This guide walks through the steps required to implement compliant carton barcodes for Pattern Fulfillment's Auto Container Receive (ACR) program.
Before beginning, review the Carton & Barcode Requirements for Pattern Fulfillment article to determine which barcode type is appropriate for your business.
Step 1: Obtain a GS1 Company Prefix
All compliant barcode formats are built using a GS1 Company Prefix.
If you do not already have one:
- Register with GS1.
- Obtain your GS1 Company Prefix.
- Confirm your ERP, WMS, or 3PL has your prefix information on file.
Your GS1 Company Prefix serves as the foundation for generating GTIN-14 and SSCC-18 identifiers.
Step 2: Choose Your Barcode Type
Select the barcode format that best aligns with your shipping process.
| Barcode Type | Best For | EDI / ASN Required |
|---|---|---|
| ITF-14 (GTIN-14) | Single-SKU cartons | No |
| GS1-128 (GTIN-14) | Single-SKU cartons requiring additional data | No |
| GS1-128 (SSCC-18) | Mixed or serialized cartons | Yes |
Recommendation
- Shipping a single SKU per carton? Use GTIN-14.
- Shipping mixed cartons? Use SSCC-18.
- Need lot, expiration, or quantity data encoded in the barcode? Use GS1-128.
Step 3: Update Your Label Templates
Your label software must support GS1-compliant barcode generation.
Common solutions include:
- Zebra ZPL
- BarTender
- Loftware
- NiceLabel
Ensure templates include the correct Application Identifiers:
| Identifier | AI |
|---|---|
| GTIN-14 | 01 |
| SSCC-18 | 00 |
Step 4: Map Your Data Sources
Your ERP or Warehouse Management System (WMS) should generate the correct barcode data at the time cartons are packed.
| Data Element | Typical Source |
|---|---|
| GTIN-14 | Product master data |
| SSCC-18 | WMS serial number counter |
| Lot Number | Batch records |
| Expiration Date | Product records |
| Item Count | Packing records |
Step 5: Configure EDI Through SPS Commerce (SSCC-18 Only)
If you are using SSCC-18 barcodes:
- Integrate with Pattern's EDI partner, SPS Commerce.
- Configure Advance Shipping Notices (ASNs).
- Ensure each ASN references the correct SSCC-18 barcode.
- Include lot, expiration, and best before information where applicable.
Step 6: Validate Before Going Live
Do not rely solely on a handheld scanner to determine compliance.
Before shipping inventory:
- Verify barcode quality using a GS1-certified barcode verifier.
- Confirm barcode dimensions meet Pattern requirements.
- Verify quiet zones and bar height requirements.
- Test barcode readability in your production environment.
Implementation Checklist
☐ GS1 Company Prefix obtained
☐ Barcode type selected
☐ Label templates updated
☐ ERP/WMS data mapping completed
☐ SPS Commerce integration completed (if using SSCC-18)
☐ Barcode validation completed
☐ Test carton reviewed internally
Need Help?
If you have questions about barcode generation, implementation, EDI setup, or compliance requirements, please contact your Pattern Brand Manager.