ReciPal now makes it easy to add barcodes to your labels. We automatically generate unique barcodes for each of your recipes and give you the ability to customize them to fit your needs.

While not required by the FDA, barcodes are an essential element of any retail product. So if you want to sell your products in stores, you’ll need them. In this blog, we’ll show you how to set up barcodes in ReciPal.

When Do You Need a Barcode?

While you can start out selling at farmers markets or your own website without a barcode, most brick-and-mortar retailers require one. Barcodes allow stores to track inventory, set pricing, and streamline checkout with a simple scan.

If you plan to sell at:

• Whole Foods
• Amazon
• Local or national grocery chains

…you’ll need an official barcode that complies with industry standards.

What Is a Barcode, Exactly?

A barcode is a machine-readable image that encodes a number—usually a Global Trade Item Number (GTIN)—into a pattern of vertical lines. When scanned, it instantly pulls up product details like price, name, and inventory status.

Different Types of Barcodes

Feature	Code 128	UPC-A	EAN-13
Data type	Alphanumeric	Numeric only	Numeric only
Length	Variable	12 digits	13 digits
Use case	Logistics, inventory	Retail (US/Canada)	Retail (Global)
Characters supported	128 ASCII characters	0–9 only	0–9 only
Compactness	Very compact	Less compact	Similar to UPC

ReciPal automatically generates a generic Code 128 barcode for every recipe that you create based on your recipe ID. If you’re leveraging barcodes for internal purposes—product identification, inventory tracking, pricing, etc.—then this format likely gives you all the capabilities you need. However, if you’re taking your product into retail stores then you’ll need to get a barcode through GS1.

How Do You Get Barcodes from GS1?

GS1 is the nonprofit organization that manages the system behind the barcodes used in retail, e-commerce, and logistics worldwide. GS1 issues Global Trade Item Numbers (GTINs), which are the unique numbers encoded in retail barcodes. While you can potentially find cheaper deals through resellers, buying directly from GS1 is the best way to ensure that there are no issues or conflicts and you are the only owner of the barcode.

Through GS1 there are two main ways to purchase barcodes:

1. Buy a GS1 Company Prefix (Best for Multiple Products)

• What you get: A prefix that identifies your company, allowing you to generate many unique barcodes (GTINs) under your brand.
• Ideal for: Brands with multiple products or long-term growth plans.
• Cost: Varies based on the number of products (e.g., ~$250 initial + annual renewal fees).

2. License Single GTINs (Best for Just 1 or 2 Products)

• What you get: A single unique barcode number (GTIN) licensed directly to you.
• Ideal for: Startups or businesses with a very small product line.
• Cost: ~$30 per GTIN with no annual renewal fee.

Visit GS1 US (or your country’s GS1 organization) to register.

Keep in mind that every variant of your product will need its own unique barcode. So if you have a number of different flavors and sizes, that can quickly add up. Based on your business plan or product roadmap, it may make sense to buy in bulk so that you’re prepared for future growth.

How Do You Add Barcodes in ReciPal?

Every time you create a new recipe in ReciPal, we automatically generate a Code 128 barcode using your recipe ID. This format can be perfect for internal tracking, inventory, or testing. This barcode will be hidden on your label by default.

To enable/edit that barcode:

• Go to the Label Page in your recipe.
• Open the Label Sections dropdown.
• Click to Unhide the Barcode.
• Select the Edit button.
• Choose your desired barcode type (Code 128, UPC-A, or EAN-13).
• Enter your GTIN (if you have one) or use a custom code.
• Adjust the size and dimensions to fit your label layout.

Final Thoughts

Adding barcode support to ReciPal has been one of our most-requested features—and we’re excited to make your path to retail that much easier.

Whether you’re just getting started or expanding into stores nationwide, we’ve got you covered. And as always, we’d love to hear your feedback as you use this feature.

Have questions about barcodes or labeling? Reach out at info@recipal.com — we’re here to help.