What is a barcode company prefix?

A company prefix enables large organisations to use barcodes with a standard number prefix that is unique to them:

It enables retailers to quickly identify the suppliers of products.

 

Only useful for retailers with large inventory

If you only have a few products, the company prefix is likely unnecessary, but if you have many products, the prefix can help to avoid confusion with retailers.

 

Two ways to secure a company prefix for your barcodes

1. License your barcodes 

Pay expensive joining fees and then pay licensing fees every year for the remainder of your product’s sales-life.

2. Buy barcodes in bulk through International Barcodes Network

Purchase barcodes in bulk from us in blocks of 10, 100, 1000 or 10,000 to secure a company prefix (no joining fee or annual licensing fees).

As far as we are aware, we are the only barcode seller to provide unique company prefixes like this.

NOTE: If you purchase 1 barcode number, then you will not be supplied with a company prefix (no barcode company supplies this).

 

Length of the company prefix

The length of the company prefix depends on how many variations are required to make a total of 13 digits.

Examples:

If you purchase 10 barcode numbers, then of the 13 digits,

• the first 11 will be your company prefix,
• the 12th digit will vary from 0-9, giving you 10 different barcode numbers, and
• the last digit is a calculated checksum.

If you purchase 20 barcode numbers,

• you will have 2 company prefixes (giving 10 barcodes for each).

If you purchase 100 barcode numbers, then of the 13 digits,

• the first 10 will be your company prefix,
• the 11th and 12th digits will vary from 00-99, giving you 100 different barcode numbers,
• the last digit is a calculated checksum.