Logistics
ITF-14 vs. GS1-128: Which Barcode for Your Cartons?
When labeling a shipping case, you have two main choices: ITF-14 and GS1-128. Let's break down which one to use and when.
ITF-14: For Simple Carton Identification
The **ITF-14 (Interleaved 2 of 5)** barcode is specifically designed to be printed on corrugated cardboard. Its thick 'bearer bars' provide structural support and ensure scannability even with poor print quality.
- Purpose: Encodes a 14-digit GTIN to identify a case containing a specific product (e.g., a case of 24 cans of soup).
- Best for: Printing directly on a box, when you only need to identify the product inside.
- Limitation: Can only contain one piece of information (the product's GTIN).
GS1-128: For Detailed Logistics Information
The **GS1-128** barcode is part of a larger shipping label that contains much more information than just the product type. It uses Application Identifiers to encode the GTIN, batch/lot number, expiration dates, and more into a single barcode.
- Purpose: Provide detailed, standardized logistics information for a specific shipment.
- Best for: Pallet labels and cartons when required by a trading partner (like a major retailer or distributor) for advanced inventory management.
- Limitation: More complex to create and requires a full shipping label, not just a single barcode.
The Verdict
The choice depends on what information you need to convey:
- If you just need to identify a carton of a single product (e.g., 'this is a case of our red t-shirts'), use **ITF-14**.
- If your customer or a logistics partner requires detailed information about the specific contents of a carton (batch number, expiration date, etc.), you must use a **GS1-128** label.