Inventory labels with Code 128 barcodes

Why Code 128 for inventory

Code 128 accepts letters, numbers and symbols, has variable length and is very compact, so a reference like INV-001000 or B-12-04 fits in little space. Almost every warehouse scanner reads it. For internal use you don't need to register the codes anywhere: each numbering scheme is yours.

Number things properly from the start

• A prefix that means something: INV- for inventory, SHF- for shelves, BOX- for boxes.
• Leading zeros: INV-001000 sorts correctly in any spreadsheet; INV-1000 doesn't always.
• Never reuse a number. If an item leaves the inventory, its code leaves with it.
• Reserve ranges by area: 1000-1999 for warehouse A, 2000-2999 for B…

How to generate a series from 1000 to 1200

1. In step 1, in “Many labels” mode, open “Series”.
2. Type the prefix (INV-), the start number (1000) and the end number (1200).
3. In “Name” you can use {n} for the number: “Box {n}” generates “Box 1000”, “Box 1001”…
4. Press “Replace table”: the 201 rows are created with their code, already validated.

Code 128 or Code 39

Code 39 is older, only accepts capital letters, numbers and a few symbols, and takes much more width for the same content. If your scanner only understands Code 39 (some industrial equipment), switch with one click; otherwise, choose Code 128.

Size and scanning

To scan well with a laser, the thin bars should measure at least about 0.19 mm (0.25 mm is better) and the bars should be 6 mm tall or more. The “Inventory / warehouse” template uses a 101.6 × 33.87 mm label (Avery 5162), with the reference in large bold type to read it from afar. Keep in mind that the longer the code, the thinner the bars come out: the tool measures it and warns you.