EAN vs UPC: product barcode differences
EAN and UPC are familiar retail barcode formats associated with different GTIN lengths and common regional usage.
The number identifies a trade item
A retail barcode is the machine-readable symbol; the digits below it represent an identifier. GS1 describes GTIN-12 as UPC and GTIN-13 as EAN (also called JAN in Japan). GTIN-8 is used for smaller products, while GTIN-14 is used for cases and packaging.
The barcode does not itself contain a product name or price. Retail and inventory systems use the identifier to look up the associated item record.
Choose the required format
Use the identifier and symbol format specified by the retailer, supply chain, marketplace, or inventory system. A visually valid barcode is not proof that the number was issued to your organization or is unique in the market.
Prism can render EAN-13, EAN-8, UPC-A, and UPC-E symbols from the data entered. It does not assign GS1 identifiers or verify identifier ownership.
Check the final label
Confirm the number, check digit, print quality, clear margin, and scanner compatibility against the requirements of the organization that will read the label. Test the final printed version, not only the on-screen preview.