How to Make a Barcode for Etsy Products: Seller's Guide

Etsy doesn't require barcodes. If you only sell on Etsy's marketplace, you can skip them entirely — Etsy identifies products with its own listing IDs, and you can add optional SKUs for your own tracking. But the moment you expand to Amazon, pitch to retail stores, or fill wholesale orders, you'll need UPC-A or EAN-13 barcodes registered through GS1. This guide covers when you actually need barcodes as an Etsy seller, how to get them, and how to generate the graphics for free.

Do You Need Barcodes? A Quick Decision

If your answer is "Etsy only," you can stop reading. Use Etsy's built-in SKU field for inventory tracking and save the $250 GS1 registration fee for product development.

If you sell through any additional channel — or plan to within the next year — keep reading.

Step 1: Register with GS1

GS1 is the global organization that manages product barcodes. Your GS1 Company Prefix is the foundation of all your product barcodes — it identifies your company within the global system.

How to Register

1. Go to gs1us.org (US sellers) or your local GS1 organization
2. Click "Get a Barcode" or "Get Started"
3. Choose a prefix capacity based on how many products you sell

Pricing (GS1 US, 2026)

Most Etsy sellers start with the 10-product prefix. Remember: each variation (size, color, scent) counts as a separate product. A candle in 3 sizes and 4 scents = 12 products, which means you'd need the 100-product tier.

Why Not Use a Barcode Reseller?

Third-party sites sell individual barcodes for $5-$30 each. Tempting, but risky:

• Amazon verifies barcodes against the GS1 database and rejects unregistered codes
• Walmart, Target, and major retailers require GS1 registration
• Resold barcodes may be duplicates or recycled from other companies
• You have no control over the prefix — if the reseller loses their GS1 membership, your barcodes become invalid

For a detailed walkthrough of GS1 registration, see our guide on how to get a barcode for your product.

Step 2: Assign Product Numbers

Your GS1 Company Prefix is a set of leading digits. You fill in the remaining digits to create a unique number for each product.

How Product Numbers Work

A UPC-A barcode has 12 digits:

[Company Prefix] + [Product Code] + [Check Digit]

Example: If your company prefix is 081234500, you assign product codes like:

The last digit (check digit) is calculated automatically by the barcode generator.

Rules for Assigning Numbers

• One barcode per variation: Different size, color, scent, or material = different barcode
• Never reuse numbers: If you discontinue a product, retire its number permanently
• Track in a spreadsheet: Record which number maps to which product — GS1 doesn't do this for you
• Keep it simple: Assign numbers sequentially (001, 002, 003...) rather than trying to create meaningful codes

Step 3: Generate Barcode Graphics

Once you have your product numbers, generating the actual barcode graphic takes about 30 seconds per product.

For North American Retail (UPC-A)

1. Open our UPC-A Generator
2. Enter your 11-digit number (the generator calculates the 12th check digit)
3. Download as SVG for packaging design or PNG for label printing

For International Retail (EAN-13)

1. Open our EAN-13 Generator
2. Enter your 12-digit number (the generator calculates the 13th check digit)
3. Download your barcode

Both formats work globally — see our EAN-13 vs UPC-A comparison for details on when to use which.

Download Format Guide

For more on file formats and print settings, see our free barcode generator guide.

Step 4: Add Barcodes to Your Products

Option A: Print on Packaging

If you have custom packaging (boxes, bags, sleeves), include the barcode in your packaging design file. Place it on the back or bottom of the package on a flat surface.

Requirements:

• Minimum size: 80% of nominal (about 29.8mm wide × 20.7mm tall for UPC-A)
• Quiet zone: Leave at least 9 modules of blank space on each side
• Contrast: Dark bars on light background (black on white is the safest choice)
• Flat surface: Barcodes on curved surfaces or seams scan unreliably

Option B: Adhesive Labels

For handmade products without custom packaging, barcode sticker labels are the practical choice:

1. Buy blank label sheets compatible with your printer (Avery 5160 or similar)
2. Design a label with the barcode, product name, and price
3. Print and apply to each product

Option C: Hang Tags

For jewelry, clothing, and accessories, print the barcode on a hang tag along with your brand name, size, and price. Attach with string or a tag gun.

What About Internal Inventory (No Retail)?

If you just want to track your own inventory without selling through retail channels, skip GS1 entirely. Use Code 128 barcodes with your own numbering scheme:

1. Create your own product codes (e.g., LAV-SM-001 for small lavender candle)
2. Generate barcodes with our Code 128 Generator
3. Print labels and stick them on storage bins, shelves, or product packaging
4. Scan with any barcode scanner or our web scanner to look up products

Code 128 encodes any text — letters, numbers, and symbols — so you can use descriptive codes that make sense for your workflow. No registration, no fees, and it works for any internal purpose.

Amazon-Specific Requirements

Since many Etsy sellers also sell on Amazon, here are Amazon's barcode rules:

• Amazon requires a GTIN (Global Trade Item Number) for most product listings — this is the number encoded in your UPC-A or EAN-13 barcode
• Amazon checks GTINs against the GS1 database — reseller barcodes often fail verification
• You can apply for a GTIN exemption for handmade or private-label products in some categories, but approval isn't guaranteed
• If exempt, Amazon uses its own FNSKU labels — but you still can't sell through other retail channels without a GS1 barcode

Common Mistakes Etsy Sellers Make with Barcodes

Buying from barcode resellers: Saves money upfront, causes rejection at Amazon and major retailers later. Invest in GS1 registration from the start.

Using one barcode for multiple variations: Every size and color needs its own number. A retailer's inventory system can't distinguish "small" from "large" if both scan to the same barcode.

Forgetting the check digit: The last digit of a UPC-A or EAN-13 is a calculated check digit, not a number you choose. Let the generator calculate it automatically.

Printing too small: Barcodes that are too small or too low-contrast won't scan at retail checkout. Stick to the minimum sizing requirements and test scan before printing a batch.

Waiting until a retailer asks: If you're pitching to stores or applying for wholesale accounts, have barcodes ready. Retailers expect barcoded products — showing up without them signals that you're not retail-ready. See our small business barcode guide for a broader overview of getting started.

Related Guides

• How to Get a Barcode for Your Product — detailed GS1 registration walkthrough
• EAN-13 vs UPC-A — which retail barcode format to choose
• Free Barcode Generator Guide — all formats, output options, and print tips
• Small Business Barcode Guide — broader guide to barcodes for growing businesses
• Barcodes for Amazon FBA — Amazon-specific requirements and FNSKU labels