How to print barcode labels for your shop: thermal rolls and A4 sheets

When a delivery arrives, the useful question is not just “Can I print a barcode?” It is “Will this label identify the right item when someone scans it at the counter?” Start with the product record and work through the paper, layout and test print in that order.

1. Check the product before printing the label

Confirm the product name, pack size or variant, barcode and current selling price. If a box and an individual unit are separate items, check which one the label represents. A clear label on the wrong product still produces the wrong bill.

• Use the intended product barcode, preserving any leading zeroes.
• Check the MRP and selling price separately; they may differ.
• For goods tracked by lot, verify the lot and dates for the batch you are labelling.
• Keep the existing manufacturer identifier when that is the code used in your catalogue.

2. Choose thermal rolls or A4 label sheets

Thermal rolls suit a counter that regularly prints product stickers. In Cartix Label Studio, the roll profile records the label dimensions, columns, gaps and margins. Save a printer profile for the device you will use, then pair it with the correct roll.

A4 sheets offer another route when you already have a laser or inkjet printer. Open A4 label sheets from the Cartix barcode print screen. Match the layout to the actual paper or adhesive sheet. A sheet of pre-cut stickers needs the correct row and column spacing, not just the same outer paper size.

An A4 sheet layout and a thermal-roll profile are different setups. Measure your stock and use the matching print workflow. Printer hardware and label consumables are separate from the Cartix software licence.

3. Choose a template that fits the information

In Label Studio, open Templates & designer. Start from a built-in layout or create one with the dimensions of your label. Add the product name, price and barcode, leaving enough room for each. Save the template so the next delivery uses the same layout.

Do not squeeze a long name, two prices and several dates onto a small sticker by shrinking everything. Remove optional fields or use larger stock. Keep the barcode and its clear space away from text, borders and the edge of the label.

4. Prepare and preview the batch in Cartix

1. 1Open Print labels in Label Studio and find a product or variant by name, barcode or product code.
2. 2Add the required items and set the label quantity for each one. Review any manually entered label fields.
3. 3Select the template, saved printer profile and roll profile for thermal printing.
4. 4Prepare the physical preview and resolve any reported layout or printer issues.
5. 5Check the preview against the loaded stock, then print a small sample before the full batch.

5. Scan the sample before you print the rest

At the counter, scan the sample and confirm the product, variant and price. If the label includes a price override entered for printing, verify it against the catalogue: changing a printed label field is not a substitute for updating the product record.

GS1’s barcode-quality guidance highlights clear space around the code, contrast, symbol size and print quality. Keep those checks in mind when a label looks correct but scans unreliably. A clean black barcode on a light background is a useful starting point.

• Labels drift across the roll: recheck columns, gaps, margins and media settings.
• A4 rows miss the sticker edges: compare the sheet measurements and printer scaling settings.
• The scanner reads the code but the wrong item appears: inspect the barcode-to-product mapping.
• Labels look faded or broken: inspect the consumable and print quality before retrying the batch.

Bring your printer details to the demo

Share your printer model, label dimensions, number of labels across the roll and a typical product name with the Cartix team. A sample based on your own stock is more useful than a generic “printer supported” answer. Cartix supports a Windows-driver route and supported TSPL2 setups; the physical result still needs checking on the device.