaging, promotions and information.
View QR code stickers
Already have your barcode numbers?
We can help with the labels.
Send us your barcode data, label size, quantity and application. We can help with printed barcode labels, roll labels, sheet labels, tags and variable-data projects.
Frequently asked questions
Barcode FAQs
What barcode do I need for a product sold in UK retail?+
EAN-13 is commonly used for retail products in the UK. The barcode normally represents a GTIN issued within the GS1 system. Requirements can vary by retailer and product, so check the requirements of your sales channel.
What is the difference between a GTIN and a barcode?+
A GTIN is the identification number assigned to a trade item. A barcode such as EAN-13 or UPC-A is a machine-readable way of representing an identification number.
What is an EAN-13 barcode?+
EAN-13 is a retail barcode format representing a 13-digit GTIN. It is widely used for product identification and point-of-sale scanning in the UK and internationally.
Do I need GS1 for Amazon UK?+
Amazon commonly uses recognised product identifiers such as GTINs for catalogue listings, although requirements vary by category, brand and listing type. Check the current Amazon requirements for your specific product.
What is an ASIN?+
ASIN stands for Amazon Standard Identification Number. It is Amazon's own catalogue identifier and is separate from barcode formats such as EAN or UPC.
What barcode can include batch numbers or expiry dates?+
GS1-128 can encode structured information such as batch numbers, dates, serial numbers and other supply-chain data using GS1 Application Identifiers.
What is an ITF-14 barcode used for?+
ITF-14 is commonly used for outer cases and cartons within warehousing and logistics rather than for scanning an individual retail item at a checkout.
Can Go2Products print barcode labels for me?+
Yes. We can produce custom printed barcode labels, roll labels, sheet labels, QR code labels and swing tags. We can also help with variable and sequential data projects.
Can you print different barcodes on every label?+
Yes. Variable-data printing can be used where each label needs a different barcode, serial number, code or other changing information. Send us the data and requirements for a quote.
Barcode label printing
Have the numbers but need the labels?
Talk to Go2Products about barcode roll labels, sheet labels, swing tags, QR codes and variable-data printing.