Shopify barcode label FAQ

LabelCraft - barcode labels for Shopify that print at exactly the size you set.

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The guarantees behind every label

Exact to ±0.1 mm

Every label prints at the size you set - measured, not approximate.

Never a silent failure

Overflow or a missing barcode always raises a visible warning before you print.

Whole-dot barcodes

Modules snap to your printer's dots, so codes stay crisp and scan first time.

Your barcodes, untouched

We never overwrite or reassign a product's existing barcode.

Quick answers to the questions Shopify merchants ask most often about printing barcode labels. Each answer links to a fuller guide when you want the complete walkthrough.

Does LabelCraft generate barcodes, or only print existing ones?

Both. LabelCraft prints the barcodes already on your products, and it can generate the ones that are missing - EAN-13 / GTIN-13 from your own GS1 company prefix, or internal Code 128 identifiers when you don't need a retail GTIN. A dry-run preview shows exactly which variants will get a new code before anything is written back to Shopify, so nothing changes silently. See products without barcodes.

What is the difference between a SKU and a barcode?

A SKU is your own internal code for a variant; a barcode is a scannable number, usually a GTIN such as EAN-13 or UPC-A, that a scanner reads at the till or in receiving. You can print either or both on a label, but only a real barcode value scans. See SKU vs barcode.

Will my labels print at the exact size of my label stock?

Yes. LabelCraft renders every PDF to the exact physical size of your label, accurate to within 0.1 mm, so printing at 100% with no “fit to page” scaling lands the artwork precisely on the stock. If a design would ever overflow its label, LabelCraft warns you instead of silently cropping it. See print at actual size.

Why isn't my barcode scanning?

The usual causes are a barcode printed too small, too little quiet zone (the white margin around it), or a template resolution that doesn't match the printer so the bars land off its dot grid. LabelCraft checks the scan-readiness of every barcode before you print and flags any that are too narrow. See why a barcode won't scan and 203 vs 300 DPI.

Do I need a special printer to use LabelCraft?

No. LabelCraft produces a standard PDF that prints on any printer, and it also speaks ZPL for Zebra-style thermal printers. Built-in presets cover common Dymo, Zebra, Brother, Rollo, Munbyn and Avery stock, and you can build fully custom templates in millimetres. See printer compatibility.

How many labels does LabelCraft print per variant by default?

Zero. You fill in only the quantities you actually want, instead of starting from one-per-variant and zeroing out hundreds of rows you don't need. You can bulk-set quantities from live inventory, or save a named selection and replay it in one click. This is the single biggest difference from Shopify's built-in Retail Barcode Labels app. See the full comparison.

Can I print labels from a supplier list or an incoming transfer?

Yes. Paste or upload a CSV with a SKU or barcode column plus a quantity, and LabelCraft matches it to your products and builds the print run; it tells you about any line it could not match instead of dropping it silently. You can also print as you receive an inventory transfer. See receiving barcode labels.

Can I move my barcodes and workflow over from Stocky?

Yes. LabelCraft imports a Stocky or supplier export directly, recognises its columns, and flags common spreadsheet problems - like a barcode mangled into scientific notation by Excel - before you commit the import. See the Stocky alternative.

What barcode formats does LabelCraft support?

The common retail and logistics symbologies: EAN-13, UPC-A, EAN-8, Code 128 and GS1-128, plus internal Code 128 for in-house identifiers. LabelCraft validates a barcode's check digit and length and tells you when a value can't be encoded, so a broken code never prints unnoticed. See GS1 barcodes.

Is LabelCraft free?

There is a free plan that prints up to 200 labels per month, with no feature trial limit. Pro is a flat 9.99 USD per month for unlimited labels and the brand-kit options. You can start on the free plan and upgrade only if you outgrow it.

Install free - 200 labels per month →

More guides: printer compatibility, barcode won't scan, receiving labels - or contact LabelCraft support.