How to make a barcode – EAN-13, Code 128 and printable labels
Barcodes are useful in shops, warehouses, libraries, for inventory and for shipping parcels. In the PDFowo generator you pick the barcode type, enter the number and we calculate the check digit. Download the code as PNG, vector SVG, a 1:1 PDF or a whole A4 sheet of sticker labels.
- Choose the type
EAN-13 for retail products, Code 128 for warehouses and shipping, ITF-14 for cartons – each button has a short description.
- Enter the number
For EAN, UPC and ITF-14 you do not need to calculate the check digit – we add it or verify the one you type.
- Set the size
By default the code has the standard 100% size. You can add text above the code, such as a product name or price.
- Download and print
Print the PDF and label sheet at 100%. Enter several codes on separate lines or generate sequential numbers.
Which barcode to choose
- EAN-13 – products sold in shops in Europe and worldwide
- EAN-8 – small packages where an EAN-13 does not fit
- UPC-A – retail in the USA and Canada
- Code 128 – warehouses, shipping, serial numbers and inventory; encodes letters, digits and symbols
- Code 39 – older systems, industry, ID badges
- ITF-14 – shipping cartons and pallets
Where to get an EAN number
An EAN barcode for products sold in shops must use a number assigned by GS1, the organisation that runs the system in each country. This guarantees that no other company in the world has the same number. For internal use – in a warehouse, a library or for company assets – Code 128 is a better fit and needs no registration.
How to print a barcode well
- print at 100% – turn off “fit to page” in the print dialog
- a standard EAN-13 (100%) is about 37.3 × 25.9 mm; do not shrink it below 80%
- black bars on a white background work best
- red bars will not scan – the scanner uses red light and cannot see them
- leave an empty margin on both sides of the code
- before printing a large batch, test one code with a scanner or a phone app
A4 sticker labels
The generator has ready layouts for popular sheets: 24 labels 70 × 37 mm, 21 labels 70 × 42.3 mm, 40 labels 52.5 × 29.7 mm and 65 labels 38.1 × 21.2 mm. One code fills the whole sheet; several codes go on separate labels, and extra pages are added automatically.
Frequently asked questions
Is the barcode generator free?
Yes, completely – no account, no watermark and no limit on codes, commercial use included.
How is the EAN-13 check digit calculated?
Digits in odd positions (from the left) are multiplied by 1 and in even positions by 3, then added up and rounded up to the next ten. You do not have to do it by hand – the generator calculates it and warns you if yours is wrong.
Can I make up my own EAN number?
For internal use, yes, but shops and marketplaces require GS1 numbers. A made-up number may belong to another company’s product.
Which file should I send to the print shop?
SVG or PDF – they are vector files, so the bars stay perfectly sharp at any size. PNG is fine for documents and online shops.
Will an ordinary scanner read the code?
Yes. The codes follow the standards, so till scanners, warehouse terminals and phone apps read them.
Is my data sent anywhere?
No. The codes are created in your browser and never reach a server.