1 Comment for How is it that no barcode is the same? What about online barcode generators?

• 1. Lisa  |  January 3rd, 2010 at 8:53 am

  I would not advise making up your own barcode to use for Walmart.

  First you should be certain that your album is going to be accepted into Walmart or any other major retailer. Until that point, I wouldn’t worry about a barcode because they are expensive. Registering for your own barcode(s) start at around 750 then you have to pay annual fees and until you are ready, willing and able to spend that I would hold off.

  Have you already submitted your items to retailers and been given the green light to proceed? When you have, then visit GS1 US (GS1 US is the only authorized source in the U.S. to get authentic U.P.C. barcodes) . You will fill out an application, they will ask questions like annual sales, what type of business and product type, how much products you expect to have…so on, then they take your money, give you a prefix, and set you up. From there you will be able to get your own barcode for each product you make by inputting info about the item, GS1 will generate a code for you using your prefix. Each time you make a new product, you will go there to get a new code. I think the fee allows for about 100 barcodes, but I believe they have different price levels.

  You posted another question about whether each individual album will need its own number….You will make one barcode for each product. Example…You make an album called “My Music”, every copy of the CD “My Music” will have the same barcode because it is the same product. BUT, if you made two different media types…CD and Vinyl of the same album “My Music”, you would need two different barcodes because it is technically 2 different products.

  Now, there are tons of companies that say they can help you with your barcode needs. What they really only do is give you software that generates the image and helps you print it on a label to slap onto your item. These companies CANNOT assign a number to you. You have to already have a number to input. So beware of all software sales until and unless you need it. You can also check out the GS1 USA website @ gs1us.org/ – also you can look them up on wikipedia for some info.

  Good Luck, hope this helps. If you need more info, ask.

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