Barcode Label Examples for Every Industry

Retail Product Labels

Retail shelf and price labels are the most widely recognised type of barcode label. In the United States the standard is UPC-A (12 digits); everywhere else the world uses EAN-13 (13 digits). Both formats are scanned at point-of-sale systems by every major retailer, and the two are compatible — an EAN-13 code beginning with 0 is identical to a UPC-A code.

A typical retail product label is designed to be read quickly by a cashier scanner or a self-checkout machine. The barcode sits centrally on the label, with a short product name and the retail price printed in human-readable text directly beneath it.

The most common sheet-label size for retail use is the Avery 5160 (1" × 2-5/8", 30 labels per sheet), which fits neatly on a standard shelf edge. Thermal roll labels at 1.5" × 1" are widely used for price-gun application.

Clothing and Garment Tags

Clothing labels need to survive handling, folding, and sometimes travel through a supply chain before reaching a consumer. Code 128 is the preferred format for internal inventory and wholesale distribution because it encodes alphanumeric SKUs like "JACKET-NVY-L" compactly without requiring a GS1 registration. Brands selling into major retailers or onto Amazon will need UPC-A or EAN-13 instead.

A garment hang tag typically includes the barcode on one side and brand / care information on the reverse. For a deeper dive into format selection and label materials for apparel, see our dedicated guide: Barcode Labels for Clothing: Garment Tag Guide.

Hang tags typically measure 2" × 3.5" or 2.25" × 1.25". For thermal roll printers, a 2" × 1" label keeps the tag small enough for accessories and jewellery while remaining scannable.

Food and Beverage Labels

Food labels have stricter requirements than most other industries. In addition to the barcode itself, regulatory authorities in most markets require net weight, ingredients, allergen declarations, and best-before dates on the primary label. The barcode on a food product is almost always EAN-13 for international trade, or UPC-A for the US domestic market.

Material choice is critical: food packaging is frequently exposed to moisture, condensation, and refrigeration. A standard paper label will peel or smear. Look for polypropylene or polyester thermal labels with a permanent adhesive rated for low temperatures. For MRP-compliant price stickers for packaged food sold in India, see our guide on MRP Sticker with Barcode.

Warehouse and Inventory Labels

Warehouse labels are built for function, not aesthetics. They need to be readable at arm's length, scannable by a handheld or forklift-mounted scanner in low light, and durable enough to survive a busy picking environment. Code 128 is the industry default because it handles the alphanumeric location codes and SKUs found in most WMS (warehouse management system) environments.

Labels are typically printed large — a 4" × 6" direct-thermal label is standard for bin and shelf identification. Font sizes of 14 pt or larger for the human-readable text ensure workers can verify the label without scanning. Laminated or synthetic labels are used in cold-storage or high-humidity warehouses.

Shipping and Logistics Labels

Shipping labels are some of the most standardised barcode labels in existence. Major carriers (UPS, FedEx, USPS, DHL) each publish exact specifications for label layout, barcode format, and data content. Code 128 is the dominant linear format for domestic tracking numbers; many carriers are also adopting QR codes for supplementary data like return authorisation links.

The universal size is 4" × 6" on a direct-thermal label — this fits every carrier's label template and works with Rollo, Zebra, and Brother thermal printers without any scaling. The label must never be folded over an edge of the parcel, as this prevents scanning.

Library and Asset Labels

Library and internal asset labels are a special case: they do not need to comply with any global standard, so there is no requirement for GS1 registration. Code 39 is the traditional choice for asset labels because it is simple, widely supported by older scanners, and easy to verify visually — every character in a Code 39 barcode has a corresponding human-readable character printed below it. Code 128 is a more compact alternative if label space is limited.

Asset labels are often made from durable polyester or anodised aluminium with an aggressive permanent adhesive. Libraries apply them to book spines; IT departments apply them to laptops, monitors, and printers. The label does not need a price or any consumer-facing information — just the asset ID and the owning department.

Common label sizes for assets are 1" × 2" and 1.5" × 0.5" for small items like cables and peripherals. Tamper-evident void labels are popular for high-value equipment.

Quick Reference Table

The table below summarises the barcode label examples covered in this guide. Use it as a starting point when deciding which format and label size to choose for your use case.

How to Generate Your Labels

Once you know which format and fields your labels need, the fastest way to produce them in bulk is to start from a spreadsheet. Here is the straightforward three-step process:

For a detailed walkthrough of printing from Excel, including how to structure your columns and map them to barcode fields, see How to Print Barcode Labels from Excel or CSV. For a complete overview of every barcode format mentioned in this guide, visit Types of Barcodes: The Complete Guide.