How to Create UPC Barcodes That Scan Every Time

Adding a Universal Product Code (UPC) to your packaging is essential for selling in retail and tracking inventory efficiently. UPCs are among the most recognized and widely used barcodes, and if your product will be sold in stores or through online retailers, having an accurate, scannable UPC is critical.

At Inovar Packaging Group, we frequently assist brands in preparing their packaging for retail compliance—especially when it comes to barcode placement, print quality, and sizing. Here’s a straightforward guide to help you understand what UPCs are, how to get one, and how to use them properly on your label.

A UPC is a 12-digit code represented by a pattern of vertical black lines and white spaces. Each number corresponds to a specific product type and is unique to your item. When scanned at checkout, the UPC pulls up pricing, product details, and inventory data.

However, the physical barcode you add to your label must not only be accurate—it must also meet print specifications to ensure it scans correctly and doesn’t interfere with your label design.

To get started, you need to license a UPC number through GS1 US, the global standards organization responsible for issuing unique product identifiers.

GS1 will help you:

Avoid purchasing UPCs from unofficial resellers, as this can lead to duplication or issues with retailer acceptance.

Once you have your UPC, you’ll need to size it properly on your label to ensure readability and scan accuracy. These are the industry standard dimensions:

Proper scaling is important, especially if your label needs to fit smaller packaging or curved surfaces.

To ensure scannability, barcodes require “quiet zones” or clear space around all sides of the graphic.

We recommend maintaining at least 0.25 inches of space around the entire UPC. This helps prevent interference from nearby text, design elements, or die lines.

If you’re unsure how to incorporate the barcode into your label layout, our prepress experts at Inovar can handle it for you. We can:

If your label design doesn’t accommodate the UPC, we can also produce a separate barcode label that’s discrete but compliant.

Once your barcode is placed, we highly recommend a press proof to ensure print accuracy. This step verifies that your UPC prints at the correct size, is crisp and legible, and meets retail scanning standards. If you’d like to preview your label before final production, we also offer 3D rendering services to help visualize how the finished label will appear on your container.

The Inovar Packaging team has supported thousands of brands in preparing their labels for retail success. Whether you need help generating barcodes, reviewing placement, or selecting the right materials for your product label, we’re here to guide you through it all. Contact us with questions or reach out to your Inovar representative to get started.