How to Generate Barcode Labels in 3 Simple Steps
Create professional, print-ready barcode labels entirely in your browser. No software to install, no account to create, no data uploaded to any server. This guide walks you through everything from choosing a barcode format to downloading a batch PDF sheet. Each step happens visibly in the browser before you print anything, so a wrong format or typo is caught first.
Supported Barcode Formats
Our generator supports four widely used barcode symbologies, each suited to different industries and use cases. If you are unsure which one fits, the safe default is Code 128 — it accepts almost any text and prints reliably at the label sizes used by most shops:
| Format | Best For | Allowed Characters |
|---|---|---|
| Code 128 | Shipping labels, internal inventory, URL encoding | Any printable ASCII (full 128-character set) |
| EAN-13 | Retail products sold in Europe and internationally | 12 or 13 digits (check digit auto-calculated) |
| UPC-A | Retail products sold in North America | 11 or 12 digits (check digit auto-calculated) |
| Code 39 | Industrial labeling, asset tracking, military specs | A-Z, 0-9, and - $ % . + / (space) |
Code 128 is the most versatile choice for general-purpose labeling because it supports the full ASCII character set and achieves high data density in a compact barcode. EAN-13 and UPC-A are mandatory for products sold through major retail channels like Amazon, Walmart, and Etsy.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Choose Your Barcode Type
Open the Barcode Generator and select your format from the Type dropdown. If you are creating product barcodes for Etsy, choose EAN-13 (13-digit retail standard) or UPC-A (North American retail). For shipping labels, internal inventory, or URLs, Code 128 is the recommended choice. Code 39 is ideal for industrial asset tags and warehouse bin labels.
Step 2: Enter Your Data
Type or paste your value into the data field. The tool validates your input in real time — if you enter an invalid EAN-13 code, it will show an error before you proceed. For EAN-13 and UPC-A, you only need to enter the base digits; the check digit is appended automatically using the standard modulo-10 algorithm.
Step 3: Select Label Size and Batch Quantity
Pick a label dimension that matches the stock you already own — the grid on the PDF always matches the size you select, so nothing gets cropped when you print. The most popular choice is 4" × 2.5", which fits standard thermal label rolls used by many home and office printers. You can also choose smaller sizes (2" × 1", 2.5" × 1", or 3" × 1") for compact product tags. Set the quantity (1–200) and click Download PDF.
The resulting PDF is a print-ready A4 sheet with all barcodes arranged in a grid. No server upload, no processing delay — everything happens in your browser using the JsBarcode and pdf-lib libraries.
Tips for Different Use Cases
For Etsy Sellers
Use UPC-A or EAN-13 for product listings. Generate barcodes in batches of 100 for your best sellers, then print on 4" × 2.5" label sheets. The PDF output is optimized for standard thermal label printers — no scaling or cropping needed. Always double-check the human-readable number below the barcode matches your product ID before printing a full batch.
For Shipping & Fulfillment
Use Code 128 to encode order numbers, tracking IDs, or carrier SCAC codes. The high data density of Code 128 means you can fit more information into a smaller barcode, which is useful for tight label spaces. Batch generate up to 100 labels at once and print directly on address-label stock.
For Inventory & Asset Tracking
Use Code 39 for internal asset tags — it is the legacy standard for government and industrial applications. Encode your asset ID, location code, or department identifier. Since Code 39 supports uppercase letters, you can embed meaningful codes like WH-FLOOR3-042 directly in the barcode.
For DevOps & Automation
Since the generator runs entirely client-side, you can automate barcode generation using Puppeteer or Selenium in your CI/CD pipeline. Load the app page, set the barcode value and type via JavaScript, trigger the download, and capture the PDF — all without a browser UI. The tool works in headless Chrome and requires no server infrastructure, and it also works in air-gapped environments once the page has loaded.
Privacy & Offline Use
Every barcode you generate stays on your device. No data is sent to any server, no analytics are collected, and no account is required. After the first page load, the service worker caches all assets so you can generate barcodes completely offline — ideal for air-gapped environments or areas with unreliable internet connectivity. Your product data, shipping addresses, and internal codes never leave your browser, so you can keep the tool on a shared terminal without exposing customer or inventory data to anyone else.
Ready to Generate Your Barcodes?
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