DEV Community: süleyman

How to Register for a GS1 Barcode (Step-by-Step Guide

süleyman — Sun, 05 Apr 2026 11:08:38 +0000

If you're planning to sell products online (especially on Amazon), you've probably come across something called a GS1 barcode.

At first, it sounds complicated.

But it’s actually simpler than most people think.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through:

What GS1 is
Why you need it
And how to register step by step

What is GS1?

GS1 is a global organization that issues official barcode numbers used in retail and e-commerce.

These barcodes are required if you want to sell products on platforms like:

Amazon
Walmart
Retail stores

Without a valid GS1 barcode, your product might get rejected.

Why GS1 Matters

You might find cheaper or even free barcode generators online.

But here’s the problem:

👉 Most marketplaces verify barcodes against the GS1 database.

If your barcode is not registered:

Your listing may be removed
Your product might not be trusted
You could face account issues

Step-by-Step: How to Register for GS1

1. Go to your local GS1 website

Each country has its own GS1 branch.

Search for:
“GS1 registration [your country]”

2. Create an account

You’ll need to provide:

Business name
Contact information
Company details

3. Choose a barcode package

GS1 usually offers plans based on how many products you have.

For example:

10 barcodes
100 barcodes
1000 barcodes

4. Pay the registration fee

GS1 is not free.

You typically pay:

Initial registration fee
Annual renewal fee

5. Get your barcode numbers

Once registered, you’ll receive your official barcode numbers (GTINs).

What to Do After You Get Your Barcode

After getting your GS1 number, you still need to:

Convert it into a scannable barcode (EAN / UPC)
Use it on packaging or listings

This is where many people get confused.

Generating the Barcode

Once you have your number, you can turn it into a barcode using simple tools.

I actually built a small tool for this exact use case:

👉 https://barkodkarekod.com/

It:

Runs 100% in your browser
Doesn’t store your data
Supports EAN-13 and UPC
Doesn’t require signup

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Buying cheap barcodes from unofficial sellers
Using random generators without GS1 registration
Not matching barcode data with your product

Final Thoughts

GS1 might feel like an extra step, but it’s essential if you’re serious about selling products.

Once you understand the process, it becomes straightforward.

And after that, generating and using barcodes is the easy part.

If you're currently working with barcodes or selling on Amazon,
I'd love to hear your experience 👇

Why Most QR Code Generators Are a Trap (And What to Use Instead)

süleyman — Mon, 30 Mar 2026 04:07:24 +0000

If you've ever searched for a QR code generator, you’ve probably noticed something strange.

Most of them are not actually free.

At first, everything looks simple:

Enter your URL
Click generate
Download your QR code

But then comes the catch.

The hidden problem

Many QR code tools generate dynamic QR codes.

This means:

Your QR code depends on their servers
They track scans
They can disable your QR anytime
And usually… they start charging later

So what happens?

You print your QR code, use it in your business…
and months later:

👉 It stops working.

Static vs Dynamic QR Codes

Here’s the key difference:

Static QR codes:

Work forever
No tracking
No dependency
Fully offline once generated

Dynamic QR codes:

Require backend
Can expire
Often paid
Track users

For most people (especially small businesses),
static QR codes are more than enough.

Why this matters

Imagine using a QR code on:

Product packaging
Business cards
Restaurant menus

If it breaks, you lose trust instantly.

That’s why choosing the right generator is critical.

What to look for in a QR generator

Before using any tool, check:

Does it require signup?
Does it store your data?
Does the QR code expire?
Is it truly static?

If the answer is unclear → avoid it.

A simpler approach

I recently built a small tool for myself that does things differently:

Runs 100% in the browser
No backend at all
No signup
No tracking
QR codes never expire

It’s minimal, but it solves the core problem.

👉 https://barkodkarekod.com/

Final thoughts

QR codes should be simple.

You shouldn’t have to worry about:

subscriptions
tracking
or broken links

Sometimes the best solution is just:
keep it simple and keep it yours.

Would love to hear your experience with QR tools.
Have you ever had a QR code stop working?

How to Generate Amazon FBA Barcodes (Step-by-Step Guide)

süleyman — Mon, 23 Mar 2026 18:05:02 +0000

If you're selling on Amazon FBA, generating the correct barcode is one of the most important steps.

But it can be confusing at first.

Here’s a simple step-by-step guide to help you do it correctly.

Step 1: Choose the Right Barcode Type

Amazon supports:

UPC
EAN-13
FNSKU

👉 If you're a private label seller, FNSKU is recommended

Step 2: Prepare Your Product Information

Before generating a barcode, make sure you have:

Product identifier (UPC or EAN if required)
Product name
Listing details

Step 3: Generate the Barcode

Instead of using complex tools, you can generate a barcode instantly in your browser.

Here’s a simple tool:

👉 https://barkodkarekod.com/en/amazon-fba-label-size-guide.html

Supports EAN-13, UPC, Code128 and more.

Step 4: Download and Print

Make sure your barcode:

Is high resolution
Printed clearly
Has correct dimensions

Recommended size:

Minimum: 1 x 2 inches
Standard: 2 x 3 inches

Step 5: Apply to Your Product

Place barcode on flat surface
Avoid curves or folds
Cover any existing barcode

Common Mistakes to Avoid

❌ Using low-quality images
❌ Wrong barcode format
❌ Multiple barcodes visible

Bonus Tip

Always test your barcode before shipping:

✔ Scan with your phone
✔ Verify product match

Final Thoughts

Generating Amazon FBA barcodes doesn’t have to be complicated.

Once you follow the right steps, the process becomes simple and repeatable.

If you're selling on Amazon, what was the hardest part for you when generating barcodes?

What is FNSKU? (Amazon Barcode Explained for Beginners)

süleyman — Mon, 23 Mar 2026 17:47:59 +0000

If you're selling on Amazon FBA, you've probably seen the term FNSKU and wondered:

👉 Is it different from UPC or EAN?
👉 Do I really need it?

Let’s break it down simply.

What is FNSKU?

FNSKU stands for Fulfillment Network Stock Keeping Unit.

It’s a unique barcode used by Amazon to track your products inside their fulfillment centers.

FNSKU vs UPC vs EAN

UPC / EAN → Provided by manufacturers
FNSKU → Generated by Amazon

👉 The key difference:

FNSKU is unique to your seller account

Why Amazon Recommends FNSKU

Using FNSKU helps:

Avoid product mix-ups
Prevent other sellers from using your listing
Keep inventory separated

When Should You Use FNSKU?

You should use FNSKU if:

✔ You’re doing private label
✔ You want full control over inventory
✔** You use Amazon FBA**

Common Mistakes

❌ Using UPC instead of FNSKU
❌ Printing low-quality labels
❌ Wrong barcode size

How to Generate a Barcode Easily

If you need a quick way to generate barcodes for your products, you can use this:

👉 https://barkodkarekod.com/en/ean13-barcode-generator.html

No signup, runs in your browser.

Final Thoughts

FNSKU might seem confusing at first, but it's actually simple:

👉 It’s just Amazon’s way of uniquely identifying your product.

If you're selling on Amazon, are you using FNSKU or UPC?

How I Built a Barcode & QR Code Generator with No Backend (Vanilla JS)

süleyman — Sun, 22 Mar 2026 05:09:18 +0000

Most barcode generators I found online had the same problems:

👉 Too many ads
👉 Slow performance
👉 Required signup

So I decided to build my own.

But with one rule:

👉 No backend. Everything runs in the browser.

The Idea

I wanted a tool that:

Works instantly
Requires no login
Runs entirely client-side
Supports multiple barcode formats

Tech Stack

I kept it as simple as possible:

Vanilla JavaScript
HTML + CSS
No frameworks
No API calls

Everything is generated directly in the browser.

Supported Formats

The tool currently supports:

EAN-13
Code128
UPC
QR codes (WiFi, URL, email)

How It Works

Instead of sending data to a server:

User enters input
JavaScript generates the barcode
It renders instantly on screen
User downloads it

No requests, no latency.

Why No Backend?

I chose this approach for a few reasons:

Speed

No API = instant response

Privacy

User data never leaves the browser

Simplicity

No server = less maintenance

Challenges I Faced

Barcode accuracy

Ensuring the generated barcodes are scannable and valid

Cross-device support

Making it work smoothly on mobile

Performance

Keeping everything lightweight

What I Learned

You don’t always need a backend
Simpler solutions often perform better
UX matters more than complexity

Try It Yourself

I made the tool public here:

👉 https://barkodkarekod.com

It runs entirely in your browser.

What’s Next?

I’m currently improving it for:

Amazon FBA barcode requirements
Better label sizing
More export options

If you’ve built something similar or have ideas to improve it, I’d love your feedback 👀

EAN-13 vs UPC: Which Barcode Should You Use? (Complete Guide

süleyman — Sun, 22 Mar 2026 04:13:32 +0000

If you're working with barcodes, you've probably asked:

👉 Should I use EAN-13 or UPC?
👉 Are they the same?
👉 Which one does Amazon require?

Let’s break it down in the simplest way possible.

What is EAN-13?

EAN-13 (European Article Number) is a 13-digit barcode used internationally.

It’s the most common barcode format worldwide and is widely accepted in retail systems.

Example:

1234567890123

What is UPC?

UPC (Universal Product Code) is a 12-digit barcode mainly used in the United States and Canada.

Example:

123456789012

Key Differences Between EAN-13 and UPC

Can You Convert UPC to EAN-13?

Yes.

EAN-13 is basically a UPC with a leading zero.

So:

UPC: 123456789012
EAN-13: 0123456789012

This is why many systems treat them as compatible.

Which Barcode Should You Use?

Use EAN-13 if:

You sell internationally
You want global compatibility

Use UPC if:

You sell mainly in the US/Canada
Your supplier already provides UPC

What About Amazon FBA?

Amazon accepts both.

However:

👉 Many sellers end up using FNSKU instead of UPC/EAN

Because:

It uniquely identifies your product
Prevents listing conflicts

Common Mistakes to Avoid

❌ Using the wrong barcode format
❌ Generating low-quality images
❌ Printing incorrect sizes

These mistakes can cause serious issues in logistics and scanning.

Try It Yourself (Free Tool)

If you want to generate EAN-13 or UPC instantly, you can use this:

👉 https://barkodkarekod.com/en/ean13-barcode-generator.html

No signup, no backend — runs directly in your browser.

Final Thoughts

EAN-13 and UPC are very similar, but choosing the right one depends on your use case.

If you're unsure:
👉 Go with EAN-13 (more flexible globally)

If you're working with barcodes or selling on Amazon, I'm curious:

Which format are you currently using — EAN or UPC?

How to Generate Amazon FBA Barcodes (EAN-13, UPC) – Step by Step

süleyman — Sat, 21 Mar 2026 20:44:30 +0000

If you're selling on Amazon FBA, you've probably faced this problem:

👉 Barcode requirements are confusing
👉 Label sizes are unclear
👉 UPC vs FNSKU? Not obvious

I ran into the same issues, so I decided to break it down in a simple way.

What is an Amazon FBA Barcode?

Amazon uses barcodes to track your products in their fulfillment centers.

There are two main types:

UPC (Universal Product Code) → provided by manufacturer
FNSKU (Fulfillment Network SKU) → generated by Amazon

In most cases, Amazon prefers FNSKU because it uniquely identifies your product.

Amazon FBA Barcode Requirements

To avoid issues, your barcode must follow these:

Size: typically between 1 x 2 inches and 2 x 3 inches
Must be clearly printed (high contrast)
Only one scannable barcode should be visible
Must match the product listing exactly

Common Mistakes

Many sellers get this wrong:

❌ Using low-quality barcode images
❌ Printing incorrect label sizes
❌ Leaving multiple barcodes visible on packaging

These can cause delays or even inventory rejection.

How to Generate a Barcode (The Easy Way)

Instead of dealing with complicated tools, you can generate barcodes instantly in your browser.

I built a simple tool for this:

👉 https://barkodkarekod.com/en/ean13-barcode-generator.html

It supports:

EAN-13
Code128
UPC
QR codes

No signup, no backend — everything runs client-side.

Bonus: Choosing the Right Barcode

Use UPC if you already have manufacturer codes
Use FNSKU if you're doing private label (recommended for FBA)

Final Thoughts

Amazon FBA barcodes don’t have to be complicated.

Once you understand the basics, it becomes a simple process:

Choose the right barcode type
Generate it correctly
Print with proper size

If you're working on FBA or building tools in this space, I’d love to hear your experience.

What’s the most confusing part about Amazon barcodes for you?

Why I Ditched Modern Frameworks for a High-Performance Multilingual Utility (100/100 Lighthouse)

süleyman — Sat, 21 Mar 2026 17:33:41 +0000

Hi everyone! I just hit a major SEO milestone with www.barkodkarekod.com and wanted to share why Vanilla JS was the key:
100/100 Performance: Ditching frameworks gave me a perfect Lighthouse score. Speed is the best UX.
SEO Power: Already reached Google Page 3 for global 'Amazon FBA' keywords with 112 indexed pages.
New Feature: Added a real-time 'Validate' tool so users can verify QR codes instantly.
For simple utilities, sometimes 'No-Framework' is the ultimate competitive advantage.
What’s your take on Vanilla JS for production in 2026?