GS1 Bar Codes
5 simple steps to Bar Coding your products
Step 1: Take a close look at what you wish to bar code. Determine the number of products you have, how they are packed, their size, whether they are sold by unit or by weight and where they are to be sold, as each of these issues may affect the number type you require.
Step 2: Prepare the necessary pack of documents for membership in GS1 Bulgaria and send them, either by post or by currier, to our office address. Transfer the necessary amount for the subscription fee
Should you require further assistance when determining your requirements, please do not hesitate to contact GS1 Bulgaria by email gs1bulgaria@gs1bg.org or call our Helpdesk on 02/988 31 39.
Step 3: When your application has been approved and processed by GS1 Bulgaria you will receive at the corresponding address a Membership Pack containing:
- a letter with unique Prefix Numbers allocated to your company
- General User Manual
- GTIN Allocation Manual
- Rules of GS1 Bulgaria
- Original Invoice for the transferred sum.
When applying merely for GTIN-8 or GLN the Membership Pack contains:
- a letter with the allocated GTIN-8 or GLN
- Rules of GS1 Bulgaria
- Original Invoice for the transferred sum
Note: Keep all bar code related documents in a safe place. Maintain an accurate record of the bar codes you have generated and to which products they have been allocated.
Step 4: There are three methods for placing a barcode symbol:
- a) by incorporating the symbols into your packaging artwork or on the label;
- b) by using sticker labels with a borcode;
- c) by printing directly onto the trade item’s packaging.
Note: Be sure to have samples of your bar code symbols verified before they are printed, to check their quality. It will also be necessary to verify a selection of bar codes during the printing process. This can help avoid costly errors being made.
Step 5: Communicate accurate and detailed descriptions of your products to your customers. These will vary from retailer to retailer but will typically include the products name, description, weight/size, packaging configuration and related bar code details. Many products will have two bar codes associated with them: one for the retail or consumer unit and one for the outer case or traded unit.