The Basics of UPCs

If you’ve purchased a product lately, chances are it was outfitted with a UPC code somewhere on the packaging. Most adults know that these little barcodes are important and are how the product is “rung up” and recognized by cash registers, but you may know little else about how these important labels work. At A-1 Business Supplies, UPCs are some of our most popular products, as we offer low-cost UPCs to meet the needs of all our customers. Read on to find out more about how UPCs work and how to make them work harder for you!

UPC Basics UPC stands for Universal Product Code, but the UPC wasn’t always so universal! In fact, these got started at grocery stores, but the process was so successful that it spread through the retail industry. How do they all stay the same? The Uniform Code Council, or UCC, manages all of these different codes, including a manufacturer identification number and the specific codes for the product. The manufacturer’s identification card makes up the first 6 numbers of the UPC, then a 5-digit number for the item or product, and the last number is a check digit, made up of a mathematical formula that ensures the numbers were scanned correctly. There are more details but the basics here should get you started.

Why buy UPCs? Many new entrants to business wonder why a firm would need to buy UPCs—after all, shouldn’t this be a part of your packaging? Sometimes this is the case, but for custom products or repackaged warehouse goods, you need to label your product again with a UCC-compliant UPC code (keeping those acronyms straight?). This means that your product complies with the standard sizing, numbering, and values so it can be “read” or translated into useful data by any of the popular scanners that are available to use with these products. Fortunately, A-1 offers no plate or copy charges for certain orders, making your UPC needs easier than ever!

Ready to start marking your products effectively and compliantly today? A-1 can help! Contact our team today to find out how to save money on bulk UPC orders in New Jersey!