Barcode Printing

You can print custom barcode labels with BoxHero to speed up inventory tracking. Design labels your way and print using any standard printer—no special equipment needed.

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Key Highlights

• Create and use barcodes, even if your items don’t have one.

• Supports both 1D barcodes and 2D barcodes (QR codes).

• Works with all printers and label types.

• Design labels in the layout and style you prefer.

Step-by-Step Guide:

• Register item barcodes

• Check printer and label compatibility

• Set up printer

• Create labels

• Print barcodes

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Register Item Barcodes

To use barcodes in BoxHero, add a barcode when you create a new item.

A. If the item doesn’t have a barcode

Select Generate to create a barcode for internal use.

B. If the item already has a barcode

If the item has a barcode on its packaging, enter that barcode during item setup.

Ways to enter a barcode

• Scan the barcode with your phone’s camera in the mobile app

• Scan it using a barcode scanner connected to your computer

• Type the barcode by hand

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Printer and Label Compatibility

You can use any printer that can connect to your computer.

A. Standard Printers

If you’re using a regular home or office printer, purchase sticker-type label sheets. Brands like Formtec are commonly available, and you can choose the size you need from office supply stores or online retailers.

B. Direct Thermal & Thermal Transfer Printers

These printers (DT & TT) produce more durable labels than standard printers. However, the label types they support vary by model, so check compatibility before you buy label rolls or ribbons.

Mobile Printing: To print from the mobile app, your printer must support Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or LAN connections. Some printers, including certain ZEBRA models, only support mobile printing on Android. Be sure to confirm compatibility with your mobile device before purchasing.

If you need printer recommendations, visit the page below:

Barcode Printer

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Printer Setup

Note: Direct thermal and thermal transfer printers may not print correctly if their basic settings are not configured. Make sure your printer settings match the label size and options you plan to use.

1. Set Paper Size

When using a label printer, you also need to set the paper size in your Windows Control Panel or macOS System Settings. If you use different label sizes, check this setting before printing.

Set the paper size from the following path:

• Windows:

  Control Panel > Bluetooth & Devices > Printers & Scanners > Printing Preferences

• macOS:

  System Settings > Printers & Scanners > Default Paper Size

The “Printing Preferences” window may look different depending on your printer driver.

2. Turn Off Dithering

For clearer print quality, set the dithering option to OFF.

Windows

• Select your printer and right-click > Printing Preferences (or Printer Settings).

ZEBRA driver

Under Graphic Options, set Dithering to Clipart.

BarTender driver

Go to the Graphics tab and choose None for Dithering.

macOS

• Select your printer > Options & Supplies > Driver (or General).

• Look for a Dithering or Halftone option and set it to None.

Before

After

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Create Custom Labels

You can create barcode labels in the layout you want by going to Barcode Labels > Print Items.

1. Paper Settings

Label Sheet	For standard printers (e.g., Formtec or Avery), choose the label sheet size you plan to use.
Thermal Label	For direct thermal or thermal transfer printers, select the matching roll size. Make sure the roll type is compatible with your printer model.
Custom Size	If you're using a standard printer and don’t see your label size in the list, you can enter the dimensions manually.

2. Choose Label Design

Select the type of label you want to create: Barcode, QR Code, or Text only.

3. Edit Label Details

Choose the item information you want to include on the label, then place each field where you want it to appear. You can also type text directly into the design, which will appear the same on all labels.

Note: If you want to print labels using the item SKU, replace {{barcode}} with {{sku}} in the barcode field.

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Print Barcode Labels

Note: If you’re using a direct thermal or thermal transfer printer, be sure to configure the paper size in your computer’s printer settings.

On Your Computer

Go to Barcode Labels > Print Items and select the items you want to print.

You can also print the item list exactly as it appears after completing a Stock In transaction.

To print stock that have already been received: Go to Transactions, select the entry, and open the More menu.

On Your Mobile Device

From the home screen, go to Print Barcode > Print Item Label.

For mobile printing, your printer and mobile device must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network.

After completing a Stock In or Stock Out transaction, you can print labels directly from that list.

To print a specific record: Go to Transactions, select the entry, tap the ... menu, and choose Print Label.

For details, please refer to the following:

Print Barcodes on the Go with BoxHero's Mobile AppBoxHero Blog

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Troubleshooting

Labels are misaligned

If your labels are not printing in the correct position (e.g., sideways or at a 90-degree angle), please go through the steps below in order. If the issue continues, move to the next step.

1. Check the label paper loaded in your printer. Make sure the label sheet or label roll is placed correctly and aligned inside the printer.

2. Verify that your label design matches your label paper. Confirm that the label size you selected in BoxHero matches the actual label sheet or label roll you’re using.

3. Check for device-specific settings.

   1. For standard printers (label sheets): Make sure the label sheet is inserted in the correct orientation. If it’s upside down or reversed, the print position may shift.

   2. For direct thermal or thermal transfer printers: Confirm that the correct paper size is set in your computer’s printer settings. Thermal printers require the paper size to be configured in the system settings to print correctly.

Go to: Control Panel > Bluetooth & Devices > Printers & Scanners > Printing Preferences

Barcodes print in red

If the barcode area prints with a red outline, the item may not have a barcode assigned. Add a valid barcode to the item and try printing again.

If a barcode is already assigned, check whether it includes any non-numeric or non-alphanumeric characters. Barcodes must contain only numbers or letters.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Which printer should I buy?

You can use any printer that connects to your computer or mobile device. Choose a model that fits your budget and the features you need.

If possible, we recommend a thermal transfer printer for clean, durable labels. The ZEBRA ZD421t is one of our most reliable options.

For more suggestions, you can browse recommended printers on the page below.

Barcode Printer

What barcode format does BoxHero use?

When you auto-generate a barcode in BoxHero, the system creates a 13-digit number in the EAN-13 format.

When designing a label, you can choose the barcode format you want. If you don’t select one, Code128 is used by default because it offers broad compatibility.

Supported formats: Code128, Code39, Code93, EAN13, ITF, STF

Can I save barcode labels as image files?

Barcode labels can only be saved as a PDF. Click Print and select Save as PDF to download your label.

Can I add an image or logo to a barcode label?

Yes, you can request a custom label template that includes your company logo. This feature is available to teams on the Business Plan.

If you're a BoxHero user with an active subscription to the Business Plan, click "Can't find the design you want?" to request a custom label.