How to Generate and Print Sequential Barcode Labels for Product Tracking and Inventory Management

Serial number barcode labels are a highly effective method for product identification and inventory management. They are widely used in industries like electronics, automotive, and pharmaceuticals to provide unique product identifiers for end-to-end tracking, from production to sales. This improves efficiency, reduces costs, and enhances the customer experience.

So, what are serial number barcode labels? Where are they used, and how can you generate and print them?

1. What Are Sequential Barcode Labels?

Serial number barcode labels are used to assign a unique identifier to each product or item for individual tracking and identification. They typically contain a unique serial number, represented as both a barcode and readable text which helps with both human readability and automated scanning.

Barcode serial numbers are usually composed of a unique combination of numbers, letters, or alphanumeric characters, generated according to the company's internal coding rules.

They typically include information such as product model, production batch, and date. Much like an ID card for a product, these numbers are unique and non-repetitive, typically generated using specialized software.

The barcode is often printed below or beside the serial number, making it easy for quality control, warehousing, or after-sales personnel to obtain the product's production date, configuration information, etc., by inputting or scanning the barcode.

Here are some common types of serial number barcode formats:

● Code 128

Code 128 is one of the most widely used serial barcode formats due to its versatility and ability to encode a large amount of data. It's often used in shipping and inventory management because of its high data density.

● QR Code

QR codes with serial numbers are growing in popularity, especially in industries like electronics and automotive. A QR code serial number allows businesses to pack a significant amount of information into a small, scannable square, perfect for mobile scanning.

● Data Matrix

The Data Matrix barcode is another common choice for serial number barcode labels, especially in healthcare and pharmaceuticals. It's small in size but holds a lot of information, which is ideal for marking small items.

2. Applications of Sequential Barcode Labels

Serialized number barcode labels are widely used across industries, helping businesses achieve product traceability, regulatory compliance, and counterfeit management. Common use cases include:

● Electronics

Each electronic component can be affixed with a barcode or QR code to facilitate granular management, inventory checks, and quality traceability. For complete products, serial numbers can be linked to production records, test data, and warranty information, simplifying after-sales service and data analysis.

● Pharmaceuticals

Ensures traceability for batches of drugs, complying with regulatory standards, and making it easier to track shipments and dose distribution.

● Automotive

Helps trace the source of parts throughout the manufacturing process. If a quality issue arises, the SN barcode enables quick identification and resolution.

● Food and Beverage Industry

Effectively tracking the production date, expiration date, and ingredient information of each batch, ensuring product quality stability and preventing expired products from entering the market.

● Retail and Fashion

In retail, sequential barcode labels aid in inventory tracking and counterfeit prevention. High-end fashion items often have serial number stickers to verify authenticity.

3. How to Generate and Print Serialized Barcode Labels

For manufacturing companies, generating and printing sequential barcode labels is a standardized process involving several key steps:

● Select the Barcode Type

Choose the appropriate barcode type based on your needs, such as Code 128, QR code serial number, or Data Matrix.

● Determine Serialization Rules

Common serialization rules include simple increments, date codes combined with batch numbers, or alphanumeric combinations.

● Generate the Serial Numbers

Most enterprises use ERP systems or specialized software to automatically generate and record unique serial numbers based on strict serialization rules, enabling end-to-end tracking from production to sales.

● Design the Serial Number Barcode Labels

Convert the generated serial number into barcode symbols using specialized software.

The barcode design will depend on the product and packaging size. Set the serial number sticker size, position, and other necessary information (such as product name, specifications, production date, brand logo) on the template.

● Print the Serialized Barcode Labels

In factory settings, bulk or continuous printing of SN barcodes typically requires a robust industrial serial number sticker printer. Select 300 dpi or 600 dpi industrial printers based on the size and resolution requirements of the sequential barcode labels to be printed.

The HPRT Grand 600 dpi thermal printer is ideal for printing micro barcodes and QR codes with serial numbers for industries like electronics and precision instruments.

It supports multi-column printing and can run 24/7 without interruptions, making it a perfect fit for high-intensity, large-volume tasks in factories and production lines.

● Test and Validate

Use a barcode scanner to verify that the printed labels are readable and that the serialization rules are correct.

Sequential barcode labels are a key tool for modern businesses to achieve refined management. With digital transformation accelerating, serial number barcode labels play an increasingly vital role in companies' digitization processes. They tightly link physical products to digital data, providing a solid foundation for companies' data-driven management.

With HPRT sequential barcode label printing solutions, businesses can effectively build smart supply chains, improving inventory, production, and logistics management.  Whether you're a small business or a large-scale manufacturer, our serial number sticker printers can meet your needs. Contact us today to learn more!