What to Include on Your Rental Barcode Labels

Barcode labels can significantly streamline tracking and managing rental items. These small but powerful labels can enhance inventory management, save time, and improve customer satisfaction. However, when implementing barcode labels, knowing what they should look like and what to include for the best experience can be challenging.

To get the most out of barcode stickers in your rental business, they must be helpful for yourself and your team. In this blog post, we will discuss what you should include, what considerations to make, and look at some industry-specific suggestions. With this information, you can confidently implement barcodes within your rental business and start seeing the effects.

What should you include on your barcode labels?

Creating effective barcode labels goes beyond merely sticking random codes on your rental items. To make the most of this technology, it is crucial to understand what information should be included on your barcode labels and how to tailor them to your specific business needs. For the best results you should include:

1. Reference/shortcode: The asset labels should include an apparent reference or short code for the rental product. This code should make it easy to identify the item quickly. You can use a product name abbreviation or a unique identifier like the last three numbers of the serial number. For example, a MacBook Pro 16-inch could have a short code like “PRO16” or “MBP-161.”

2. Branding (for B2C businesses): If you are running a B2C (business-to-consumer) rental business, consider adding your branding to the barcode label. This indicates its your property and can reinforce your brand identity which creates a sense of trust and recognition among your customers. However, as discussed in the next section, something other than this may be suitable for B2B customers.

3. Barcode: Of course, barcodes are an essential element of a barcode label, it’s in the name after all. You should look into the option for barcodes and consider which one will be best for you. For example, QR codes are more flexible for items with limited space and can be easily scanned by smartphones for quick reference.

4. Visual element: Incorporate a visual component on the barcode label for easy reference. While the barcode serves as the primary means of identification, a visual representation of the product, such as an image or icon, can be helpful for quick recognition, especially if the barcode becomes damaged or unreadable.

Considerations for B2B rental businesses

While barcode labels offer undeniable benefits for all rental businesses, catering to the unique demands of B2B (business-to-business) clients requires a tailored approach. Unlike B2C customers who may value branded labels, B2B clients have distinct preferences that must be considered. Here are some things you may want to consider:

1. Avoid branding: Unlike B2C customers who may appreciate branded barcode tags, B2B customers usually prefer unbranded labels. B2B clients often use the rental items for professional purposes and want to maintain the appearance that they own the equipment outright. Avoiding branding on the labels can also create a more neutral and professional impression.

2. Taping over labels: In some B2B scenarios, customers may tape over the barcode labels for confidentiality or security reasons. This practice is more common when rented items are used in sensitive or high-security environments. As such, ensure that your barcode labels are durable and can withstand tape without losing scannability or readability.

Getting the most out of barcode labels

By including the correct information and considering your business’s and customers’ unique needs, barcode labels can become a powerful tool to optimize rental operations. Efficient inventory management, accurate tracking, and improved customer satisfaction are benefits of a well-implemented barcode system. Take the time to choose the appropriate label design and content for your rental items, and you’ll witness its positive impact on your business in no time.