How to Implement UPC Bar Codes
Has a vendor asked you to implement UPC bar codes and you don't know where to begin?
First, you need to understand the difference between a UPC bar code and other bar codes.
 Most people are familiar with UPC bar codes from seeing them at retail stores, where they are present on most products. This familiar bar code is a UPC-A code.
A bar code is only a UPC code if it includes the unique company prefix that is assigned to you by GS1. In other words, if you were told that you need to print UPC codes, you are expected to be printing bar codes that include a membership code (company prefix) assigned to you by GS1 (formerly the UCC Council), otherwise you would have been asked to print a different type of bar code. Using a unique company prefix that is assigned by GS1 allows the vendor to identify each supplier.
So, before printing UPC bar codes, your company will need to become a member of GS1. When you become a member of GS1 Partner Connections you'll be assigned a membership number to use as your company prefix. This prefix will have anywhere from 6-10 digits, depending on the number of products you'll be coding.You'll need this unique company prefix to create your own UPC bar codes.
The UPC-A bar code consists of 12 digits, which are known as the GTIN - Global Trade Item Number. The GTIN includes your Company Prefix, a unique "Item Reference Number" and a check digit. You can select any number to use as the Item Reference Number (from 1-5 digits) that add up to 11 digits when added to the prefix. A unique reference number should be assigned to each product so they can be easily identified. The last number in the UPC-A bar code is a check digit, which is calculated based on the previous 11 digits. The check digit fis calculated by your barcoding software.
For Additional Information about UPC Bar Codes
Membership with the GS1 gives you the ability to place a UPC Bar Code Symbol on your product and distribute it into the marketplace. If you have questions, the GS1 US Customer Service Team can be reached Mon.- Fri. from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM EST by phone 937.435.3870, fax 937.435.7317 or email info@gs1us.org. |
