Barcodes are everywhere — on products, packages, tickets, and inventory systems. But not all barcodes are the same. Using the wrong type can cause scanning failures or rejected shipments.
How Barcodes Work
A barcode encodes data as a pattern of parallel bars of varying widths. A scanner reads the contrast between dark bars and light spaces and decodes it back into data. Encoding rules differ between formats — choosing the right one matters.
Common Formats Explained
Code 128
The most versatile format — encodes all 128 ASCII characters (letters, numbers, symbols). Used in shipping labels, inventory management, ID badges, and any application needing text encoding.
Best for: General-purpose barcoding, shipping, internal systems.
EAN-13
International retail standard encoding exactly 13 digits. Found on products sold worldwide (except North America). Includes country code, manufacturer code, product code, and check digit.
Best for: Retail products sold internationally.
UPC-A
North American retail standard encoding 12 digits. Used in the US and Canada. Technically a subset of EAN-13.
Best for: Retail products in US/Canada.
QR Code
Two-dimensional codes storing up to 4,296 characters. Scannable with any smartphone camera. Used for URLs, Wi-Fi credentials, contact info, payments, and tickets.
Which Format Do You Need?
- Selling in stores? → EAN-13 (international) or UPC-A (US/Canada)
- Shipping? → Code 128
- Internal inventory? → Code 128
- Linking to a website? → QR Code
Generate Barcodes on FileZone
- Open the Barcode Generator
- Select format (Code 128, EAN-13, UPC-A, etc.)
- Enter the data to encode
- Adjust size and options
- Click Process
- Download as high-resolution PNG
Print Quality Tips
- Print at minimum 300 DPI
- Maintain quiet zones (blank space) on both sides
- Use high contrast — black on white is most reliable
- Test with a scanner before bulk printing