Barcode Labels for Every Industry & Application
Explore our barcode labels for reliable, easily scannable identification – available in any size and any thermal label material to suit your requirements, plain or printed.
High-Quality Plain or Printed Labels Designed for Performance
At Labels Plus, we produce custom barcode labels for businesses across the UK – from small retailers printing shelf edge labels to large-scale manufacturers tracking products across complex supply chains.
We produce millions of barcode labels every year across a wide range of materials, sizes and formats. Whether you need your barcode labels on rolls, sheets or fan-folded, in paper or specialist durable materials, we can produce barcode labels to your exact specification with fast turnaround and competitive pricing.
Not sure where to start? Get in touch and our team will help you identify the right material, adhesive and format for your application.
Barcode Symbology We Support
We produce barcode labels compatible with all major barcode symbologies used across the UK and internationally, including:
EAN-13 & EAN-8
The standard retail barcodes used on consumer products sold in UK supermarkets and retail stores. If you need to obtain a barcode range for your products, you’ll need to register with GS1 UK – we can advise on this process and produce graphical versions of your barcodes for testing and printing.
Code 128
A versatile, high-density barcode widely used in logistics, shipping and warehouse management systems. Supports alphanumeric data and is compatible with most scanning systems.
Code 39
Commonly used in automotive, defence and healthcare industries. A reliable, widely supported symbology suitable for a range of identification and tracking applications.
QR Codes
Two-dimensional barcodes that store significantly more data than standard linear barcodes. Increasingly used for product traceability, marketing, authentication and consumer-facing applications.
GS1 UK is actively promoting GS1-powered QR codes as the next generation of retail barcodes, with adoption expected to grow significantly over the coming years as retailers and brands prepare for the transition away from traditional EAN barcodes.
Data Matrix
Compact two-dimensional barcodes used extensively in healthcare, pharmaceuticals and electronics where small label sizes are required.
ITF-14
Used for outer case labelling and carton identification in retail supply chains. Compatible with GS1 standards for shipping and logistics.
If you use a symbology not listed here, get in touch – we work with all major barcode systems and can advise on the right approach for your application.
Barcode Label Formats
Roll Labels
Barcode labels on rolls are the most common format for businesses running thermal transfer or direct thermal label printers.
Available in any width and length to suit your printer and application, roll labels are ideal for high-volume barcode printing in warehousing, logistics, retail and manufacturing environments.
Sheet Labels
Barcode labels on A4 sheets are compatible with standard laser and inkjet office printers, making them a practical choice for lower-volume applications or businesses that print barcodes on demand without specialist equipment.
Available in a wide range of configurations to suit your printer and label size requirements.
Fan-Folded Labels
Fan-folded barcode labels are an alternative to roll labels for businesses using industrial label printers.
The fan-fold format feeds cleanly through the printer without the need for a roll holder, making them a practical choice for certain warehouse and production line environments.
Industries We Supply Barcode Labels To
Barcode labels are used across almost every sector. We regularly supply barcode labels to businesses in:
Retail & E-Commerce
Product labelling, shelf edge labels, price labels and despatch labels for online orders.
Logistics & Warehousing
Shipping labels, pallet labels, location labels and asset tracking labels for distribution centres and fulfilment operations.
Healthcare & Pharmaceuticals
Patient identification, sample tracking, medication and equipment labels produced to the precision healthcare environments require.
Food & Drink
Manufacturing batch coding labels, traceability labels and outer case labels for food production and distribution.
Manufacturing & Engineering
Asset labels, component identification labels, work-in-progress labels and compliance labels for production and quality control processes.
Automotive
Part identification labels, serialisation labels and compliance labels compatible with automotive industry standards.
Barcode Label Materials
Choosing the right material ensures your barcode labels remain scannable throughout their intended lifespan. We produce barcode labels in a range of materials to suit different applications and environments:
Standard White Paper: Suitable for indoor applications where labels are unlikely to encounter moisture, chemicals or extreme temperatures. A cost-effective option for retail shelf labels, office use and short-term product identification, also used for shipping, address and box identification.
Thermal Transfer Paper: Designed for use with thermal transfer printers using TT ribbons.
Produces a durable, long-lasting print that resists smudging, moisture and general handling. The most widely used material for barcode labels in logistics, warehousing and manufacturing.
Polypropylene (PP) Film: A waterproof, tear-resistant film suitable for labels exposed to moisture, chemicals or medium- to long-term outdoor conditions.
Recommended for products stored in cold or wet environments.
Polyester (PET) Film: A highly durable, chemical-resistant material suited to harsh industrial environments.
Recommended for asset tracking, equipment labelling and applications where labels need to withstand extreme temperatures or aggressive cleaning processes.
High-Temperature Materials: Specialist materials designed for labels that need to withstand very high temperatures, such as those used in automotive, manufacturing or sterilisation applications.
Get a Quote for Your Barcode Labels
Ready to order or want to discuss your requirements first? Get in touch with the Labels Plus team – we produce millions of barcode labels every year and have the experience to help you find the right solution for your application.
Everything You Need to Know
Frequently Asked Questions About Barcode Labels
1. Do I need to register for a barcode before ordering labels?
If you’re selling products through UK retailers or online marketplaces, you’ll need a GS1-registered barcode – these are the EAN-13 barcodes you see on consumer products.
You can apply for a barcode range through GS1 UK at gs1uk.org. Once you have your barcode numbers, we can produce graphical versions, carry out scannability testing and print your barcode labels.
If you’re using barcodes for internal tracking only, such as warehouse locations or asset management, you don’t need GS1 registration and can use any compatible symbology.
2. What's the difference between thermal transfer and direct thermal barcode labels?
Thermal transfer labels use a ribbon to transfer ink onto the label surface, producing a durable print that resists heat, moisture and UV exposure when used in conjunction with the correct ribbon.
They’re the right choice for labels that need to last – asset tracking, product identification and long-term logistics labels. Direct thermal labels use heat-sensitive paper that reacts directly to the print head – no ribbon needed.
They’re faster and more cost-effective for short-term applications like shipping labels, receipts and temporary identification, but the print will fade over time, particularly in direct sunlight or indoor lighting.
3. Can you produce barcode labels with sequential numbering?
Yes – we can produce barcode labels with sequential numbering, whether that’s a simple numeric sequence or a more complex alphanumeric format.
Sequential numbering is commonly used for asset tracking, serialisation, patient identification and product traceability.
Get in touch with your requirements and we’ll advise on the best approach.
4. Can you test barcode scannability before delivery?
Yes – we carry out compatibility testing to ensure barcode labels meet the required grade before despatch.
This is particularly important for labels destined for retail supply chains where barcode quality standards are enforced by retailers.
5. What size should my barcode labels be?
Barcode label size depends on the symbology, the amount of data encoded and the scanning distance.
A barcode needs to be large enough to be reliably scanned by the equipment used in your application – too small and scan rates drop, too large and they won’t fit your product or packaging.
If you’re unsure, send us your barcode data and scanning environment details and we’ll recommend the right dimensions.
6. Can I get a sample before placing a full order?
Yes – we can produce sample barcode labels so you can test and check the material and print quality in your environment before committing to a full run.
What our clients say