The first step in generating a barcode is figuring out what data you want your barcode to represent. In some cases, a barcode can contain product details. In other cases, it may be a visual representation of a product number (which may pull up relevant data within your inventory system or point-of-sale system). Once you know what data you want your barcode to represent, you can use a barcode system to generate a barcode using your preferred barcode symbology. That being said, most barcode numbers you see in the wild correspond to the product’s universal product code (UPC). To get a UPC for your product, you’ll need to pay for a GS1 company prefix and follow the GS1 rules for creating new UPCs. To find out more, read our guide to universal product codes.