Lyla Lindsey
If you are looking to apply barcodes in Australia, there are a few things you need to know. Firstly, if you are in the retail industry, you will need a licensed barcode number using the EAN (or UPC) symbology. The standards body for Australia is GS1, and they will provide you with a set of licensed numbers. You will need one barcode for every product you sell, and major retailers like Woolworths, Coles, and Super Retail Group mandate barcodes from a standards body. You can also register your barcode on the International Barcodes Database, which is optional but beneficial as it allows your products to be easily searched and found online. Additionally, you should be aware of barcode dimensions and ensure your barcodes are not made too small or resized incorrectly, as this may affect their ability to be scanned.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Retail barcodes | Licensed barcode number using EAN or UPC symbology |
| Barcode standards body for Australia | GS1 |
| Barcode registration | Optional, but recommended for product search visibility |
| Barcode artwork format | EPS format recommended for best print results |
| Barcode colour | Black bars on a white background is standard, but other colours can be used with good contrast |
| Barcode placement | Lower right quadrant on the rear of packaging, but check with retailers |
| Barcode size | Refer to GS1 website to avoid affecting scannability |
| Barcode package | Software, scanners, labels or printers |
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What You'll Learn
Barcode formats and standards
Barcodes are an essential component of product packaging, enabling retailers to track inventory and perform price scans at the point of sale. In Australia, the most prevalent barcode format for retail sales is the EAN-13, also known as the UPC-A format. This 13-digit barcode is widely recognised and accepted internationally, including in Australia, the UK, Europe, Asia, and the Americas.
The EAN-13 barcode is distinguished by its 13-digit structure, with the first 9 digits representing the registrar and company number, followed by 3 digits indicating the item reference. It is important to note that each product variation, such as different package sizes or flavours, requires a unique barcode. This ensures effective inventory management and tracking.
To obtain an EAN-13 barcode in Australia, you can become a member of GS1 Australia, the country's standards body for barcodes. GS1 provides licensed barcode numbers and offers additional services such as barcode check, photography, and product catalogue management. They also provide training and resources to ensure compliance with barcode standards and optimise scanning accuracy.
It is crucial to adhere to barcode standards and guidelines to avoid issues with retailers. Major retailers in Australia often require barcodes from a standards body and may have specific requirements, such as a unique company prefix available through GS1. Additionally, the colour and placement of your barcode are important considerations. Black bars on a white background are standard, providing good contrast for scanning. However, other colour combinations can be used as long as there is sufficient distinction between the bars and spaces. The recommended placement is on the lower right quadrant on the rear of the packaging, ensuring clear space on both sides for optimal scanning.
While barcode registration is not mandatory, it offers several benefits. Registering your barcode on the International Barcodes Database allows your product details to be easily accessible through barcode searches. This enhances the visibility of your product and simplifies the process of obtaining product information.
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Getting a barcode number
If you are in retail in Australia, you will need a licensed barcode number using the EAN (European Article Number) or UPC (Universal Product Code) symbology. The standards body for Australia is GS1, and they will license you with a set of numbers to use on your retail products. You can contact them through their website or by phone.
There are other organisations that resell barcodes, such as Australian Barcodes and Oz Barcodes, but be aware that major Australian retailers like Woolworths, Coles, and Super Retail Group will not accept them and mandate barcodes from a standards body. Oz Barcodes offers barcodes at a one-off cost, starting at $32.95 for a single code, and provides high-resolution barcode images in EPS, JPEG, and TIFF formats.
If you already have a barcode number, you can register it on the International Barcodes Database, which will give customers your product information on the internet. You can also register your barcodes with GS1 Australia, which is a not-for-profit organisation that helps businesses to identify, capture, and share information about their products.
If you are not in retail, you do not need to purchase licensed numbers and are free to use any symbology except EAN and UPC codes. You will need one barcode for every product.
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Barcode registration
If you are in retail in Australia, you will need a licensed barcode number using the EAN (or UPC) symbology. The standards body for Australia is GS1 – they will license you with a set of numbers. You will need one barcode for every product – in retail, since barcodes are used to track inventory, this means one barcode for each ‘instance’ of a product. For example, if you sell juice in 4 flavours and 3 different package sizes, you will need 12 separate barcodes.
GS1 Australia offers annual membership, which includes member pricing on all GS1 Australia services, including Barcode Check, Photography, National Product Catalogue, Recall, National Location Registry, and more. You can also download manual forms to join GS1 Australia if you don't want to join online.
If you purchase an EAN or UPC barcode package or barcode number from a company, registration is usually included. However, if you have purchased your barcode from a different company, you will need to buy registration separately. To register your barcode, you will need to provide proof of barcode ownership, after which you will receive instructions on how to register your barcode number.
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Barcode artwork and printing
The size of the barcode is important, and it must be able to be scanned. If the barcode is too small or resized incorrectly, it may not work. The GS1 website provides information on the correct dimensions. The GS1 system is used by companies to automate and streamline external business processes. It is also worth noting that major Australian retailers like Woolworths, Coles, and Super Retail Group will not accept barcodes from resellers and mandate barcodes from a standards body like GS1.
The artwork and printing process can be done using a variety of methods, including thermal transfer, direct thermal, and thermal printing. The choice of method depends on the specific requirements, such as the life of the label, the type of adhesive backing, and the finish. For instance, lamination can be used to protect the barcode from scuffing, oils, and dirt.
It is important to use the correct type of thermal ribbons to ensure high-quality label printing. These ribbons come in different colours and widths to suit various thermal printer brands. Wax ribbons are suitable for high-speed printing, while resin is more durable and can withstand chemicals and harsh wear.
Some companies offer additional services, such as barcode registration, which means that the barcode number and product details will be registered on the International Barcodes Database. This is not compulsory but has several benefits, including increased visibility for your product.
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Barcode placement
The recommended placement for your barcode is on the lower right quadrant on the rear of your packaging. However, some retailers may require you to place the barcode in multiple locations, so it is important to check with them beforehand. You should also consider your packaging type and processes, especially packaging seams and print registration.
The GS1 system, used by companies to automate and streamline external business processes, recommends that barcodes are used between 80% and 200% size. They also advise maintaining clear space on the left and right of your barcode to optimise scanning. Obtaining your barcode from a reputable source will ensure that this "quiet zone" is embedded in the artwork.
Additionally, the GS1 website provides information on barcode dimensions to guide your placement. Resizing barcodes can affect their scannability, so it is important to refer to the official guidelines to ensure your barcode functions correctly.
Overall, when considering barcode placement, it is crucial to follow the official guidelines, maintain good colour contrast, place the barcode in the recommended location, and ensure it is appropriately sized with the necessary quiet zones for effective scanning.
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Frequently asked questions
To get a barcode in Australia, you need to become a GS1 Australia member. You can join online or by downloading manual forms.
The most common barcode for retail sales in Australia is EAN-13.
UPC-A barcodes have 12 digits, and EAN-13 barcodes have 13 digits. UPC-A barcodes are common in Canada and the USA, while EAN-13 barcodes are more common everywhere else.
Black bars on a white background is the standard for barcodes as it gives good contrast for scanning. However, you can print your barcode in other colours as long as there is a clear distinction between the bars and the spaces in between.
