Print SKU Labels

1. Scenario

A SKU label identifies a product or product package. It is not required for every inbound shipment. Confirm the SKU labeling rule before shipment when a product has no barcode, its existing barcode cannot be identified by the warehouse, or the inbound service includes labeling or relabeling.

This guide is for customers preparing product labels before inbound delivery and for customer service staff explaining product labeling requirements.

2. Steps

Prerequisites

Confirm the following before shipment:

1. Product and SKU records have been created, and the inbound SKU details match the actual goods.
2. The warehouse or customer service team has confirmed whether labeling or relabeling is required.
3. Existing product barcodes are clear, unique, and recognizable by the warehouse.

2.1 Confirm whether SKU labels are required

Print SKU labels when:

• The product does not have a barcode.
• The warehouse cannot identify the existing product barcode.
• The customer barcode does not match the system SKU code.
• The inbound service includes labeling or relabeling.
• The product must be scanned by SKU during putaway, sorting, or stock count.
• The warehouse or customer service team explicitly requires labels before shipment.

2.2 Confirm whether the original product barcode can be used

Extra SKU labels are normally not required when:

• The product already has a clear, unique, and scannable manufacturer barcode.
• The warehouse can identify the relationship between that barcode and the SKU.
• The inbound shipment does not require labeling, relabeling, or a new identifier.
• The warehouse confirms that operations can use the original package barcode.

2.3 Check labels before shipment

Confirm that:

1. The SKU label quantity matches the quantity of products that require labeling.
2. Each barcode or QR code is clear and scannable.
3. No label is attached to the wrong product or reused.
4. The SKU in the inbound forecast matches the physical product label.

Result: every product that requires labeling has the correct SKU label, and each label matches the inbound details.

3. Notes

3.1 What SKU labels are used for

SKU labels identify products. The warehouse can use them to distinguish visually similar products, identify products without manufacturer barcodes, and scan SKUs during putaway, sorting, or stock count.

3.2 SKU labels and box labels

A SKU label is attached to a product or product package and identifies the product. A box label is attached to an outer carton and identifies the box. See Print Box Labels for carton labeling requirements.

3.3 Print quantity

SKU labels are normally printed by the quantity of products that require labeling. For example, prepare 20 matching labels when all 20 units require labels. Do not add duplicate labels when the warehouse confirms that existing product barcodes can be used.

4. FAQ

Q1: Must customers print SKU labels?

A1: Not always. Extra labels are normally not required when the product already has a recognizable barcode that matches the system SKU. Print labels when the product has no barcode, its barcode cannot be recognized, or labeling service is required.

Q2: What is the difference between a SKU label and a box label?

A2: A SKU label is attached to a product or product package and identifies the product. A box label is attached to an outer carton and identifies the box.

Q3: How many SKU labels should be printed?

A3: Print by the quantity of products that require labeling. Confirm which products can use their original barcodes, then prepare labels for the remaining quantity.

Updated: 2026-06-17