Summary of ways to create 1D barcodes: From online tools, Excel to software

Do you need to create 1D barcodes for printing product labels, bills of lading or warehouse management?Creating barcodes is now easier than ever – with just a few clicks using online tools or free software, you can have professional barcodes for all your needs.

In this article, iCheckQR will guide you how to create 1D barcode (UPC, EAN, Code 128…) from online generator, Excel to dedicated software, along with important tips for good, easy-to-print, technically correct scan codes.

1. Types of 1D barcodes that can be created

1D (one-dimensional) barcodes are traditional codes consisting of parallel black bars used to encode data in the form of characters or numbers. Here are the common types of 1D barcodes that you can create and use:

• UPC-A / UPC-E: Used in US retail – 12-digit code (UPC-A) or shortened form (UPC-E) for small products.

• EAN-13 / EAN-8: Global retail standard – EAN-13 consists of 13 digits, EAN-8 is used for small sized products.

• Code 39: Encoding letters + numbers + special characters – used in logistics, warehouses, military; checksum not required.

• Code 128: High encoding density, full ASCII support – used in bills of lading, logistics, warehouse management.

• ITF-14: 14 digit code – used to print on retail product cartons.

• MSI: Used in libraries, membership cards – only digital encoding, not internationally standardized.

• Codabar: Used in banking, libraries, transportation – encoding numbers + characters A–D, easy to create and read.

2. Ways to create 1D barcodes for free: From online tools, Excel to software

2.1 Quickly create 1D barcodes with the online tool iCheckQR

iCheck's free tool supports creating many types of 1D barcodes such as EAN-13, Code 128, Code 39... with a Vietnamese interface, easy to use for everyone. Steps to follow:

Step 1: Access: icheckqr.com - select "Solution" - select "Barcode Generator” 

Step 2: In the section“Barcode Type”, select the appropriate type:

• EAN-13: for retail products

• Code 128: for internal use, transportation

• Code 39, ITF, Codabar... as needed

Step 3: Entercode content(a series of numbers or strings to be encoded, such as: SKU, order code, product ID…)

Step 4: Customize (if needed):

• Size: adjust code height, width

• Color: select color code, background color

• Image format: PNG, SVG (support high quality printing)

Step 5: Press the button“Generate barcode”

• Sample barcode display system

• Press “Download”to save images to the computer for printing stamps, stickers, inserting documents...

2.2 Create barcodes using the TEC-IT Barcode Generator page

Prestigious international barcode generator, supporting a variety of 1D, 2D standards such as: UPC, EAN, Code 39, Code 128...

Steps to create 1D barcode using TEC-IT:

Step 1: Visit the official website:https://barcode.tec-it.com

Step 2: In the section"Barcode type", select the type of barcode you need to create:

• UPC-A, EAN-13, EAN-8, Code 39, Code 128, ITF-14…

Step 3: Enter code content into the box"Data to encode"

• For example: 8931234567890(product code),SKU00123, v.v.

Step 4: Advanced customization (if needed):

• Size: change height, width (module width, bar height)

• DPI: customize resolution (from 150 – 600 dpi)

• Font: select font for numbers displayed below code

• Text position: select to display code content above, below or not at all

Step 5: Press the button"Refresh"to display new code
→ Check code → Click"Download"to download images in formats:PNG, SVG, PDF

TEC-IT Barcode Generator interface illustration

2.3 Create barcodes using Excel with barcode fonts

Microsoft Excel does not support creating barcodes by default, but you can completely turn data cells into barcodes by installing additional barcode fonts. This method is extremely suitable if you need to create barcodes in large quantities from an available product list.
Step 1: Download barcode font to your computer

• Suggest: Font Free 3 of 9(Code 39) – free, popular

• Reference link:https://www.dafont.com/free-3-of-9.fontor https://www.barcodesinc.com/free-barcode-font/

Step 2: Install fonts on your computer

• After downloading the file.ttf→ right click → selectInstall

• Reopen Excel so that the font appears in the font list.

Step 3: Enter the code to be generated into Excel

• For example: type*123456*in cell A2

 Note: Must add asterisk*at the beginning and end to make the Code 39 font display the correct barcode format

Step 4: Select the box containing the code → change the font to “Free 3 of 9”

• Immediately, the chain*123456*will be displayed as a machine-scannable barcode.

Barcode imageExcel

2.4 Generate barcodes using Python (for engineering)

If you are a programmer or work in the technical field (IT), then generate barcode with python is the most effective way to automate, batch generate barcodes, or integrate into sales software, inventory management, printing systems.

You don't need to write too much code. Just use the built-in support library to quickly generate code.

Using the library reportlab– create barcode to insert into PDF

If you want Create PDF file containing barcodefor printing, then libraryreportlabwill be very helpful.

• Setting:

bash

pip install reportlab

• Example of creating a PDF file with EAN-13 code:

python

from reportlab.graphics.barcode import ean

from reportlab.graphics.shapes import Drawing

from reportlab.graphics import renderPDF

barcode = eanbc.Ean13BarcodeWidget('8931234567890')

drawing = Drawing(200, 100)

drawing.add(barcode)

Save as PDF file

renderPDF.drawToFile(drawing, 'barcode_ean13.pdf')

print("Created PDF file containing EAN-13 code.")

Result:You will have a PDF file namedbarcode_ean13.pdfcontains an EAN-13 barcode with a number8931234567890.

2.5 Create barcodes using specialized software

If you need to create and print professional barcodes in bulk, especially in medium and large-scale manufacturing, warehousing or retail businesses, the software below will help you process quickly, accurately and flexibly.

Steps to use barcode generation software (general application)

Although each software has a different interface, the basic usage will include the following similar steps:

Step 1: Install the software

• Download from official website or from the provider

• Install according to the instructions on your computer

Step 2: Design the label template

• Create a stamp frame (3x2 cm in size, or according to actual print size)

• Insert barcode (choose type: EAN, Code 128...)

• Insert text, logo, if needed

Step 3: Enter barcode data

• Can enter each code manually

• Or connect to Excel, Access, SQL files... to get the list automatically

Step 4: Test print and export file

• Print on label printer (Zebra, Godex, TSC…)

• Export PDF files or send print commands directly from the software

Which coding method is right for you?

3. Important notes when creating 1D barcodes

Ensure Quiet Zone:

• Is the white area around the barcode, especially at the left and right ends.

• Must be at least twice as wide.10 times the smallest line width.

• Avoid placing near frames, logos, text.

• Helps the scanner accurately determine the start/end of the code.

Ensure high contrast between line and background:

• Use lineblack or dark coloron the background white or light.

• Avoid using red, light yellow, metallic colors for lines (easily "invisible" when scanning).

• Do not place the code on a patterned background.
  

Do not stretch barcode images:

• Avoid enlarging/reducing bitmap images unevenly (prone to distortion and errors).

• Use high quality or format photos.vector (SVG, PDF).

• Priority code output withMinimum resolution 300 DPI.

Always check barcodes before mass printing:

• Using multiple devices: laser scanner, CCD, camera, mobile application...

• Test under different conditions: low light, tilt angle, long distance.

• Ensure code reads well on all systems, avoiding errors on POS or real devices.

4. Common mistakes to avoid when creating 1D barcodes

Selected wrong barcode format:

• For example:

• UPC-A / EAN-13: used for retail, supermarkets.

• Code 128 / Code 39: suitable for logistics, warehousing.

• ITF-14: used for batch packaging (cartons).

• Common error: using EAN for export or UPC outside the US → not compatible.

Unsupported character encoding:

• Some formats only support numbers (UPC-A, EAN-13), not text.

• Error when entering text into code that only supports numbers → cannot generate valid code.

• It is necessary to check the supported character set before encoding.

Using blurry, low-quality barcode images:

• Low resolution, stretched, jagged or pasted onto curved surface → difficult to scan.

• Always use sharp original images or vector format.

Missing Checksum:

• Some types of code require checksums to validate data.

• Checksum not calculated or entered incorrectly → code cannot be read.

• It is recommended to use a tool that has an automatic checksum calculation function.

Conclude

Creating 1D barcodes is no longer a complicated task. Just choose the right tool – from iCheckQR for beginners, to Python for engineers, or specialized software for businesses – you can completely: Create codes quickly, accurately, easy to integrate. Optimize the process of managing warehouses, shipping bills, products. Save time and costs of printing stamps and labels.