In our previous article, we tackled the relevance of packaging labels in the whole supply chain. It gave us an overview of what are the different packaging label types and what are their common applications. One of the most common applications is for shipping labels that enables it to be identified easier as the packages or items are moved in the supply chain.

In this article, we’ll give an overview of methods to generate the barcodes and what are the things required to be able to prepare and generate the labels. Generating labels can be done in a multitude of ways using software tools that can be accessed online or downloaded and installed to desktops. Some of these applications are free while most of it are paid software that have more software features available. The higher the subscription plans, more features are unlocked. Each approach has its own advantages and disadvantages and we’ll highlight these in articles that focus on each method.

Here’s the list of methods to generate barcodes. This is not an exhaustive list of barcode labeling approach but feel free to add comments on each approach that you think should be included in our review.

  1. Document editor software and its add-ons:
    1. Microsoft office applications with add-ins and fonts
    2. Google docs with Avery Add-on
  2. Barcode Label Software:
    1. Labeljoy
    2. Bartender
    3. Wasp
    4. Zebra Designer Pro
    5. Teklynx
    6. Nicelabel
    7. Loftware
  3. E-commerce platform provider and plugins
    1. Shopify shipment label app
    2. Woocommerce shipping label
    3. Volusion shipping labels
    4. Bigcommerce via Shipping easy integration
    5. Hybris commerce via process weaver
    6. Magento integration with multi-carrier providers
  4. Carrier generated labels
    1. Create shipment label from carrier website
    2. Integrate with carrier API
  5. Multi-carrier shipping software providers
    1. Shipstation
    2. Shipping Easy
    3. Ship works
    4. Stamps.com
    5. Ordoro
    6. Shippo
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We can say that whichever method is used, to generate labels, we’ll need:

  1. Label Media – this refers to printer paper that drives the size, number of labels per page that will serve as the base structure of label layout design. Each label media provider have standard label size and number of labels per standard print paper size (example A4, Letter, etc.). Barcode software typically have thousands of label layouts that users can simply call out in the software and prepare the layout design.
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2. Datasource – This can be data directly from a flatfile, database, address book or custom API. This helps reduce time to generate labels for bulk printing of labels. This virtually eliminates the need copy and paste data from the source to its position in the label.

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3. Label Layout – this is comprised of static (field labels) and dynamic (field values) layout element.

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In next articles, we’ll explain the concept of how labels are prepared though the various methods. We’ll also illustrate how to prepare the labels in some of the methods mentioned above. Those topics may serve as a guide as you kickstart using this software. We’ll also cover key considerations and use case for each method.