Warehouse labels
How to Create Barcode Labels for Warehouse Bins and Shelves
A warehouse location barcode identifies a place, not the product currently sitting there. A good bin or shelf label uses a stable location code that your WMS or inventory system understands, remains readable to people and scans reliably from the distance staff actually work at.
Updated September 14, 2026
Create a short, stable location ID such as A-04-C-12, encode that exact value in a format your warehouse scanners support—often Code 128 for a new internal system—print the same ID as human-readable text, and test the final label on the real rack or bin. Do not encode the product GTIN as the location barcode because products can move while the location identity should remain stable.
Step 1: Define a location ID that will not change when stock moves
A location code should identify the physical slot: zone, aisle, rack, level, shelf or bin. The exact hierarchy is yours, but it should be unique and consistent. Examples include A-04-C-12 or PICK-07-03.
Keep product identity separate. The item in a location may change tomorrow; the location barcode should still resolve to the same physical place.
Step 2: Choose the barcode your scanners support
For an internal warehouse location code, Code 128 is usually a practical 1D starting point because it handles alphanumeric identifiers efficiently. Code 39 can be correct in an established legacy workflow. QR can work with 2D scanners or phones, but using a richer symbol is unnecessary if the job is simply to return one location ID.
If you are implementing a GS1 logistics specification, follow the required GS1 carrier and Application Identifier rules instead of substituting generic Code 128.
Step 3: Design for the scan distance, not just the sticker size
- Print the location code in large readable text so staff can recover when scanning fails.
- Keep clear space around the barcode and avoid borders or graphics crowding the symbol.
- Use durable material appropriate for dust, abrasion, cold or cleaning chemicals in the location.
- Place the label where the scanner has a clear line of sight and staff do not need to bend or twist unnecessarily.
- Test the label at the real scan angle and distance before producing the full warehouse set.
Step 4: Generate many warehouse location labels from a spreadsheet
Warehouse locations are usually already listed in a WMS export or spreadsheet. Put one location ID per row, preserve the exact text and generate the barcodes in bulk. BarcodeBatch Excel Bulk can generate Code 128 images from an XLSX without sending the workbook to a server.
Step 5: Test the complete put-away and picking workflow
A barcode that scans in isolation can still fail operationally if the WMS expects a different location token or workers scan the wrong label first. Test receiving, put-away, replenishment and picking with real devices before treating the location-label design as final.
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
Should a warehouse bin barcode contain the product barcode?
Usually no. The bin label should identify the location itself. Product barcodes belong to the items and can move between locations.
What barcode type should I use for shelf locations?
Code 128 is a strong default for a new internal alphanumeric location system, but the scanner and WMS requirements take priority.
Can I use QR codes for warehouse bins?
Yes if your devices support 2D scanning and the workflow benefits from QR. For a short location ID, a simple 1D barcode may be easier and sufficient.
Can I create all bin barcodes from Excel?
Yes. A spreadsheet with one location code per row can be used to generate Code 128 barcodes in bulk with BarcodeBatch Excel Bulk.
Sources & standards
Technical claims in this guide are checked against primary or official documentation where available.