Obtaining a UPC Barcode for Retail Success

    The theories for modern barcodes began in the 1940s. But it was not until the late 1960s that barcodes hit the scene in the retail world. The Kroger grocery company was the first to implement a simple barcode in a retail setting. Visualizing the mass appeal of saving labor costs and increasing efficiency, product developers worked on new barcode configurations. But it was the IBM Universal Product Code (UPC) that was adopted in 1973 as the standard. The UPC is now a commonplace method of tracking millions of products everyday.

GS1 / Uniform Code Council

    The UPC consists of twelve characters representing the product manufacturer, product, and a check digit. The Uniform Code Council, Inc., a non-profit standards organization, manages UPC. In 2005, they changed their name to "GS1 US" but have the same mission.

    To obtain a UPC bar code, you have to become a member of the Uniform Code Council. To become a member you need to fill out an application online. There are many questions you’ll need to answer, such as product type and annual revenue, before they’ll provide a UPC. Expect to pay an initial fee of $750 and up for a block of 100 UPCs, and then a $150 per year renewal fee. After you sign up, you’re assigned an identification number licensed for your company's use. You’ll use this number to create your own UPC.

    If you have just one product, you can obtain a single barcode from a third-party vendor for about $50 to $90. For example, the company Simply Barcodes (www.upccode.net) offers UPC barcodes for $89. They assign you the number and for another $25 generate the barcode artwork. I have not worked with them, so do your homework.

    If your product is a book, you do not need a UPC, but you’ll need to acquire an International Standard Book Number (ISBN) from RR Bowker. ISBNs are issued as a minimum of ten numbers in a block. The fee is currently $225.

Barcode Artwork

     Once you’re assigned a UPC number, add a barcode to the packaging artwork. Some graphic design software applications can create barcodes. If not, you can visit a barcode-generating website. For a small fee ($10 to $30) you enter the code on the website and a barcode graphic file is displayed or emailed to you. Send the barcode graphic file to the graphic designer.

     Many websites are available to generate barcodes. Use a search engine to find them. I’ve successfully creates barcodes from Bar Code Graphics, Inc..

     I suggest testing the barcode before you finalize the packaging. Take a printout of the barcode to a retail store. Ask if they can do a quick scan for you. If it works, the computer screen connected to the scanner will show the barcode’s numbers. If it’s not readable, the print quality of the barcode may not be suitable or the code is incorrect.

Conclusion

     If you sell your product from your website, a barcode is not needed. But, plan ahead with your packaging. Once you decide to sell your product through a retailer, you’ll need to request a UPC from GS1 or an independent barcode website. Then, the cash registers will be lighting-up your product.

Next step: Please see the Invention Success Kit - Self-Marketing Edition.