Barcodes are used on the product packaging of just about every product you buy. They are also used for inventory tracking and are used expensively in the parcel delivery service by multi-national companies the world over.
A barcode is a way of adding data or information to an item without the need for a written list of instructions. It is essentially just a set of thick and thin parallel lines which can be interpreted by a barcode scanner so that a unique code or reference can be used to attach other information to it.
Most barcode labels are printed directly onto a product at the time of manufacture, but you can also get aftermarket barcode labels and sticky-backed barcode labels which can be stuck onto a product or product packaging at any point in the product’s lifecycle. This can prove especially useful if an item needs to be tracked or traced.
Cheap aftermarket barcode labels provide an effective way of adding a unique identifier to a product or package. They are simply a sticky paper label which can easily be read by a barcode scanner. If you need something more durable there are a range of other options also available where the barcode is not susceptible to rubbing or water damage.