How to Create a Barcode for a Product: A Step-by-Step Guide

July 27, 2025 - 9:30 PM

Are you looking for a way to create barcodes for your products to manage inventory, sales, print labels or distribute more professionally? The good news youv You can create your own barcodes for free., easily – whether you are an individual, online shop or small business.

This article iCheckQR will guide youv Step by step to create barcode for productv in many ways: from online, Excel to specialized softwaryouvvOptimization tips, printing methods, and answers to frequently asked questions.

1. Create product barcodes online

iCheckQR is a completely free online barcode generator, supporting a variety of 1D code standards such as EAN-13, Code 128, Code 39, suitable for both individuals and small businesses. Vietnamese interface, simple operation on both computers and phones.

Outstanding advantages:

No software installation required
100% free, no account required
Allows customization of size, color, and image format
Create quickly in seconds, compatible with barcode scanners

Detailed instructions on how to create barcodes with iCheckQR:

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-14.... depending on needs

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

→ Example:ICHECK123456, 8931234567890, SKU001-A

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...
Output image format:

PNG– commonly used for printing stamps and packaging
SVG– high quality, used for industrial design and printing

2. Create barcodes for products using Excel

Excel is a familiar tool for all businesses and individuals, and you can completely take advantage of Excel to quickly create product barcodes, especially when you have a list of codes that need to be printed in bulk. 2 ways to implement:

Method 1: Use font Code 39 (Free 3 of 9)

Suitable if you just need to create simple codes to print labels, stick products, or manage internal inventory.Steps to follow:

Step 1: Download barcode font to your computer

Access:https://www.dafont.com/free-3-of-9.font
ClickDownload→ unzip file.zip→ open fileFree3of9.ttf
Press the buttonInstallto install fonts on your computer

Step 2: Open Microsoft Excel

Step 3: Enter the code data to be generated

In any cell, type the following content:

For example: *ICHECK123456*

Note: Sign required*at the beginning and end with font Code 39)

Step 4: Change font

Highlight the cell just entered
Go to tabFont→ selectFree 3 of 9 → Immediately, the content will be displayed asscannable barcode

Illustration of barcode displayed onExcel

Method 2: Use TBarCode Office Add-in (advanced)

Suitable for businesses, or people who need to create EAN-13, Code 128, QR Code, and print stamps in bulk from Excel lists.Steps to follow:

Step 1: Download the Add-in software

Access:https://www.tec-it.com/en/software/barcode-software/tbarcode/office/overview/Default.aspx
Download versionTBarCode Office→ Install according to instructions

Step 2: Open Excel → check the TBarCode tab has appeared

Step 3: Enter product list

Create a table with 2 columns: “Product Name” and “Product Code”
For example:

Product Name	Product code
White T-shirt	NNMA001
Hand sanitizer	NNMA002

Step 4: Create barcode

Select the cell to create code → click tabTBarCode→ select code type (EAN-13, Code 128…)
The add-in will automatically insert the barcode image into the adjacent cell.

Step 5: Print the label

Use Excel print feature or export PDF file to send printed labels

Comparison table of 2 methods

Criteria	Font barcode	Add-in TBarCode
Free of charge	Have	Trial, full version paid
Generate bulk code	Line by line	Batch creation made easy
Supported code types	Code 39 only	Full: EAN, Code 128, QR…
Easy to use	Have	Need to get used to it 1-2 times

3. Create barcodes using software or design support tools

If you needcreate professional labels, mass printing or incorporating beautiful designs, then using specialized software or design tools is the most suitable solution.

Specialized software (for business)

These software support creating and printing thousands of barcodes according to product lists, connecting data, designing fixed label templates - often used in factories, packaging workshops, warehouses:

Software	Outstanding features	Suitable for
Bartender	Drag-and-drop label design, Excel/SQL connectivity, print automation	Large enterprise, mass production
NiceLabel	Easy to use interface, industrial printing, supports many label printers	Packing factory, medium enterprise

General usage:

Software installation
Create stamp design → insert barcode
Data entry (manual or Excel file connection)
Print labels with label printers (Zebra, Godex...)

Graphic design tools (for individuals & small shops)

You can combineonline barcode generator like iCheckQRwith design tools likeCanva or InDesignto create beautiful labels, print and stick on products.

How to do:

Generate barcodes using iCheckQR→ download as PNG or SVG
Open Canva / InDesign / Illustrator
Create packaging / sticker design → insert barcode in desired location
Export PDF file → print stamps with regular printer or offset printing

4. How to print barcodes and attach them to products

After creating the barcode, the next step is to print the label and stick it on the product packaging in a way that is beautiful - technically correct - easy to scan. Here are detailed instructions:

Which printer to print barcodes with?

You can use:

Regular office printer(printed on A4 paper or decal paper)
Specialized label printer(Zebra, TSC, Godex...) – print directly onto sticker rolls
Thermal printer– no ink, saving printing costs

Note:With regular printers, you should usedecal paper or photo paperto make the stamp clear and easy to stick.

Recommended barcode size

Common recommended sizes: 3x2 cm(suitable for many types of packaging)
Can vary depending on product size, but should be: Wider than 2.5 cm Barcode not too thin (easily blurred when printed)

Recommended barcode image format

PNG: Popular, easy to insert into Word, Canva. Print office, documents
SVG: Vector, no image distortion when enlarged. Used in InDesign, Canva design
PDF: Easy to print directly, standard A4 format. When printing stamps in bulk from the software

Barcode placement on product

To barcodeEasy and accurate scanning, you should paste it at:

Back or bottom of box, packaging – where there is a flat, non-curved surface
Near the edge of the product butnot folded on the edge
Avoid locations that are shiny, reflective, or have bold background patterns.

Illustration of barcode on product

5. Does the product barcode need to be registered?

This is a very common question – especially for those new to business or online sales. Depending on the distribution channel and purpose of use, you can create your own code or need to register officially.

When should I register an official barcode (EAN-13)?

If you sell at:

Supermarket, chain stores, shopping malls
Distributors require a valid EAN code
You are required to register the EAN-13 barcode through the organization.GS1 Vietnam

When can I generate my own barcodes?

If you:

Online sales (Shopee, Lazada, own website...)
Internal management of handmade products, personal stores
Can use Code 128 or Code 39 – easy to create, no registration required
The code can still be scanned by barcode scanners, sales software, mobile apps.

6. Tips for optimizing the use of barcodes for products

For barcodes to work effectively,Prints beautifully and is easy to scan., you should note:

Always test barcode scanning before mass printing:Use a scanning app on your phone or a real scanner
Do not crop images, do not compress barcode files:Easy to lose the line, the machine does not receive it
Avoid pasting codes in curved, folded, or box-edge positions:Causes code distortion → incorrect scanning or unreadability
Should display additional code below barcode:In case the machine cannot scan, you can still enter manually.

7. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Do I need a barcode to sell online?

→Not required, But should haveTo easily manage orders, print labels neatly and more professionally. You can use self-created codes using iCheckQR, Code 128, Code 39…

Can I use an office printer to print the code?

→ Absolutely.Just make sure:

Resolution from300 DPI or higher
The image file isPNG, SVG or PDF
Black ink, clear paper on white background

Does each product need a unique code?

→ Yes.Each barcode should represent 1 product or 1 variation (color, size...) for easy inventory management and accurate sales.

8. Conclusion

Creating barcodes for products is a simple step but brings great efficiency in managing goods, improving professionalism and increasing brand reputation. Whether you are an individual selling online, a small shop or a newly started business, you can create barcodes for free using online tools, Excel or design software - it only takes a few minutes to operate.