Square, Sortly, Zoho Inventory, and Lightspeed Retail R-Series can print barcode or QR labels, and the documented device, identifier, and queue limits differ by app.
Key takeaways
- Check your checkout hardware first. Barcode labels cannot be created or printed from Square Terminal, according to Square. If your till relies on that specific device, you must use a different terminal or computer to generate these labels.
- Verify code portability before printing. Sortly-generated QR codes and barcodes are designed for use within Sortly, according to Sortly. Do not assume these codes will scan correctly in a separate point-of-sale system without checking that system’s documentation.
- Confirm your plan tier for label types. Ultra, Premium, and Enterprise users can create both QR and Barcode labels, according to Sortly.
- Print labels from the queue in batches. You can also manage a label queue to print labels in batches, according to Lightspeed. This feature is documented for Lightspeed Retail R-Series and helps handle multiple items at once.
- Match your workflow to the device limit. Review your current printer and checkout device against these specific restrictions before setting up a new label workflow.
Choose a label app by device, identifiers and printing workflow
You can create and print barcode labels from Square Dashboard or the Square Retail POS app on a compatible iOS device and Square Register, according to Square.
Selecting a label application requires matching your physical printing hardware with the identifier types your merchandise uses. For Square, the documentation specifies that you need a compatible barcode label printer and the appropriate label sizes to create labels, according to Square. This requirement means your existing printer model must support the specific label dimensions you intend to use. If your shop relies on Square Terminal as its primary point of sale device, you must use a different device or the Square Dashboard to generate these labels.
Zoho Inventory offers a different approach by focusing on the variety of identifiers available for encoding. In Zoho Inventory, you can generate QR codes and barcodes for your items using a variety of item identifiers, such as SKU, EAN, UPC, ISBN, serial numbers, and batch numbers, according to Zoho. This flexibility allows you to choose which specific code represents your stock based on how you track inventory. For example, if you manage items by serial number, you can encode that directly into the label. The choice between these systems depends on whether your priority is device-specific printing workflows or identifier-based code generation.
To make a practical decision, verify which identifiers your current stock uses. Your printer must also be compatible with the label sizes required by the chosen software.
Start by listing the identifier types on your current product labels. Cross-reference this list with the supported identifiers in the official documentation for each app. This ensures the labels you print will match the data your inventory system expects. See Count shop stock: 4 apps compared for small retailers when you count those units.
How we compared: official label pages, supported devices, fields and quantities
We reviewed official documentation for Square, Sortly, Zoho Inventory, and Lightspeed Retail R-Series to identify documented label workflows. Each source describes the label workflow on its own page.
Square’s United States documentation specifies that instructions are for the DYMO Label 30346 (½” x 1 ⅞” or 12.7 x 47.67 mm) according to Square.
Sortly’s documentation describes a Label Details screen where you can choose a Field to show additional item details, turn on Include Photo, add a Logo or Icon, and enter a custom note up to 140 characters according to Sortly. These options define the available content for pre-printed QR labels.
Lightspeed Retail R-Series documentation notes that the shop name is included only on standard labels 2.00 x 1.00 or 5.08 cm x 2.54 cm and bigger according to Lightspeed. This restricts shop name visibility to larger label formats.
Zoho Inventory documentation was reviewed for identifier encoding and label generation capabilities.
We did not test hardware compatibility or measure print speed. We did not compare prices. We did not verify scanner compatibility beyond what each page states. We did not assess cross-product equivalence.
Check your printer model and label dimensions against each official page before planning a bulk print.
Filled reference table: 4 publishers and their label workflows
The following table summarizes the documented label capabilities and specific scope restrictions for each publisher, based strictly on their official documentation.
| Publisher | Documented Label Capability | Key Limitation or Scope |
|---|---|---|
| Square | Create and print barcode labels from Square Dashboard or the Square Retail POS app on a compatible iOS device and Square Register, according to Square. | Documentation applies to United States. |
| Sortly | Generate QR codes and barcodes, according to Sortly. | Sortly-generated QR codes and barcodes are designed for use within Sortly. |
| Zoho | Generate QR codes and barcodes for items using identifiers such as SKU, EAN, UPC, ISBN, serial numbers, and batch numbers, according to Zoho. | You can generate barcodes for multiple items at once from the Items list view. |
| Lightspeed | Manage a label queue to print labels in batches, according to Lightspeed. | Shop name (only included on standard labels 2.00 x 1.00 or 5.08 cm x 2.54 cm and bigger). |
Check your current printer model against these documented device and scope requirements before proceeding.
Compare label generation, bulk printing and queue handling
Sortly, Zoho Inventory, and Lightspeed Retail R-Series differ on how items are handled together and on whether receiving stock adds labels to a queue. Understanding these mechanics helps determine if a system fits a shop's receiving rhythm or manual labeling habits.
Sortly: quantity-based printing In the "Create QR Code and Barcode Labels" documentation, the system links printed output directly to item quantities. For example: Item 1 at Qty 2 prints 2 labels, Item 2 at Qty 4 prints 4 labels, Item 3 at Qty 1 prints 1 label, according to Sortly. The documentation describes this as a specific workflow for generating labels based on the quantity of items selected.
Zoho Inventory: batch and single-item options Zoho Inventory offers two distinct methods for generating barcodes. First, you can generate barcodes for multiple items at once from the Items list view, according to Zoho. This allows for bulk processing of several SKUs in a single action. Second, you can print the barcode or QR code for an item from its detail page and specify the number of label copies to print in a single print job, according to Zoho. This provides flexibility for shops that need to print a small number of labels for a specific product without processing the entire list.
Lightspeed Retail R-Series: automatic queuing Lightspeed Retail R-Series handles label generation through an automated queue system. Creating a new item or receiving inventory from a purchase order automatically adds labels to the label queue, according to Lightspeed. This means that when stock is received, the system prepares the necessary labels without requiring a separate manual trigger for each item. The number of labels printed is based on each item's received quantity, according to Lightspeed. See Low-stock warnings compared across 4 retail apps when received quantity sets the label count.
Editorial recommendation If your shop receives stock frequently and wants to minimize manual steps, the automatic queuing in Lightspeed Retail R-Series may reduce the need to manually select items for printing. If you prefer manual control over exactly which items and quantities are printed, the batch and single-item options in Zoho Inventory or the quantity-based approach in Sortly offer more direct user input. Check which workflow aligns with your current receiving process before selecting a platform.
Check printer size, quantity settings and internal-code restrictions
Printer compatibility is a prerequisite before any label can be generated. According to Square, you need a compatible barcode label printer and the appropriate label sizes to create barcode labels. This requirement applies specifically to the United States documentation for Square for Retail. If your current hardware does not match the supported label sizes, the workflow cannot proceed. Before configuring software settings, verify that your physical printer accepts the dimensions your shop uses. A test print is available to validate formatting. According to Square, you can also test print a label to validate the formatting. Use this step to check alignment and readability before printing a full batch.
Plan access determines which code types are available in Sortly. Check your current plan level before attempting to generate mixed code types. Additionally, label generation has specific unit restrictions. According to Sortly, this feature is only available for items using the default unit of measure (Unit). If your inventory items use alternative units of measure, they are excluded from this specific label creation path. Review your item setup to ensure they use the default unit before proceeding.
Quantity settings are configured during the printing process. According to Sortly, on step 2 of 2, set your Label quantity and toggle on any of the optional printing settings. This step allows you to specify how many physical labels are printed for a given item. The quantity set here refers to the number of printed labels, not the stock count in your inventory. Keep these concepts separate to avoid confusion during stocktaking. Optional printing settings can be toggled on at this stage to adjust output preferences.
Check your printer model against the required label sizes before configuring the software. Verify your Sortly plan level to confirm access to QR and Barcode label creation. Ensure your items use the default unit of measure if you plan to use Sortly’s label features. Set the label quantity explicitly during the printing step to control output volume.
Illustrative example: 10 labels
A shop checks 4 items. The first needs 2 labels, the second needs 4, and the third needs 1, for 7 labels. The fourth needs 3 labels, so the stack is 10. A note stays within 140 characters. The clerk matches identifier, printer model, and label size to the official page before any batch.
Choose today: check one product label against your existing printer
Take one existing product label and write down its identifier, the details you need printed, your printer model, label dimensions and checkout device. Compare that list with the linked official documentation without signing up, buying equipment or printing a batch.
Square documentation for United States notes that you can also test print a label to validate the formatting, according to Square. Use this capability to verify your specific printer setup before committing to a bulk run. Match the label dimensions on your physical sheet to the settings available in the app you are evaluating. Confirm the identifier type on your current labels matches what the software encodes.
FAQ: choosing barcode-label software for a retail shop
Can I print barcode labels from the device I already use?
Square documentation states that barcode labels cannot be created or printed from Square Terminal Square. If you use a different device, check the specific compatibility requirements in the official guide.
Are Sortly codes intended for use outside its inventory account?
Sortly-generated QR codes and barcodes are designed for use within Sortly Sortly.
How do label copies differ from item quantities?
In Sortly, the item quantity determines the number of labels printed; for example, an item at quantity 2 prints 2 labels Sortly. Zoho Inventory handles printing through a single print job where you specify the number of copies for that job.
Which item identifiers can Zoho Inventory encode?
Zoho Inventory allows you to generate QR codes and barcodes using identifiers such as SKU, EAN, UPC, ISBN, serial numbers, and batch numbers Zoho. You can select which identifier type to encode for your specific items.
Can labels be queued when stock is received?
Lightspeed Retail R-Series automatically adds labels to the label queue when you receive inventory from a purchase order Lightspeed. This feature also triggers when creating a new item in the system.