This barcode sticker size list in mm covers the five A4 sticker sheets distributors buy most and four common thermal roll sizes, with what fits on each. On A4, the usual sheets hold 10, 12, 24, 40 or 65 labels, from 99.1 × 57 mm down to 38.1 × 21.2 mm. On a thermal printer, 50 × 25 mm (about 2 × 1 inch) is the everyday size, with 38 × 25, 75 × 50 and 100 × 50 mm for smaller items and big cartons. The size you pick decides what the sticker can carry. A 10-per-sheet label has room for a two-line item name, the box quantity, a tall barcode and the MRP, batch and dates underneath. A 65-per-sheet label holds a short name, the quantity and a small barcode, with batch and dates squeezed onto one line. Below the tables are the three rules that decide whether a small label still scans, and how to stop wasting half-used sheets.
A4 sticker sheets
| Labels per sheet | Grid | Label size (mm) | About (inches) | What fits comfortably |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 2 × 5 | 99.1 × 57 | 3.9 × 2.2 | Name, quantity, tall barcode, MRP, batch, dates |
| 12 | 2 × 6 | 105 × 48 | 4.1 × 1.9 | Name, quantity, barcode, MRP, batch, dates |
| 24 | 3 × 8 | 70 × 37 | 2.8 × 1.5 | Name, quantity, barcode, MRP, batch, dates in smaller type |
| 40 | 4 × 10 | 52.5 × 29.7 | 2.1 × 1.2 | Short name, quantity, barcode, MRP and batch in small type |
| 65 | 5 × 13 | 38.1 × 21.2 | 1.5 × 0.8 | Short name, quantity, small barcode, batch and dates on one line |
Brands cut their sheets slightly differently, so measure one label and the top and left margins with a ruler before your first print run. A sheet that is off by 2 mm puts the barcode across the cut.
Thermal roll sizes
| Roll label (mm) | About (inches) | Use it for |
|---|---|---|
| 38 × 25 | 1.5 × 1 | Small packs, bottles, spare parts |
| 50 × 25 | 2 × 1 | The everyday item sticker |
| 75 × 50 | 3 × 2 | Cartons, with MRP, batch and dates |
| 100 × 50 | 4 × 2 | Master cartons read from a distance |
What makes a small sticker scan
- Bar width. The narrowest bar should be at least about 0.19 mm. Below that, cheap guns and phone cameras start missing.
- Quiet zone. A Code 128 barcode needs blank space of ten bar-widths on each side, inside the sticker. On a printed carton, bars that run to the label's edge often fail.
- Height. Short bars still read when scanned straight, and fail when the gun is held at an angle.
If your codes are long, step up a size before you shrink the print.
Not wasting half-used sheets
A 65-label sheet with 20 used is still 45 good stickers. Good label software asks which sticker to start from, so the next print begins at label 21. Feed the sheet the same way every time.
Takkada's barcode labels for Tally Prime print on all five A4 sheets above, the four roll sizes, or a custom size you type in, and ask which sticker to start at. If a size is too small for the code to scan, it says so before printing. Our post on printing barcodes with a normal printer covers which printer suits which size.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the most common barcode sticker size?
A: On thermal rolls, 50 × 25 mm, which is about 2 × 1 inch. On A4 sheets, the 24-per-sheet and 40-per-sheet layouts are the usual pick for item stickers.
Q: What size barcode sticker should I use on a carton?
A: A bigger one, such as 75 × 50 mm on a roll or the 10-per-sheet A4 label. Cartons get scanned from further away and often carry MRP, batch and dates as well.
Q: How small can a barcode sticker be?
A: It depends on how long the code is. Keep the narrowest bar at about 0.19 mm or wider and leave a blank margin on both sides, or the scan fails.
Q: Are all A4 label sheets the same size?
A: No. Two brands selling 24 per sheet can have slightly different margins. Measure one sheet and set the margins before a big print.
Talk to us
WhatsApp us at https://wa.me/919435977777 with the sticker sheet you already have, and we will print a test sheet on it with you.