Barcode Gift Cards for Businesses
Barcode gift cards are a reliable option for businesses that use barcode scanners at checkout. This page explains what barcode gift cards are, how they work with POS systems, and when they are the right choice for your business.
What Are Barcode Gift Cards?
Barcode gift cards are plastic cards that display a unique barcode number. Each barcode represents a specific card number that your POS system uses to track gift card value. When a customer purchases or redeems a gift card, employees scan the barcode at checkout, and your POS processes the transaction.
The barcode itself is a visual representation of the card number. It consists of a series of vertical lines and spaces that barcode scanners can read. When scanned, the scanner translates those lines into the actual number, which your POS then uses to load value, check balances, or process redemptions.
Barcode gift cards are commonly used in retail, hospitality, and service-based businesses because scanning is fast and familiar. Most businesses already have barcode scanners for product inventory, so using the same scanner for gift cards is a natural fit.
Not sure if barcode gift cards will work with your POS?
We review compatibility before printing so you do not have to guess. Every order is checked by a specialist to verify your POS system supports barcode scanning and that the format matches your requirements.
How Barcode Gift Cards Work with POS Systems
The way barcode gift cards work depends entirely on how your POS system is configured. Not all POS systems handle barcodes the same way. Some require specific barcode formats, while others are flexible and can read multiple types. Understanding what your system expects is critical before ordering cards.
Basic Process
- Card is scanned at checkout: The employee uses a barcode scanner to read the card's barcode.
- POS receives the card number: The scanner sends the barcode data to the POS system.
- System validates the number: The POS checks whether the card number falls within the range designated for gift cards.
- Transaction is processed: If valid, the POS either loads value onto the card or deducts the purchase amount from the card's balance.
This process happens in seconds when everything is configured correctly. Problems arise when the barcode format does not match what the POS expects, or when the card numbers fall outside the system's recognized gift card range. These are not things you can visually identify just by looking at the card. They only become obvious when the card fails to scan or when the POS rejects it.
That is why we verify POS compatibility before printing. We review your system's requirements, confirm the barcode format, and make sure the numbering structure aligns with what your POS is set up to recognize. This step prevents most common scanning issues before they happen.
Types of Barcodes We Support
There are several barcode formats used for gift cards. The right one for your business depends on what your POS system requires. If you are unsure which format you need, your POS provider's documentation usually specifies this, or we can help you identify it.
Code 128
One of the most common barcode formats for gift cards. Code 128 is compact and can encode a large amount of data in a small space.
Supported by most modern POS systems including Square, Clover, Shopify POS, and Toast.
Code 39
An older but still widely used format. Code 39 is reliable and readable by most barcode scanners.
Common in retail and hospitality environments where legacy systems are still in use.
UPC-A
The same format used on retail products. UPC-A is a fixed-length format with 12 digits.
Used when businesses want gift cards to scan the same way as inventory items.
Important: Not all barcode scanners can read all barcode formats. If your POS documentation specifies a particular barcode type, we print your cards with that exact format. If you are unsure, we can help identify the correct format before you place an order.
View POS systems we supportBarcode Gift Cards and POS Compatibility
Barcode gift cards only work when they are compatible with your POS system. Each POS platform handles barcodes differently, which is why barcode gift cards should always be reviewed for POS compatibility before printing.
Different POS systems require different barcode formats, number structures, and configuration settings. A barcode gift card that works perfectly with Square might not work at all with Clover, even if both systems support barcodes. This is not about card quality. It is about matching the card's technical specifications to what your specific POS expects.
POS-Specific Compatibility
We verify barcode gift cards for compatibility with specific POS systems, not just general barcode standards. This means confirming that your cards will work with your actual POS configuration, not just that the barcode is technically valid.
Barcode Gift Cards vs Magnetic Stripe Cards
The choice between barcode and magnetic stripe gift cards is not about which is better. It is about which one your POS system is configured to handle. Some systems support both. Others only support one.
When Barcodes Work Best
- Your POS uses barcode scanners for products and inventory
- Speed at checkout is important
- Your system documentation specifies barcode formats
- You want visible card numbers for manual entry as backup
When Magnetic Stripes Work Best
- Your POS uses card readers for payment processing
- Your system requires swipe-based gift cards
- You want encoded data that is not visibly printed on the card
- Your industry standard uses magnetic stripe technology
If you are unsure which option your business needs, we can help you figure it out. Most POS systems clearly specify whether they use barcodes, magnetic stripes, or both. We review that information with you before printing to make sure you order the right type.
Read our detailed comparison guidePOS Compatibility Review
Barcode gift cards only work if they are formatted correctly for your specific POS system. A card that looks perfect might still fail if the barcode format is wrong, the number structure does not match, or the data encoding is incompatible. These issues are not obvious just by looking at the card. They only show up when someone tries to scan it at checkout.
Every barcode gift card order is reviewed by a real person who understands POS systems. This is not automated. Before anything is printed, we verify that the barcode format, number structure, and data encoding match what your POS expects. If we spot a potential issue, we contact you before printing anything.
What We Verify Before Printing
- Barcode format compatibility: We confirm that the barcode type (Code 128, Code 39, UPC-A, etc.) matches what your POS system and scanners can read.
- Number structure and range: We verify that card numbers are formatted correctly and fall within the range your POS recognizes as gift cards.
- Scanner compatibility: We check that your barcode scanners are capable of reading the format we are printing.
- Data encoding: We ensure the barcode encodes the card number in a way that your POS can correctly interpret.
This verification process helps catch most compatibility issues before cards are printed. It does not eliminate every possible problem, but it significantly reduces the risk of discovering issues after the cards arrive.
Common Barcode Gift Card Issues (and How We Prevent Them)
Most barcode gift card problems fall into a few common categories. These issues are preventable if they are caught early. Here is what typically goes wrong and how we address it.
Wrong Barcode Format
Problem: The barcode is printed in a format that the scanner cannot read or that the POS does not recognize.
Prevention: We verify barcode format compatibility during the order review. If your POS requires Code 128 but you ordered Code 39, we catch that before printing.
Number Structure Does Not Match POS Configuration
Problem: The card numbers are formatted incorrectly or fall outside the range your POS recognizes as gift cards.
Prevention: We review your POS number range requirements and verify that card numbers are structured correctly before printing begins.
Poor Print Quality Makes Barcodes Unscannable
Problem: The barcode is printed poorly, causing scanners to fail or misread the data.
Prevention: Every order goes through quality control. We verify barcode readability using scanners before cards are packaged and shipped.
Scanner Cannot Read the Barcode Type
Problem: The scanner hardware is not capable of reading the barcode format that was printed.
Prevention: We confirm scanner compatibility during the review. If your scanner has limitations, we make sure the barcode format is compatible before printing.
If you do encounter issues after receiving your cards, we help troubleshoot and resolve them. Most problems can be fixed by adjusting POS settings or reprinting with corrected specifications.
When Barcode Gift Cards Are the Right Choice
Barcode gift cards are the right choice when your POS system is configured to process gift cards using barcode scanners. If your business already scans products at checkout, barcode gift cards fit naturally into that workflow.
Barcode Gift Cards Are a Good Fit If:
- Your POS documentation or support team has confirmed that your system uses barcodes for gift cards
- You already have barcode scanners at checkout for products and inventory
- You want visible card numbers printed on the card for manual entry as a backup option
- Speed at checkout is important, and scanning is faster than swiping
- Your industry or business type commonly uses barcode-based gift cards
Not sure if barcode gift cards are right for you? That is completely normal. Many business owners are unfamiliar with the technical details of how gift cards work. We can help you figure out whether barcodes or magnetic stripes are the right choice based on your POS system.
Learn more about gift card printing optionsThe most important factor is compatibility with your POS system. If your system uses barcodes, barcode gift cards are the right choice. If it uses magnetic stripes, you need magnetic stripe cards. If it supports both, we can help you decide which option makes the most sense for your business operations.
Frequently Asked Questions About Barcode Gift Cards
Do barcode gift cards work with all POS systems?
Barcode gift cards do not work with all POS systems automatically. Compatibility depends on whether your POS is configured to process gift cards using barcode scanners, the barcode format it expects, and how card numbers are structured. Verification before printing ensures compatibility.
What barcode format do most POS systems require?
Code 128 is the most commonly required barcode format for gift cards. It is supported by modern POS systems like Square, Clover, Shopify POS, and Toast. However, some systems use Code 39 or UPC-A, so it is important to confirm your system's requirements before printing.
Can barcode gift cards be entered manually if scanning fails?
Yes, barcode gift cards typically include the card number printed below the barcode. This allows employees to manually enter the number into the POS if the barcode fails to scan. Manual entry is a useful backup but is slower than scanning.
Are barcode gift cards more secure than magnetic stripe cards?
Barcode and magnetic stripe gift cards have similar security levels when used correctly. Barcodes display the card number visibly, which makes manual backup entry possible but also means the number can be photographed or copied. Magnetic stripes encode data invisibly, but can still be duplicated with card readers. Security depends more on POS configuration and fraud prevention practices than card format.
How do I know which barcode format my POS needs?
Your POS provider's documentation or support team can confirm which barcode format is required. Most modern systems specify Code 128, but legacy systems may require Code 39 or UPC-A. If you are unsure, we can help identify the correct format during the order review process.
Related Resources
Compare Gift Card Types
POS Compatibility
Get Help with Barcode Gift Cards
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