How to Get Barcode for Products in Sri Lanka | Complete Shop Guide

What You Need

Setting up a barcode system for your shop is simpler than you think. Here’s everything you need:

1. A barcode printer — to print labels for your products
2. Label rolls — thermal labels that fit your printer
3. A barcode scanner — to scan labels at checkout (optional if you use POS software with camera scanning)
4. POS software — to manage products, print labels, and process sales

Total investment: as low as Rs. 14,900 for the printer + free software from Invenova.

Step 1: Choose Your Barcode Printer

For most Sri Lankan retail shops, we recommend the Xprinter XP-365B (Rs. 24,500). It’s fast, reliable, and handles the label volumes that typical shops need.

If you’re a small boutique or market vendor, the Niimbot B1 (Rs. 14,900) is a great portable option.

See our complete printer comparison to find the right fit.

Step 2: Set Up Your Product Catalog

Before you can print barcodes, you need a list of your products with names and prices.

Option A — Manual entry: Add products one by one through Invenova’s barcode tool. Good for shops with under 100 products.

Option B — Bulk import: Export your existing product list to a CSV or Excel file and upload it. Invenova supports standard formats, so if you already have a spreadsheet of your products, this takes minutes.

Step 3: Generate Barcodes

Invenova automatically generates barcodes for each product you add. You can choose from:

• EAN-13 — the standard retail barcode used worldwide (and in Sri Lanka)
• Code 128 — compact, good for internal inventory codes
• QR Code — scannable with phone cameras, can include product URLs

For most retail shops, EAN-13 is the right choice. If you need official GS1 barcodes for distribution, contact GS1 Sri Lanka. For internal shop use, Invenova-generated codes work perfectly.

Step 4: Print Your Labels

1. Sign up at Invenova’s barcode printing tool
2. Download and install the Invenova Print Agent (takes 30 seconds)
3. Connect your printer via USB or Bluetooth
4. Select the products you want to label
5. Choose your label template and size
6. Hit Print

Your labels come out on thermal rolls — peel and stick them on your products.

Step 5: Set Up Scanning at Checkout

If you use Invenova POS, your barcode scanner plugs in via USB and works immediately. Scan a product, the price appears, and the bill is ready.

Even without a dedicated scanner, Invenova POS supports camera-based scanning on tablets and phones.

Step 6: Keep Your System Updated

When you add new products or change prices:

1. Update the product in Invenova
2. Print new labels for affected products
3. Replace the old labels on your shelves

With Invenova POS, price updates sync automatically — you just need to reprint the physical labels.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Buying the cheapest labels: Low-quality thermal labels fade quickly and jam printers. Ask your supplier for “top-coated” direct thermal labels.
• Not calibrating your printer: When you change label sizes, calibrate the printer so it feeds the right amount of paper. Invenova’s Print Agent handles this automatically for supported printers.
• Ignoring label placement: Stick barcodes on flat surfaces where the scanner can reach them easily. Curved surfaces and wrinkled labels cause scan failures.
• Skipping the POS connection: A barcode system without POS software gives you labelling but misses the biggest benefit — instant product lookup at checkout.

Cost Breakdown

This is a one-time investment (except the POS subscription) that saves hours every week and eliminates pricing errors.

Get Started Today

The fastest way to get set up is to order a printer from Invenova — we deliver island-wide and help you set up everything via WhatsApp, for free.

Already have a printer? Try Invenova’s free barcode tool right now — no credit card, no commitment.