Barcodes for Shopify inventory and POS: a setup checklist

How scanning works in Shopify

Shopify POS and the Shopify mobile app look up products by the value in each variant's Barcode field. Scan a label and Shopify finds the variant with that exact code. That is why the setup comes down to three things: a code on every variant, no duplicates, and labels that scan as exactly that code.

Checklist

1. Pick a format. Registered GS1 codes (UPC or EAN) if you sell through retailers, internal codes or Code 128 if not. See UPC vs EAN vs GTIN.
2. Give every variant a barcode. Generate them in bulk or import them. See how to add barcodes.
3. Remove duplicates. See find and fix duplicate SKUs and barcodes.
4. Cover new products. Turn on auto-generate so new products and variants never arrive without a code.
5. Print labels that scan. See how to print barcode labels.
6. Test with your scanner. Scan a few labels at the till before labelling the whole shop.

Choosing a scanner

Most USB and Bluetooth barcode scanners that read UPC, EAN and Code 128 work with Shopify POS, because they type the code like a keyboard. If you plan to use QR codes on labels, choose a scanner that reads 2D codes too.

When labels do not scan

• The barcode is too narrow or the print is faint. Make it wider or clean the printer head.
• The code does not match its format, such as an 11-digit UPC. SGT lists these before printing.
• The scanned code exists on two variants. Fix the duplicate.

Prefer video? Watch the 90-second SGT tour on YouTube.