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Design a GS1-compliant label

A GS1 label encodes structured product data (GTIN, lot, expiry, serial) into a barcode that any global scanner can read. StackedPixels' label editor handles the encoding for you — you just enter the data and pick a layout.

Step 1 — Start a new label

Go to Dashboard → Labels → + Create label. Pick a starter template or start blank.

Step 2 — Choose your barcode type

The toolbar's Barcode menu offers:

  • GS1-128 — most common for shipping and pallet labels. Carries multiple Application Identifiers (AIs) in one barcode.
  • GS1 DataMatrix — square 2D code. Used on small items, pharma especially.
  • GS1 QR — 2D, scannable by phones AND industrial scanners. Becoming the default after the GS1 Digital Link 2027 transition.

Step 3 — Add product data

In the right panel, fill the fields you have:

  • GTIN (Application Identifier 01) — your global product number.
  • Lot/Batch (AI 10) — manufacturing batch identifier.
  • Expiration date (AI 17) — YYMMDD format.
  • Serial number (AI 21) — unique per-unit identifier (used for serialized pharma, electronics).

We auto-format the AIs into the barcode encoding string — you never have to type the parentheses or FNC1 separators manually.

Step 4 — Add human-readable text

Drag text elements onto the canvas for the parts a human will read: product name, brand, weight, ingredients. The barcode handles machine-readable data; the surrounding text is for the customer.

Step 5 — Set size and DPI

Labels are physical objects, so dimensions matter:

  • Size — inches or millimeters. Match your label stock (e.g. 4" × 6" for shipping, 2" × 1" for small product tags).
  • DPI — 300 DPI is the print-shop default. 203 DPI for thermal label printers.

The editor shows you the actual rendered size — what you see is what prints.

Step 6 — Export for printing

  • PDF (recommended) — pre-sized to your label dimensions. Send straight to your printer or print shop.
  • PNG — for digital previews or proofs.
  • Thermal-printer ZPL — for direct-to-printer streaming (Zebra and compatible).

Verifying the barcode

Before you commit to a print run, scan the test print with any GS1-compatible scanner app on your phone. The decoded payload should match the data you entered — same GTIN, lot, expiry. If it doesn't, the Report a bug tab catches it.

What to do next

  • Save as template. Reusable layouts live under Labels → Templates so the next product label takes 30 seconds.
  • Connect to a GS1 code. Dashboard → GS1 lets you generate verified GTINs and link them straight into a label.