100% Legal, Official & Unique Barcodes

Frequently Asked Questions - The Barcode 411

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Are you confused how and where to buy Legal UPC Codes? Not sure whom to trust?
 

We hope that the information below will help guide you through the process of obtaining UPC codes for your products. These answers below cover some of the most common questions about UPC codes that we have heard from our many customers over the years.
 
Feel free to call us at 877-872-2060 (toll free for USA/Canada) or +1 404-869-0701 (international) to talk to one of our barcode experts who will answers any additional questions you have about purchasing a UPC code.
 

  What is a UPC barcode? And how does it work?
  Does Simply Barcodes put my product information in my barcode symbol?
  How many UPC codes do I need?
  Do you require a tax identification number/social security number?
  Do you offer a discount on barcodes for charitable organizations?
  How do I purchase barcodes from Simply Barcodes?
  What happens after I complete my purchase?
  In what format do I receive my barcodes?
  When do I receive my UPC code?
  How can I get help with putting my UPC code on my product?
  Can I print my barcode labels in black and white?
  What dimensions should my UPC code be?
  My business is outside of the US, can I still purchase barcodes from Simply Barcodes?
  Does the barcode tell me (or others) in which country a product was manufactured?
  What are EAN barcodes? Do I really need one?
  What does "Official Site" in your advertising mean?
  What if I am selling to The Kroger Co., Macys, Inc., Wal-Mart Stores, Sears Brands, LLC or other stores that require GS1 membership?
  I am still not sure, is there an outside source where I can check to see that Simply Barcodes is legitimate?
  I need to speak with someone who can help me?
     

What is a UPC barcode? And how does it work?

  In short, the UPC is a 12-digit unique code for your product represented by scannable bars.

Universal Product Codes (also known as GTIN-12) appear as lines (bars) of varying widths representing the series of numbers commonly shown below the bars.

Barcode scanners read the bars and convert them back to the 12-digit UPC number that they represent.

When you reach an agreement with a retailer to carry your product(s), they request the information required by their unique proprietary sales and inventory tracking systems.

Your 12-digit UPC number, when looked up within the retailer’s inventory system, finds the corresponding product name and price.

This information helps the retailer keep accurate inventory data, review sales, and reorder.
 
 

Does Simply Barcodes put my product information in my barcode symbol?

  NO, your barcode symbol only contains your official UPC barcode number.

Each retailer maintains their own sales and inventory tracking systems. So you must provide your product information for each retailer carrying your products.
 
 

How many UPC codes do I need?

  In order to properly identify your products in their inventory management system, each retailer requires a different UPC barcode for each unique product.

Example:

You produce and sell picture frames and want to offer your frames for sale on Amazon. You carry two colors, dark walnut and cherry, and both frames come in three sizes including small, medium and large.

How many unique UPC codes are required?
The answer: Six

Why?

Product One: Dark Walnut Frame Small
Product Two: Dark Walnut Frame Medium
Product Three: Dark Walnut Frame Large
Product Four: Cherry Frame Small
Product Five: Cherry Frame Medium
Product Six: Cherry Frame Large
 
 

Do you require a tax identification number/social security number?

  No, companies are not required to supply a tax ID number, and individuals are not required to supply a social security number.
 
 

Do you offer a discount on barcodes for charitable organizations?

  Raising the BarTM

We support many well-known charities through our Raising the BarTM charity program. Our barcodes appear in fundraising campaigns, on donation cards, tear-offs, coupons, flyers at charity events, and at the point of sale at various retailers.

To qualify, please forward your U.S.-based 501(c)3 federal tax-exempt or Canadian Registered Charity documentation to solutions@simplybarcodes.com. Charities outside of the US and Canada please contact us for details regarding discounts on our barcodes.

To learn more, please visit our page dedicated to barcoding for charitable organizations.
 
 

How do I purchase barcodes from Simply Barcodes?

 
1stGo to our Barcode Order Page or call us at +1 404-869-0701 or toll free at 877-872-2060.
2ndPlace your order.
  We only require that you provide contact and billing information. You are not required to provide product information.
  Your retailer collects your product information, which they associate with your barcode at the Point of Sale.
  Note: We also accept checks, money orders, and wire transfers. If you wish to use one of those payment methods, please print and complete this form.
   
 
 

What happens after I complete my purchase?

 
1stUpon completion of your order, you will receive an email confirmation of your UPC barcode purchase.
2ndSimply Barcodes then assigns your official UPC numbers from our database of official codes issued by the UCC (now called GS1).
3rdThe digital barcode images are generated from the numbers you purchased.
4thYour UPC barcodes are emailed to you as an attachment.
 
 

In what format do I receive my barcodes?

  For your convenience, you receive your barcode graphic in three different formats so that your graphic artist, printing company, or manufacturing facility can work with the graphic in their preferred software.
 
   
EPS Format - This layered, vector EPS file is the preferred format of most graphic designers due to its quality and versatility, particularly for resizing. EPS is an "exchange" format, not necessarily associated with one specific graphics program. An exchange format is one intended for multiple applications to be able to open.
TIFF Format - This raster TIFF file is not suitable for significant resizing. It is popular among graphic artists.
JPEG Format - This uncompressed, high-quality JPEG file is the most common file format. All computers can open a JPEG. However, it is not suitable for resizing.
 
 

When do I receive my UPC code?

  The turn-around time is often within an hour.
All orders received before 4 p.m. Eastern Time on business days are completed the same day. Orders placed after 4 p.m. will be processed next business day. If you require RUSH completion, please call 877-872-2060 (toll-free) or +1 404-869-0701 (international) to make arrangements.
 
 

How can I get help with putting my UPC code on my product?

  Providing the barcode image to your graphic artist and including it in the design of your packaging prior to manufacturing is the easiest and most economical way of getting your barcode on your product.

If your product packaging has already been printed, you will need barcode labels. If you would like to order pre-printed barcode labels, please select this option when ordering your UPC code. If you have already completed your order, then click label printing to order labels. All orders received before 2 p.m. Eastern Time on business days are completed the same day and shipped for free within the continental U.S.
 
 

Can I print my barcode labels in black and white?

  Barcodes do not have to be printed in black and white. For more information on the subject visit this great color guide.
 
 

What dimensions should my UPC code be?

 
Size Guideline:  
Nominal size 1.469" wide x 1.02" high
Minimum recommended size 80% of the nominal size or 1.175" wide
Maximum recommended size 200% of the nominal size or 2.938" wide
   
  Width is much more important than height!

The width influences the distance between the bars and how well the laser can distinguish between them.

Simply Barcodes strongly recommends test-scanning any UPC code prototype produced by your manufacturing facility before going into mass production. (Please note that all of Simply Barcodes pre-printed barcode label orders are test-scanned and confirmed scannable by our equipment. Click here to learn more about our label printing service.)
 
 

My business is outside of the US, can I still purchase barcodes from Simply Barcodes?

  Yes, you can purchase your UPC or EAN barcodes from Simply Barcodes.

If selling in North America, Simply Barcodes recommends that you purchase UPC barcodes.

If selling only outside of North America, Simply Barcodes recommends purchasing EAN barcodes through our EAN website.
 
 

Does the barcode tell me (or others) in which country a product was manufactured?

  We are asked this question daily. Unfortunately, there is a lot of misinformation on the internet and in e-mails that are going around. This happens especially frequently at times of product recalls or food safety scares.

The truth of the matter is very simple: No, it is absolutely not possible to tell in which country a product has been made by looking at the barcode.

We have put together a very detailed explanation of why this is not possible along with a recommendation on how you might tell where a product comes from here.
 
 

What are EAN barcodes? Do I really need one?

  EAN stand for European Article Number.

Retail products outside of North America feature a single standard EAN barcode. The exceptions to this rule are: barcodes for alcohol (beer, liquor, wine) books, CBD, greeting cards, magazines, medical, and produce.
In short, the EAN is a 13-digit unique code for your product represented by scannable bars.

EAN codes (also known as GTIN-13) appear as lines (bars) of varying widths representing the series of numbers commonly shown below the bars.

Barcode scanners read the bars and convert them back to the 13-digit EAN number that they represent.

When you reach an agreement with a retailer to carry your product(s), they request the information required by their unique proprietary sales and inventory tracking systems.

Your 13-digit EAN number, when looked up within the retailer’s inventory system, finds the corresponding product name and price.

This information helps the retailer keep accurate inventory data, review sales, and reorder. For more information or to order, visit www.OfficialEANcode.com.
 
 

What does "Official Site" in your advertising mean?

  We consider ourselves an official site because we supply individual UPCs generated from never-before-used official UPC numbers that originated from the Uniform Code Council (UCC) and all of the barcode numbers we issue were grandfathered in before annual fees began and before the resale of UPC numbers was prohibited. This sets us apart from many other barcode vendors, who try to sell UPCs that were issued AFTER the resale was prohibited, were leased, previously used, made-up from thin air, or created incorrectly. Hence, we are an official site to legally purchase UPC codes for outright ownership without annual fees. We are not the UCC or GS1 and do not claim to be, nor do we enter you in their or any other third-party databases.
 
 

What if I am selling to The Kroger Co., Macys, Inc., Wal-Mart Stores, Sears Brands, LLC or other stores that require GS1 membership?

  In the case of these few retailers, you will have no choice but to lease your UPC numbers directly from GS1. These stores require that you have your own GS1 membership.

However, once you have obtained your prefix number from GS1, you can still return to us to have your digital UPC barcode images created using the GS1 numbers. You would also want to use our firm to have your master carton barcodes (SCC-14 codes) created. Large retailers generally require that you properly label your shipments with SCC-14 barcodes.
 
 

I am still not sure, is there an outside source where I can check to see that Simply Barcodes is legitimate?

  We understand with all of the confusing information available on the web that you might be concerned about legitimacy. Our company, in business for nearly 20 years, maintains an A+ rating with the BBB. All of our codes originate with the governing body, GS1 and never previously used. Our experienced and knowledgeable staff stands ready to answer your questions and do more than just sell you a barcode. We work with you to help your company successfully market your products.

GEORGE J. LAURER, the inventor of UPC barcode, once highlighted Simply Barcode on his website as "The best company I have found to date." Industry expert Russ Adams also noted Simply Barcodes on his website.

Our best reference, however, are our tens of thousands of satisfied clients in 134 countries worldwide. Click here read some of our many testimonials.
 
 

I need to speak with someone who can help me?

  Our multilingual customer service team welcomes the opportunity to speak with you about your unique situation.

Call us now! +1 404-869-0701 (international) or 877-872-2060 (toll-free)

Hours of operation, Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Eastern Time.
 
 
 
At Simply Barcodes, we professionally create barcodes including, UPC Codes, EAN Codes, Barcodes for Amazon, Barcodes for Music, ISBN Barcodes, Magazine Barcodes, Barcodes for Produce, Barcodes for Greeting Cards, Barcodes for Alcohol, SCC-14 Codes, QR Codes, Data Matrix Barcodes, Coupon Barcodes, GTIN Codes, UPN Barcodes, Code 128 Barcodes, Code 39 Barcodes, and many other barcode types. We also provide barcode graphic creation, label printing, and other barcoding services.

Call 877-872-2060 (toll-free) or +1 404-869-0701 (international) or live chat with our Experts for more information regarding our barcoding services. Our multilingual customer service team welcomes the opportunity to speak with you about your unique situation.
 




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  •   "I have had nothing but positive experiences with Simply Barcodes. The turn time and barcode files have been wonderful. I always know who to turn to when the need arises."

    Matt Wills
    Torani
  •   “I was surprised at how fast and responsive the customer service was – I’m impressed that I was immediately transferred through to a real person. Simply Barcodes was willing to work with me on my request, and that makes a huge difference. Very helpful – thanks so much!”

    Diana Lee
    Harvard Business School
    Boston, MA, USA
  •   "My experience with Simply Bar Codes was just plain AWESOME!I placed two orders before and the UPC codes were in my email within the hour.The 3rd UPC was a rush for one of our products and needed ASAP.I called the company and the customer service representative pushed my order through for me after hours. I’m very happy and will use again."

    James Gatz
    E4 Beverages LLC
    Adell, WI, USA
  •   "We’re a small growing company and needed customer service help to figure out exactly what’s needed in the industry. Your staff is incredibly helpful and quick to respond to any questions. Orders have been placed promptly and I’m very impressed."

    Cathinka Chandler
    Kush Co.
    Charlotte, NC, USA
  •   "Since starting our business, using Simply Barcodes has been the easiest and most user friendly process I have come across in a long time. I needed a quick turnaround and that’s exactly what I received."

    Chad Fordham
    Good Spirits Distilling LLC
    Olathe, KS, USA
  •   "I have used Simply Barcodes several times now.I’m always impressed with how quick the turnaround time is to receive a new SCC or UPC barcode. Thank you."

    Kathryn Fletcher
    Assistant Sales Manager
    Grgich Hills Estate
    Rutherford, CA
  •   "My experience with Simply Barcodes has been great.It was very easy to purchase and get our codes."

    Christy Lippincott
    Imperial Beef, LLC
    Blair, NE