What you will need
Before generating a label sheet, you need two things:
- A list of barcode values - these could be product SKUs, serial numbers, bin numbers, or any other identifiers you want to scan.
- The barcode format - for stock room use, Code 128 is the standard choice. It handles any combination of letters and numbers, encodes the data densely, and every scanner in every warehouse and logistics system reads it.
If your barcodes are already in a specific format (EAN-13 for retail, for example), use that format instead. Code 128 is the right default when you are defining your own numbering system.
Choosing the right label sheet format
The barcode label sheet generator supports the most common Avery label formats:
- Avery 5160 (3×10, 30 per sheet): Small labels, 63.5 mm × 25.4 mm. Good for product labels, bin labels, and file labels.
- Avery 5161 (2×10, 20 per sheet): Larger labels, 101.6 mm × 25.4 mm. More space for a larger barcode and readable text.
- Avery 5163 (2×5, 10 per sheet): Full-address size, 101.6 mm × 50.8 mm. Good for pallet labels or cases.
- A4 3×8 (24 per sheet): A metric A4 equivalent for markets that use A4 paper rather than US Letter.
For most stock room bin labels or shelf labels, Avery 5160 or the A4 equivalent is the right choice. For pallet labels, use a larger format.
Generating the sheet
Open the barcode label sheet generator. Paste your barcode values into the input field, one per line. Select the barcode format (Code 128 for most stock room applications) and the label sheet layout.
The tool renders a preview of the sheet as you enter values. When the preview looks correct, click Print Sheet to open the sheet in a new window and send it to your printer. Alternatively, use Download HTML to save the layout and print it later.
Code 128 for stock room barcodes
Code 128 is the right format for most stock room labelling because:
- It supports the full ASCII character set - numbers, letters, spaces, and special characters.
- It encodes data efficiently, so a typical SKU or bin number (6–12 characters) produces a compact barcode that prints clearly on a small label.
- It is a universal format. Every handheld scanner, mobile scanning app, and warehouse management system reads Code 128 without any special configuration.
For pure-numeric data (serial numbers, bin numbers with no letters), Code 128 automatically switches to a numeric-only encoding mode that is even more compact.
Designing your numbering system
If you are creating a new labelling system from scratch, keep the identifiers short and systematic:
- Use fixed-length identifiers if possible: 6-digit bin numbers, 8-digit SKUs. Fixed length makes the barcodes predictable in size on the label sheet.
- Avoid special characters that might confuse some older scanning apps: stick to uppercase letters, numbers, and hyphens.
- If your system needs to distinguish between types (bins vs. products vs. locations), use a prefix: B-001234 for a bin, P-001234 for a product.
The shorter the code, the more compact the barcode and the easier it is to scan on a small label.
Printing
Use a laser printer for stock room labels. Laser-printed barcodes are more durable and resistant to smudging than inkjet. Many inkjet inks smear when wet or handled repeatedly.
Print on Avery-compatible label stock. The label sheet generator is calibrated to standard label dimensions, but always test-print on plain paper first: place the plain-paper printout over a sheet of labels and hold it up to a light to confirm the barcodes align with the label boundaries before printing on the actual label stock.
After printing, scan one label from the printed sheet with the actual scanner you will use in the stock room (not a phone app). Confirm the scanner reads the correct value. Only then print the full batch.
Managing label sheets at scale
If you are managing a stock room with hundreds or thousands of SKUs, a spreadsheet export workflow is the most efficient approach:
- Export your SKU list from your inventory system as a CSV or plain text file.
- Open the CSV, copy the barcode column, and paste it into the label generator.
- Print the required number of sheets.
The label generator handles any number of barcodes - if you paste 50 values, it fills multiple sheets automatically and shows you the total sheet count in the preview.