Which barcode do I need?
Barcodes can be confusing at first. We have put together this quick-reference guide to help you determine exactly which type of barcode you need for your specific product.
| Product Type | Required Barcode |
|---|---|
| Alcohol | EAN |
| Art books (includes illustrated books with a title page and/or text or captions) | ISBN |
| Asset tracking | Code 39 or Code 128 Barcodes |
| Artwork | EAN |
| Atlases | ISBN |
| Audiobooks | ISBN |
| Board games, jigsaws | EAN |
| Book (published, includes Braille, hardback, paperback, e-book) | ISBN |
| Book (non-published, includes colouring book, crossword, sudoku) | EAN |
| Brochures and pamphlets | ISBN |
| Calendars | EAN |
| Compact discs (CDs) | EAN (Use an ISBN Barcode if the CD is prose or educational) |
| Clothing & Footwear | EAN |
| Comic books | ISBN |
| Cosmetics | EAN |
| Coupons | EAN (Please check with the specific retailer you wish the coupon to be used in) |
| DVDs | EAN (Use an ISBN if they are educational) |
| Electronics | EAN |
| Electronic newsletters / e-zines | ISSN |
| Flash cards | EAN |
| Food | EAN |
| Garden products | EAN |
| Graphic novels | ISBN |
| Greeting cards | EAN |
| Historical documents | ISBN |
| Homewares | EAN |
| Journals and diaries |
EAN (for non-published use) ISBN (for historical or published diaries) |
| Library systems | |
| Magazines | ISSN |
| Maps | ISBN |
| Medicines | EAN |
| Music (tracks or albums, not sheet music) | EAN |
| Pamphlets | ISBN |
| Pictures and photographs | EAN |
| Postcards | EAN |
| Posters and art prints | EAN |
| Serials (magazines, periodicals, etc.) | ISSN |
| Serial annual publications (e.g. yearbooks, directories, monographs-in-series) | ISSN |
| Sheet music | ISMN issuer in India |
| Software | EAN |
| Stationery items | EAN |
| Supplements & Vitamins | EAN |
| Tools | EAN |
| Toys (including stuffed animals) | EAN |
Still not sure?
If your product is not on this list, or you need to clarify international requirements, our team is happy to help.
Contact Our Experts