Barcodes are used to identify one product or a group of products. In other words, multiple products can have the same barcode number, which is not the case for SKUs.
The barcode field in Thrive is typically used for UPC (Universal Product Code) numbers, which are the barcode numbers printed on products by manufacturers. However, you can use barcodes in different ways depending on your business needs.
Common Ways to Use Barcodes
Find groups of products quickly: Barcode numbers help you locate multiple related products all at once using a single scan or search.
Track manufacturer information: Use barcodes to link products back to their manufacturer or supplier when you need that information.
Mark products for easy lookup: Many businesses use barcodes to "tag" groups of products for quick identification—such as all items from a specific vendor, all seasonal products, or all items in a promotion.
Print a barcode (price tag or label)
Thrive provides you with pre-formatted PDF files for you to print out scannable barcodes.
Read more about supported printers, compatible sizes, supported SKU/barcode formats, and label examples here:
Generating Barcodes
Thrive gives you the ability to generate a Barcode number in UPC-A format (12 digits). Click the button below for more information.
Barcodes vs. SKUs: What's the Difference?
Barcodes: Can be shared across multiple products. Typically used for grouping related items or tracking manufacturer codes.
SKUs: Must be unique to each product variant. Used as your internal identifier for individual items.
Both barcodes and SKUs help you track inventory, but they serve different organizational purposes in Thrive.
Things to Note:
A barcode can contain letters, symbols, and numbers.
Barcodes may be visible to your customers.
Only one barcode can be added to each variant in Thrive.