Barcode Labels on Rolls and Sheets

Barcode labels let a scanner identify a product, carton or shelf location in a split second. Etiket.az has been making labels since 2014, and we supply barcode labels on rolls or sheets in any size. We can print codes into the run with your design, or supply branded blank rolls for your own printer.

They belong to our custom product labels range. Most warehouses order them as roll labels, because rolls suit thermal printers best. Below, we also cover code types, stock and barcode numbers.

What barcode labels are used for

At checkout, a cashier scans an item and instantly sees its name and price. In the warehouse, the same code tracks stock and batches. For example, retail labels almost always carry EAN-13, while food producers print the code onto their food labels. Weight and lot numbers also matter for food and beverage labels. As a result, barcode labels replace manual records and cut errors.

EAN-13, Code 128 or QR: which code do you need?

The code type also drives label size. For example, retail chains usually ask for EAN-13. Code 128, however, suits internal tracking because it packs letters and digits into a small space. A QR code does not replace a retail barcode, but it links shoppers to a website.

Thermal labels, paper and synthetic stock

Your stock choice decides how many months the code stays readable. Therefore, first decide where the label will live and what it will face. Then pick a print method: direct thermal or thermal transfer.

Direct thermal labels

Direct thermal labels darken under heat, so the printer needs no ribbon. They are especially cost-effective for courier parcels and scale labels. However, sunlight, heat and grease fade the coating over time, so they do not suit long-term tracking.

Labels for thermal transfer printing

Here, the printer transfers ink from a ribbon onto the label. As a result, codes on paper, polypropylene or PET resist abrasion, moisture and light far longer. We recommend it for shelf labels, asset tags and export cartons.

Choosing barcode label sizes and roll formats

GS1 sets the nominal EAN-13 size at about 37.3 × 25.9 mm, and shrinking it below 80% is not advisable. The GS1 EAN/UPC standard also requires blank quiet zones on both sides. Therefore, the label should be slightly larger than the code. For roll orders, your printer decides the format, so send us:

• Printer model and maximum print width
• Core inner diameter and outer roll diameter
• Gap between labels (typically 2–3 mm)
• Winding direction and labels per roll

Getting a valid barcode number (GS1 Azerbaijan)

We print barcodes, but we do not issue official numbers. In Azerbaijan, GS1 Azerbaijan issues EAN-13 numbers (GTINs). In other words, your company joins, gets its own prefix and numbers each product. Our guide on how to get a barcode in Azerbaijan covers every step. Internal Code 128 numbers, however, need no registration.

How to order barcode labels in 4 steps

1. 1

   Step 1: Brief

   First, send the size, quantity, printer model and code type.

2. 2

   Step 2: Quote

   Then we check the file and quote within 24 hours on business days.

3. 3

   Step 3: Approval

   You approve the proof, and we also recheck the check digits.

4. 4

   Step 4: Production and handover

   Finally, we print and pack the rolls and agree on handover in Baku.

What affects the price of barcode labels

We quote every order individually, because two labels of the same size can differ in price. Lead time also depends on quantity, so the exact date is in your quote. In addition, our guide on what drives custom label cost explains pricing in depth. The main cost drivers are:

• Quantity: the unit price drops as volume grows, since setup costs spread across more labels.
• Stock: thermal paper, polypropylene and PET cost differently.
• Size and shape: a rectangle costs less than a custom die-cut.
• Variable data: unique codes need extra prep.

Barcode labels FAQ

Stock and printing