Where to Place Your Barcodes

Once you have barcodes for your products, where can you put them?

First of all, it’s important to keep in mind the type of product that you’re looking to label. Is it small? Does it need to go inside a piece of machinery, such as a computer? Will it be showcased in display cases lit by hot lights? Will it be used or stored in an environment of extreme hot or cold? Will it be exposed to sunlight? Many barcodes will need to be printed at a specific size using special materials and secured using resistant adhesives to prevent any damage to the barcode or the product itself. Keep this in mind when you’re looking for proper placement.

Next, consider how the object will be scanned. If you’re working with barcodes placed on the outside of packaging, it can be pretty simple: make it accessible to the scanner. However, if you’re dealing with something bit more complex, you may want to consider placing your barcode that is safe and secure, yet still accessible to any scanner.

Finally, use common sense. Place your barcodes in areas that won’t be damaged or can’t be destroyed. Take care to pay attention to heat sources, extreme temperatures, moisture, and the environment. Observe the product itself and where it stands in your operations. Use critical thinking to develop the right placement to accommodate the product itself, its usage, its storage, its method of shipment, its environment, and its method of scanning.