---

name: barcode-generator description: Generate barcodes in multiple formats (Code128, EAN13, UPC, Code39, QR). Supports batch generation from CSV and various output formats.

Barcode Generator

Generate barcodes in various formats for retail, inventory, and identification. Supports 1D barcodes (Code128, EAN, UPC) and batch generation from CSV.

Quick Start

from scripts.barcode_gen import BarcodeGenerator

# Generate barcode
gen = BarcodeGenerator()
gen.generate("123456789012", format="ean13", output="barcode.png")

# Code128 (variable length)
gen.generate("ABC-12345", format="code128", output="product.png")

# Batch from CSV
gen.batch_generate("products.csv", code_column="sku", output_dir="./barcodes")

Features

• Multiple Formats: Code128, EAN13, EAN8, UPC-A, Code39, ITF, ISBN
• Output Formats: PNG, SVG, PDF
• Customization: Size, colors, text display
• Batch Generation: From CSV files
• Validation: Check digit calculation and verification

API Reference

Basic Generation

gen = BarcodeGenerator()

# Generate with auto-format detection
gen.generate("123456789012", output="barcode.png")

# Specific format
gen.generate("12345678", format="ean8", output="barcode.png")

Customization

gen.generate(
    "ABC123",
    format="code128",
    output="barcode.png",
    width=300,            # Image width
    height=150,           # Image height
    show_text=True,       # Show code below barcode
    font_size=12,         # Text size
    foreground="black",   # Bar color
    background="white"    # Background color
)

Batch Generation

# From CSV
gen.batch_generate(
    "products.csv",
    code_column="sku",
    format="code128",
    output_dir="./barcodes",
    filename_column="product_name"  # Use product name as filename
)

# From list
codes = ["ABC001", "ABC002", "ABC003"]
gen.batch_generate_list(codes, format="code128", output_dir="./barcodes")

Validation

# Validate barcode format
is_valid = gen.validate("5901234123457", format="ean13")

# Calculate check digit
check = gen.calculate_check_digit("590123412345", format="ean13")
# Returns: 7

# Generate with auto check digit
gen.generate("590123412345", format="ean13", auto_check_digit=True)

Output Formats

# PNG (default)
gen.generate("123", format="code128", output="barcode.png")

# SVG (vector)
gen.generate("123", format="code128", output="barcode.svg")

# PDF
gen.generate("123", format="code128", output="barcode.pdf")

CLI Usage

# Generate single barcode
python barcode_gen.py --code "123456789012" --format ean13 --output barcode.png

# Code128
python barcode_gen.py --code "ABC-12345" --format code128 --output product.png

# Custom size
python barcode_gen.py --code "12345" --format code39 --width 400 --height 200

# Batch from CSV
python barcode_gen.py --batch products.csv --column sku --format code128 --output-dir ./barcodes

# Validate
python barcode_gen.py --validate "5901234123457" --format ean13

CLI Arguments

Argument	Description	Default
--code	Code to encode	-
--format	Barcode format	code128
--output	Output file	-
--width	Image width	300
--height	Image height	150
--no-text	Hide code text	False
--batch	CSV file for batch	-
--column	Code column in CSV	code
--output-dir	Output directory	.
--validate	Validate code	-

Supported Formats

Format	Length	Characters	Use Case
code128	Variable	ASCII	General purpose
ean13	13	Digits	Retail products
ean8	8	Digits	Small products
upca	12	Digits	US retail
code39	Variable	A-Z, 0-9, symbols	Industrial
itf	Even	Digits	Shipping
isbn13	13	Digits	Books
isbn10	10	Digits + X	Books (legacy)

Examples

Product Label

gen = BarcodeGenerator()

gen.generate(
    "5901234123457",
    format="ean13",
    output="product_barcode.png",
    width=250,
    height=100,
    show_text=True
)

Inventory Tags

gen = BarcodeGenerator()

inventory = [
    {"sku": "INV-001", "name": "Widget A"},
    {"sku": "INV-002", "name": "Widget B"},
    {"sku": "INV-003", "name": "Widget C"}
]

for item in inventory:
    gen.generate(
        item["sku"],
        format="code128",
        output=f"./tags/{item['name']}.png"
    )

Book ISBN

gen = BarcodeGenerator()

# ISBN-13 barcode
gen.generate(
    "9780134685991",
    format="isbn13",
    output="book_barcode.png"
)

Batch Product Labels

gen = BarcodeGenerator()

# products.csv:
# sku,product_name,price
# 123456789012,Widget A,9.99
# 234567890123,Widget B,14.99

gen.batch_generate(
    "products.csv",
    code_column="sku",
    format="ean13",
    output_dir="./product_labels",
    filename_column="product_name"
)

Check Digit Calculation

The generator can automatically calculate and append check digits:

gen = BarcodeGenerator()

# EAN-13: 12 digits + 1 check digit
gen.generate("590123412345", format="ean13", auto_check_digit=True)
# Generates barcode for "5901234123457"

# Manually calculate
check = gen.calculate_check_digit("590123412345", format="ean13")
print(f"Check digit: {check}")  # 7

Dependencies

python-barcode>=0.15.0
Pillow>=10.0.0

Limitations

• Some formats have strict length requirements
• Characters must match format specifications
• PDF output may require additional fonts
• Very long codes may not scan well at small sizes