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GTIN-14 Barcodes

Everything you need to know!

What is a GTIN-14 (ITF-14)?

GTIN stands for Global Trade Item Number. It is a 14 digit identifier for different levels of packaging for Trade Items. They are often referred to as Master Carton or Case Level barcodes.

Packaging Indicator

Numbers 1 - 8 denote another level of packaging. The number 9 is used for variable measured items.

GS1 Company Prefix

A 7-11 digit number assigned by GS1 to uniquely identify the Brand Owner.

ITF-14 Symbol

The graphic respresentation of GTIN-14 formatted with different size black and white lines. (Section 5.2 GS1 General Specifications.)

Check Digit

Last digit is calculated value referred to as the Check Digit.

Item Reference

For cartons containing items with the same UPC, the Item Reference is the same as the UPC.

For cartons containing items with different UPCs, a new UPC is assigned for the assortment or variety.

How to assign a GTIN-14

The contents of a carton determine how to assign GTIN-14 Number.

Standard or Uniform Carton

Cartons containing more than one of the same Trade Item are Standard Cartons.

  • First digit = Packaging Indicator

    Assign Packaging Indicator (Number 1-8) as first digit to refer to additional level of packaging.

  • Second Digit = First Digit of GS1 Company Prefix

    GS1 Company Prefixes for UPCs always start with a 0.

  • Digits 3 - 13 = UPC Number without Check Digit.

    First 11 digits of UPC on Trade Item inside the carton since Standard Cartons contain items with the same UPC.

  • Last Digit = Check Digit

    Check Digit calculated using first 13 digits. Use our Check Digit Calculator.

Assortment or Mixed Carton

Cartons containing Trade Items with different UPC Numbers are Assortments or Mixed Cartons.

  • First digit = Packaging Indicator

    Packaging Indicator is a 0 for cartons containing a mixed assortment.

  • Second Digit = First Digit of GS1 Company Prefix

    GS1 Company Prefixes for UPCs always start with a 0.

  • Digits 3 - 13 = UPC Number

    New UPC Number assigned as identifier for the assortment since carton contains items with different UPCs.

  • Last Digit = Check Digit

    Check Digit for new UPC Number will be the same since Packaging Indicator is 0.

What's the Difference Between a GTIN-14 and an ITF-14?

The term Global Trade Item Number (GTIN) refers to a Family of GTIN Data Structures used to identify a trade item, or case of trade items. The term was introduced as part of the Sunrise 2005 GTIN Initiative.

Timeline & Background

  • 1974

    The Uniform Code Council (UCC) started issuing 12 digit UPC barcode numbers to companies in the United States for use in retail stores. The UCC was located in Dayton, OH.

  • 1976

    The European Article Numbering Organization (EAN) started issuing 13 digit EAN barcodes numbers to 12 founding member countries outside of the USA. The EAN HQ was located in Brussels, Belgium.

  • 2004

    The UCC and EAN worked together launch the Global Data Synchronization Initiative (GDSN) which enabled UPC/EAN barcodes to work globally.

  • Current

    GS1 Global currently headquartered in Brussels, Belgium with 116 local member organizations and more than 2 million user companies.

Sunrise 2005 GTIN Initiative: Key Changes

Introduced Universal Terms

  • Trade Item - Any product or service upon which there is a need to retrieve pre-defined information and that may be priced or ordered or invoiced at any point in any supply chain
  • Global Trade Item Number (GTIN) was the new term for the 14-digit data structure to uniquely identify trade items within the EAN\UCC system. This was a new term only, not a standards change.

Global Standards updated to represent a GTIN in a 14-digit database field:

  • A common database length was necessary to support global commerce and different levels of packaging.
  • Create 14 digits by adding zeroes to the front of GTIN data structures which contain only 8-digits, 12-digits or 13-digits. See example.

Variable length GS1 Company Prefixes became available (7 - 11 digits).

  • The Uniform Code Council initially issued all members a six digit UPC Company Prefix Number which would serve as their own prefix to their UPC.
  • Expanding to multiple length prefixes exponentially increased the number of available GTINs which can be assigned.
Example & Review
  • ITF-14
  • =
  • GTIN-14

GTINs are 14 digit when stored in a database. Store an ITF-14 in a GTIN data field without making any changes.

To learn more, download the GTIN Review Deck from Uniform Code Council, Inc.

DOWNLOAD

Traceability Initiatives

GTIN-14 Data Structures are used in conjunction with data fields such as Harvest Date, Expiration Date and Lot Number by utilizing GS1 Data Carriers such as GS1-128 linear and GS1 Data Matrix. These GS1 Data Carriers use Application Identifiers to distinguish and separate data fields to be included with a GTIN Number.

GS1 Application Identifers (AI)

GS1-128 and GS1 DataMatrix barcode symbologies utilize GS1 Application Identifiers to separate data fields.

AI Data Content Data Title
00 Logistic Unit SSCC
01 Trade Item GTIN
02 Trade items contained in a logistic unit CONTENT
10 Batch of lot number BATCH/LOT
11 Production date PROD. DATE
12 Due date for amount on payment slip DUE DATE
13 Packaging date PACK DATE
15 Best before date BEST BY
16 Sell by date SELL BY
17 Expiration date USE BY
20 Internal product variant VARIANT
21 Serial number SERIAL
30 Quantity QTY

  • Produce Traceability Initiative (PTI) Carton Label

  • FDA Unique Device Identifier (UDI)

Contact us for assistance with all your GTIN-14 barcoding needs.
We are barcode standards experts!

What's the best label size for
a GTIN-14 (ITF-14) barcode?

The minimum size for an ITF-14 barcode is determined by whether or not it is printed directly on corrugate, or printed on a label which is affixed to a carton.

Printed on Label

ITF-14 barcodes printed on a label which are affixed to a carton, are permitted to be smaller than ones printed directly onto corrugate.

Printed on Corrugate

ITF-14 barcodes printed directly on corrugate need to be large to ensure they have an acceptable minimum ISO/ANSI Print Grade. This is due to low print resolution and ink spread when printing directly on corrugate cardboard.

  • Most Popular ITF-14 Label Size (62.5%)

    4.0" x 2.0"

    This label size accommodates a 62.5% size ITF-14 barcode which is the ideal size for ITF-14 printed on a label.

    Labels Printed on Rolls
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    Labels Printed on Sheets
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  • Smallest ITF-14 Label Size (50%)

    3.0" x 2.0"

    This label size accomodates a 50% size ITF-14 barcode which is the smallest size ITF-14 barcode printed on a label (for outside carton).

    Labels Printed on Rolls
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  • Largest ITF-14 Label Size (100%)

    6.0" x 4.0"

    This label size accomodates a 100% size ITF-14 barcode.

    Labels Printed on Rolls
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    Labels Printed on Sheets
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  • Walmart General Case Label

    4.0" x 3.0"

    Walmart’s Supply Chain Standards includes General Case Marking and Vendor Pack Case label requirements.

    Labels Printed on Rolls
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All ITF-14 labels offered on our site adhere to the GS1 General Specifications for use on outside of cartons. For assistance with ITF-14 labels for inner packs Contact Us.
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Placing an Order for Labels

No Artwork or barcode file needed!

To place an order for GTIN-14 labels from Order Barcodes, Inc., only a GTIN-14 Number is required. Our digital printing systems eliminate the need for barcode artwork, and generates perfect barcode images during the print production process.

3 Steps to place an online order

  • Select Your Label Options

    Select label size, material type, and layout options. Start your order now

  • Provide Necessary Label Data

    Enter GTIN-14 number and confirm last (check) character (far right) matches last number of GTIN-14. Enter label quantity and description/s.

  • Go Thru Checkout Process

    Calculate freight and delivery options, provide contact information, enter payment information and Confirm Order!

After order is placed, a press ready proof will be created for approval prior to printing.

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