As the number of products increases, it becomes more time-consuming to check prices and SKUs, search for products in stores, and manage inventory. One way to streamline this process is to attach barcode labels to each product.
Using Shopify's official free app "Retail Barcode Labels," you can generate barcodes based on registered product information and create and print labels that include the price and SKU all at once.
However, this app generates a barcode for product identification in the store, which is different from the JAN code (product code for distribution issued by GS1 Japan). If you want to issue a code for use in external distribution such as Amazon, Rakuten, or physical retail chains, you will need to register as a business with GS1 Japan instead of with this app.
In this article, we will explain the main functions and benefits of Retail Barcode Labels, compatible labels, how to use it, and precautions you should check before using it.
What is Retail Barcode Labels?
Image source: Retail Barcode Labels｜Shopify App Store
Retail Barcode Labels is a free app provided by Shopify that allows you to create and print barcode labels for your products. In addition to creating labels that list prices, SKUs, and other information, it supports the label sheets and label printers specified by Shopify, making it easier to identify products and streamline product management in stores.
Main functions and things you can do with Retail Barcode Labels
Among the things you can do with Retail Barcode Labels, here are some particularly useful features.
Barcodes can be generated automatically
Code-128 format barcodes can be automatically created for products that do not have a barcode set or for specified products. Code-128 is a barcode standard that can express numbers, letters, and symbols.
Barcodes are 8-digit numbers based on product variant IDs and can be generated in bulk by specifying products and variants, so barcodes can be set efficiently even in stores with a large number of products.
You can customize the information displayed on the label
In addition to the barcode, information such as price, SKU, and variants can be displayed on the label. Since you can select the items to display and change their order, you can create templates that suit your needs.
However, the items you can select depend on the size of the label, and you are not completely free to design the layout.
Can be printed using a dedicated printer or a regular printer
In addition to dedicated label printers such as Zebra and Dymo, Avery 5160 and 5167 label sheets can be used with standard laser and inkjet printers. Please note that the labels that can be used are limited to certain sizes.
You can print labels in bulk
You can print labels for many products at once instead of printing them one by one. You can reduce work time in situations where a large number of labels are required, such as when new products arrive or when replacing products.
However, each variant and number of copies to be printed must be specified manually, and specification via CSV or automatic batch printing is not supported.
Benefits of implementing Retail Barcode Labels
Implementing Retail Barcode Labels provides the following operational benefits:
Reduce the labor of creating and printing labels
Features such as automatic barcode generation, template saving, and batch printing allow you to prepare labels all at once. It is less burdensome than creating each item by hand, and makes it easier to handle situations where a large number of labels are required, such as when new products arrive.
In-store product lookup and checkout become smoother
When combined with Shopify POS and a compatible barcode scanner, you can scan barcodes, retrieve products and variants, and add them to the cart. By reducing the need to manually enter product names and prices, checkout for in-store sales and pop-up stores can proceed smoothly.
Easily prevents input errors and product mix-ups
Scanning products with barcodes eliminates the need to manually enter prices and SKUs. This reduces the chances of human input errors and mix-ups of similar products, which helps reduce information discrepancies at checkout and in inventory management.
Label standards and printers supported by Retail Barcode Labels
With Retail Barcode Labels, you choose a label from predefined standards rather than specifying a size. The officially supported labels are:
| Manufacturer / product number | Size (inch) | Size (approx. mm) |
|---|---|---|
| Dymo - 30252 (Large) | 1 1/8 × 3 1/2 | Approximately 29 x 89 |
| Dymo - 30336 (Small) | 1 × 2 1/8 | Approximately 25 x 54 |
| Dymo - 30332 (Square) | 1 × 1 | Approximately 25 x 25 |
| Dymo - 30299 (Price Tag) | 3/8 × 3/4 | Approximately 10 x 19 |
| Avery Standard - 5160 | 2.63 × 1 | Approximately 67 x 25 |
| Avery Standard - 5167 | 1.75 × 0.5 | Approximately 44 x 13 |
| Zebra - 10010037 | 1.188 × 0.844 | Approximately 30 x 21 |
| Zebra - 10010038 | 1.25 × 1 | Approximately 32 x 25 |
| Zebra - 10010039 | 2 × 1 | Approximately 51 x 25 |
| Zebra - 10015340 | 2.25 × 0.75 | Approximately 57 x 19 |
| Zebra - 10010043 | 3 × 1 | Approximately 76 x 25 |
| Zebra - 10010044 | 3 × 2 | Approximately 76 x 51 |
| Zebra - ZSB-LC6 | 2.25 × 1 | Approximately 57 x 25 |
| Zebra - ZSB-LC7 | 1.25 × 1.25 | Approximately 32 x 32 |
| Zebra - ZSB-LC8 | 2.25 × 0.5 | Approximately 57 x 13 |
※1 inch is 25.4mm
Note that the maximum number of digits that can be written on Dymo labels is determined for each size (maximum 39 digits for 30252, 22 digits for 30336, 6 to 8 digits for 30332, and 8 digits for 30299), and it is not possible to add unique sizes other than these.
Retail Barcode Labels can print from printers registered on a computer or on the network. However, depending on the printer or paper, the label size or print position may not match. For accurate printing, use the Dymo/Zebra printers recommended by Shopify or compatible Avery label sheets.
Even if printers such as Epson and SATO, which are common in Japan, are recognized on a computer, they may not print correctly if the paper dimensions do not match the label standards supported by the app. Compatibility and regional availability may change, so before purchasing, check the Shopify Help Center's list of barcode label printers and Retail Barcode Labels app page for the latest compatibility status.
Points to consider when choosing an operation method
If you want to make full-scale use of Retail Barcode Labels, consider the following methods depending on the scale of your operation and the printer you use.
- If you want to print continuously with a label printer, consider the Zebra or Dymo models recommended by Shopify.
- Before purchasing a printer, check whether compatible label paper is continuously available in Japan.
- If you are printing only a small number of sheets, use Avery 5160/5167 label sheets and a compatible laser/inkjet printer.
- If you want to use a domestic label printer or a custom-sized label, consider another app that supports any label size.
Please note that Avery 5160 and 5167 are standards mainly distributed in North America, and the entire sheet is Letter size (approximately 216 x 279 mm) rather than A4. Please check the specifications before purchasing, as the sheet size, margins, and imposition may differ from the A4 size label sheets that are common in Japan.
How to use Retail Barcode Labels
We will explain how to use Retail Barcode Labels. First, install the app from the Shopify App Store.
Image source: Retail Barcode Labels｜Shopify App Store
An installation confirmation message will be displayed, so click "Install". When the installation is complete, the app home screen will be displayed. Click "Start".
A confirmation screen for barcode creation will be displayed. If the product does not have a barcode registered, select "Create barcode".
Once you create a barcode, an 8-digit barcode will be displayed in the barcode field on each product details page.
Next, the template creation screen will be displayed. After entering the template title, select the label type and check the items you want to display on the label. Then, click "Create Template" in the top right corner of the screen.
Initial settings are now complete.
Next, let's print the label. Select "Print Label" at the top right of the app's home screen.
Select the product you want to print a label for.
Enter the quantity of labels to print for each variant. Click "Print ◯ labels" in the upper-right corner (◯ shows the total number of labels).
A preview screen will be displayed. If you have a label printer, select it in "Destination".
That concludes the explanation of the basic usage.
You can also print barcode labels directly from the product details page.
Points to note when using Retail Barcode Labels
We will explain the precautions you should be aware of before installation.
There are restrictions on the environment in which you can print.
You can print labels with Retail Barcode Labels from the Shopify admin on your computer. However, printing from Shopify POS is not supported. In addition, you cannot print barcode labels directly from the Shopify mobile app on your iPad via this app; if you use a compatible Dymo printer, you will need the Dymo Connect app.
Requirements vary depending on the device and printer combination you use, so it is best to check them before installing. Product scanning itself can also be done with POS.
The size of labels that can be used is fixed.
Compatible labels are limited to the sizes specified in the table above, and you cannot specify arbitrary dimensions. Labels sold in Japan, such as A-One, may have slightly different dimensions and margins.
If you choose "approximately the same size", the barcode may be misaligned, so check in advance whether it matches the supported size.
The barcode generated is for in-store use only and cannot be used for external distribution.
This app generates a Code-128 barcode using the last 8 digits of the variant ID. Code-128 and JAN codes use different barcode standards. A JAN code is a 13-digit (or 8-digit) numerical code issued after registration with GS1 Japan, while the 8-digit barcode in this app is automatically assigned by Shopify for in-store identification and cannot be used as a global product identifier.
It is mainly used for product identification within your own store and for scanning with Shopify POS. Please note that barcodes may rarely overlap between variants that have the same last 8 digits.
When selling manufacturers' products through external retail distribution channels, Amazon, Google Shopping, and similar channels, as a general rule, you will need a JAN code/GTIN provided by the manufacturer or an official code created based on a GS1 Company Prefix. Please be aware that the official website has advised that the 8-digit barcode from this app is not suitable for Google Shopping.
When creating barcodes, be careful when handling existing codes
When you use the "Create a barcode for a product without a barcode" feature, an existing barcode that was previously entered manually may be replaced with a new 8-digit barcode. If you want to keep products for which JAN codes and GTINs have already been registered, narrow down the operation by selecting "Create for specific products" instead of creating barcodes for all products at once.
Check reading by test printing before printing
If the product name or variant name contains some special characters, it may not be displayed correctly on the label. Additionally, barcodes may become unreadable due to misalignment in print size.
Before printing in bulk, try printing a single test page to make sure it can be read by an actual scanner or Shopify POS. If you use a Dymo printer, the Shopify Help Center instructs you to set the output resolution to 300 x 600 DPI (a unit of resolution).
Check whether it suits your operations before installing it
Retail Barcode Labels is a free app that allows you to create and print barcode labels based on Shopify product information. Generate barcodes and print them in batches to reduce label preparation time.
However, the available label sizes and standards are limited. If you want to use a domestic printer or custom-sized labels, consider a method that suits your operations, including using a separate app.
