Set the label size, choose the items, and print the barcode copies in your app.
Key takeaways for how to print barcode labels in inventory apps
Before you print, confirm the physical label stock you already have in the shop. Match that size to the settings in your chosen app to avoid waste.
- Select the label sheet size: In Zoho Inventory, you can select a standard size such as A7 or A4, or enter custom dimensions for the paper sheet Zoho.
- Choose the barcode format: Zoho Inventory allows you to select the specific barcode format, with Code 128 listed as an example for linear barcodes Zoho.
- Set the copy quantity: Enter the exact number of label copies you need to print in the Zoho Inventory interface Zoho.
- Toggle text display: Enable the display option in Zoho Inventory to print the encoded value as text directly below the barcode Zoho.
- Print before linking items: Sortly allows you to print a batch of QR codes right now, apply them to shelves or bins, and link each one to the correct item or folder later using the mobile app Sortly.
Sortly lets you create QR Code and Barcode labels for any item in your inventory, according to Sortly.
How to print barcode labels in inventory apps
The process involves seven specific label values. First, select the label size. Second, choose the barcode format. Third, set the copy quantity. Fourth, use the item selection method. Fifth, configure the printer destination. Sixth, toggle the label value display. Seventh, decide on the unlinked label option. Size is on all four apps, format and value display on Zoho, copies on Lightspeed and Zoho, items on Lightspeed, Sortly, and Square, printer on Square, and unlinked QR codes on Sortly. You must match your physical stock to the digital settings. Check your current label stock size and match it to the settings in your chosen app.
Selecting the right items for labeling
Before you configure label dimensions or barcode formats, you must identify the specific products that require physical tags. The method for locating these items varies by platform, so choose the approach that matches your current inventory structure.
In Lightspeed Retail (R-Series), you begin by navigating to Inventory > Item Search and locating the item you want to print a label for, according to Lightspeed. This search function allows you to find a single product before initiating the print job.
Sortly offers multiple pathways for item selection depending on how you organize your stock. You can navigate to the folder and long press the items you want to print, according to Sortly. This long-press action is useful when you are browsing a specific folder and want to select several items at once. Alternatively, you can navigate to the folder and select the items, according to Sortly. This standard selection method works well for smaller batches where you select the items. For more complex searches, you can go to Advanced Search, apply any filters, and select the items, according to Sortly. Using Advanced Search allows you to filter by specific attributes before selecting the products, which is helpful when you need to label items that share a common characteristic rather than those in a single folder.
Square provides a centralized location for label printing. You can print barcode labels from your Item library in Square Dashboard, according to Square. This means you access your products through the main dashboard interface.
Configuring label size and barcode type
Before you print, you must define the physical dimensions of the label and the specific barcode format your scanner expects. Each of the four inventory systems handles label size, so check that control in your chosen app.
In Lightspeed, you adjust the physical dimensions by clicking Select label size to choose a label size according to Lightspeed.
Sortly groups its dimension controls under a single selection step. You choose your label type, paper size, and label size according to Sortly. This combined selection lets you match the software output to your physical stock in one action.
Square requires you to configure both the printer destination and the paper dimensions within the print dialog. First, select DYMO LabelWriter550 as the printer from the Destination drop-down menu according to Square. Then, under the More Settings section, make sure that Paper size is 12.7 x 47.67mm according to Square.
Zoho Inventory provides separate fields for sheet size and barcode format. For the physical dimensions, select the label sheet size (such as A7 or A4), or enter custom dimensions according to Zoho. For the data format, select the barcode format (for example, Code 128 for linear barcodes) according to Zoho. This separation allows you to use standard paper sizes while choosing the specific linear barcode type required by your point-of-sale system.
Match your current label stock size to the settings in your chosen app before proceeding to the next step.
Setting copy counts and display options
When you are ready to send labels to the printer, you must specify how many copies you need and whether to include text. Lightspeed allows you to adjust how many labels to print in the label printing window that appears, according to Lightspeed. This setting controls the total quantity generated during that specific print session.
Zoho Inventory offers a dedicated field for this purpose. In the popup, enter the number of label copies to print for each item under Number of Barcode Copies, according to Zoho. The interface also defines this field explicitly: Number of Barcode Copies: Enter the number of label copies to print, according to Zoho. This entry ensures each selected product receives the exact quantity you specify.
For visual clarity on the physical label, Zoho provides a toggle for text output. Display Barcode Value: Enable to print the encoded value as text below the barcode, according to Zoho. Enabling this option places the human-readable code directly under the machine-readable symbol.
A filled reference table of label settings
The tables below summarize the specific label configuration options available in each of the four inventory systems. Each row is built exclusively from the documented settings for that publisher.
| Publisher | Label size selection |
|---|---|
| Lightspeed | Click Select label size to choose a label size, according to Lightspeed. |
| Sortly | Choose your label type, paper size, and label size, according to Sortly. |
| Square | Under the More Settings section, make sure that Paper size is 12.7 x 47.67mm, according to Square. |
| Zoho | Paper Size: Select the label sheet size (such as A7 or A4), or enter custom dimensions, according to Zoho. |
| Publisher | Barcode format choice |
|---|---|
| Sortly | Sortly lets you create QR Code and Barcode labels for any item in your inventory, according to Sortly. |
| Zoho | Barcode Type: Select the barcode format (for example, Code 128 for linear barcodes), according to Zoho. |
| Publisher | Copy quantity setting |
|---|---|
| Lightspeed | You can adjust how many labels to print in the label printing window that appears, according to Lightspeed. |
| Zoho | In the popup, enter the number of label copies to print for each item under Number of Barcode Copies, according to Zoho. |
| Publisher | Item selection method |
|---|---|
| Lightspeed | Navigate to Inventory > Item Search and locate the item you want to print a label for, according to Lightspeed. |
| Sortly | Navigate to the folder and long press the items you want to print, according to Sortly. |
| Square | You can print barcode labels from your Item library in Square Dashboard, according to Square. |
| Publisher | Printer destination setup |
|---|---|
| Square | Select DYMO LabelWriter550 as the printer from the Destination drop-down menu, according to Square. |
| Zoho | If you use a dedicated barcode printer, ensure the paper size and label dimensions match the paper size and label format configured in your printer before printing, according to Zoho. |
| Publisher | Label value display |
|---|---|
| Zoho | Display Barcode Value: Enable to print the encoded value as text below the barcode, according to Zoho. |
| Publisher | Unlinked label option |
|---|---|
| Sortly | You can print a batch of QR codes now, apply them, and link each one later in the Sortly mobile app, according to Sortly. |
Printing unlinked labels for later linking
Sortly supports a workflow where you can print physical labels before your inventory data is fully loaded. According to Sortly, you can print a batch of QR codes right now, apply them to your shelves, bins, or items, and link each one to the right item or folder later using the Sortly mobile app, whenever it's convenient for you. This capability allows retail managers to prepare physical stock locations without waiting for every item to be digitized in the system first.
The process relies on the specific label types available in the platform. According to Sortly, Sortly lets you create QR Code and Barcode labels for any item in your inventory. When using the unlinked printing method, the initial print run generates the codes that will later be associated with specific inventory records. You apply these physical labels to your shop's storage areas or products immediately. The linking step occurs subsequently through the mobile application, where you assign it to the corresponding item or folder.
This approach separates the physical labeling task from the data entry task. You do not need to have the item's details, such as name or quantity, entered before the label exists in your shop. The mobile app serves as the bridge that connects the pre-printed code to the digital inventory record. This is particularly useful when receiving new stock or reorganizing shelves where the physical items are present but the system records are not yet complete.
Illustrative example
Label 10 items with 1 size, 1 barcode format, and 5 copies each, on 1 printer, with the value under the barcode. Also print 10 unlinked QR codes to link later. That is 7 choices. Figures are illustrative.
Next step
Today, open one item, match the label size to your sheets, and print.
FAQ: How to print barcode labels in inventory apps
Can I print labels before adding items to Sortly?
Yes, Sortly allows you to print a batch of QR codes right now, apply them to your shelves, bins, or items, and link each one to the right item or folder later using the Sortly mobile app, whenever it's convenient for you, according to Sortly. This workflow supports printing unlinked labels for later linking without requiring the items to exist in the system first.
How do I match the paper size in Zoho Inventory?
Select the label sheet size such as A7 or A4, or enter custom dimensions. If you use a dedicated barcode printer, match paper size and label dimensions to the printer's paper size and label format before printing, according to Zoho.
Where do I find an item to print in Lightspeed?
Navigate to Inventory > Item Search and locate the item you want to print a label for, according to Lightspeed.
How many copies can I print for each item in Zoho?
This field allows you to specify the exact quantity needed for each item.