What is a GS1 barcode?

GS1 is the global, not-for-profit organisation that sets the standards behind the barcodes used in retail, healthcare and logistics. A company joins GS1 to get its own product numbers, called GTINs (Global Trade Item Numbers).

A standard retail barcode, such as an EAN-13 on a supermarket product, holds only the GTIN. A GS1 barcode can hold the GTIN plus extra information about that exact item. Each piece of information starts with a short code in brackets called an Application Identifier (AI), which tells the scanner what the data is:

• (01) - the GTIN, 14 digits
• (17) - the expiry date, as YYMMDD (271231 is 31 December 2027)
• (10) - the batch or lot number
• (21) - a serial number

So (01)09501101530003(17)271231(10)LOT2410 means "this product, expiring 31 December 2027, from batch LOT2410". You type the brackets so MegaEdit knows where each piece starts. They aren't stored in the code itself, but they're shown in the text printed under the barcode so people can read it.

Retailers, wholesalers and healthcare buyers often ask their suppliers for GS1 barcodes, because they track stock, expiry dates and recalls by scanning them.

Which GS1 type to use

• GS1 128 - a linear (striped) barcode, common on cartons, pallets and shipping labels.
• GS1 DataMatrix - a small square 2D code that holds the same data in much less space. It's common on healthcare products and small items.
• GS1 DataBar Expanded - a linear barcode that till scanners can read, often used on fresh food with a weight, price or best-before date.
• GS1 DataBar Expanded Stacked - the same barcode split over several rows, for narrow labels.

If you're not sure, ask your customer which type their trading partner scans.

What it does

• GS1 barcode types in the editor - GS1 128, GS1 DataMatrix, GS1 DataBar Expanded and GS1 DataBar Expanded Stacked, alongside the standard types (EAN, UPC, Code 128, QR Code and more).
• Several pieces of data in one code - each value follows its GS1 Application Identifier, such as (01) for the GTIN, (17) for the expiry date and (10) for the batch number.
• Ready on the template - save the barcode as the product default, and every customer starts with it on their design.
• Customers can update it - for example, a new batch number for each print run.

How it works

• MegaEdit product > Scripts tab - tick Barcode Field to add the Add Barcode button to the editor.
• Barcode Field > Config - { "showExtendedBarcodes": true } adds the GS1 types.
• Editor > Fields > Add Barcode - choose the type, enter the value, then Menu > Save as product default.

Good to know

• The Add Barcode button is on the editor's Fields tab. That tab only shows when the template lets customers add text or images.
• If the value isn't valid GS1 data, the barcode is left blank and no message appears. Check the brackets around each identifier, the length of each value and the GTIN's check digit.
• Enter the full 14-digit GTIN, including its check digit. MegaEdit checks the check digit but doesn't calculate it for you.
• Keep Auto scale ticked. The GS1 types ignore Width and Height, so with Auto scale off the barcode can come out very small.
• Encoding mode, Rectangular and Quiet Zone apply to the standard types only. For space around a GS1 barcode, use Barcode Padding.
• The readable text under the barcode is on by default. Untick Show Human Readable to hide it.
• Leave the Barcode Field config in place once you've used the GS1 types. If you remove it, any GS1 barcodes already on designs go blank.
• Use your own GS1-registered GTINs, and test-scan a printed proof before a full run.

For the standard barcode types and all of the Barcode Field settings, see Enabling and utilising barcodes in MegaEdit. For batch barcodes, see Using MegaEdit Batch Mode to Update Barcodes.