You are one step closer to getting your products on the trade market – both locally and globally.
Follow the steps in the guide to create numbers and barcodes using your GS1 Company Prefix that you received by signing up as a GS1 Sweden customer.
Before you can create a barcode, you need unique numbers that identify each product. It’s the same number you see under a barcode and it is called a Global Trade Item Number (GTIN). The number consists of: GS1 Company Prefix + Sequence number + Check digit
As a GS1 Sweden customer, you already have a GS1 Company Prefix. The company prefix identifies your company and is a part of any number you create.
You decide the sequence number yourself. It can be from 000 to 999 if you ordered 1,000 numbers. The length of the sequence number depends on how long the company prefix is.
The check digit is the last digit in the barcode number. It is computer generated and you can calculate it with the check digit calculator.
The barcode is the carrier of your data and makes it possible for your product to be scanned. The most common types of barcodes are EAN-13, GS1-128 and ITF-14. Which one you should use depends, for example, on the type of packaging and where in the supply chain the barcode is to be read. See tips to choose the right one.
EAN-13 is used for consumer packages that are scanned at a retail point-of-sale.
GS1-128 is used for outer packaging, pallets and also to carry application identifiers.
ITF-14 is used for outer packaging and is an extra durable barcode.
See all barcode types
The size guide summarises the size limits defined for EAN-8, EAN-13, ITF-14 and GS1-128 barcodes in the GS1 General Specifications. See the size guide
It is usually the manufacturer who numbers and labels their packaging with barcodes. You can either produce barcode originals yourself or have someone to do it for you, such as a packaging designer, advertising agency or a printing company.
We have a list of suggested barcode suppliers that follow the GS1 barcode size guide. Of course you can also use the help of a printing company or similar, but feel free to refer them to our size guide.
Barcode suppliers
The barcode should be positioned correctly so that it can be scanned easily. In our guide, you will learn how to place the barcode correctly for the consumer packaging, the outer packaging and the pallet. Start by looking at general guidelines on positioning the barcode correctly.
As early as possible, you should make sure that the barcode is of sufficiently high quality and is produced according to the standards. GS1 Sweden offers the BarcodeCheck service which helps you check the readability, content and quality of your barcode. This will let you know that the barcode can be safely scanned with a barcode scanner.
Guidelines for good readability and safe scan.
We help you check the quality of your barcode.
Digital online tool for calculating the check digit in your GTIN.
Verified information about a product or party, with data from the owner.
What is a company prefix?
How do I create my barcode?
Which type of barcode should I use?
When do I get my barcode?
Sell products online
10 steps to barcode your product – GS1 Global
GS1 Company Prefix
How-to guides to help you get started with GS1 standards.
You can find the answers to the most common questions in our FAQ.