Cardboard Shoe Boxes with SKU Barcodes for Faster Stock Counts

Hand measuring is time-consuming. One style could have countless colors with over thirty sizes each, and the boxes all begin to look a little the same in the shelf. Reading a printed SKU barcode in a cardboard shoe box reduces the time it takes to read by scanning and now you instantly see what is inside. Here’s where, how and what to check a barcode before ordering.

What Is a SKU Barcode on a Shoe Box?

What is a style number? (style codes) A SKU (stock keeping unit) is an internal numbering system a company uses to catalogue styles. A barcode is just a SKU in barcode format. For a shoe a sku is normally style, colour and size e.g. RUN-TRAIL-BLK-9.

A SKU is not a UPC The UPC is a retail standard, ours works in any store. The SKU is only yours, no other. Several brands will print this on the box.

Stock Counting Difficulties in the Footwear Industry

One shape, three colors and twelve sizes = 36 variants here are some of their problems:

The size labels have been written down by hand, they are smudged and handwritten.
Box end labels are covered over by boxes when stacked.
Confusing colors such as black and navy are interpreted here.
Picking will be shut down for hours if you try to pick the whole warehouse at once.

Cycle counting, a system of staying on top of it by breaking it into small chunks instead of trying to do everything. And that only works if everything is quick.

How Barcodes Speed Up Counts

Task	Manual counting	Barcode scanning
Sizing & colour specs	Read label by eye	One scan
More than, because, lower than, as data can be entered automatically but is inputted manually
New Staff Training	Duties of new staff Product knowledge	Basic scanner training
Re-Scan Inventory	Additional at storage	It is updated upon scanning
Fit for cycle counting	Slow	Practical

Barcode Placement

Different locations don’t matter as much as consistent placement. Here are some suggestions that seem to work well:

Place on the end panel so it can be seen when boxes are put in sideways shelving.
Consistent placement - have the same spot on all boxes so your staff will learn where they have to hit.
Steer clear of location on folds, seams and glue lines, which lose the line.
Make sure to leave blank space around the code-known as the quiet zone-so that scanners will be able to get a clear scan.
Print the SKU on human readable text at the bottom of the barcode in case it’s unreadable.

Selecting the Appropriate Cardboard Shoe Box

The choice of box you select will affect how much protection you get and how the barcode will print.

Box type	Best for	Barcode consideration
Corrugated Shoe boxes	Shipping and heavy shoes	Less toothy surface, therefore label or a coated print field
Paperboard folding cartons	Retail shelves and lighter shoes	A clean surface makes for crisp barcodes.
Kraft shoe boxes	Eco-Friendly Brands	Dark color - requires contrast from a label patch.
With lid	Premium and gift packaging	Code around edge of base:)
Customized Shoe box		Create The Barcode section can be easily integrated into the customized Shoe box.

When placing wholesale shoe boxes in bulk, such as christmas shoeboxes, then a special barcode section can be added in your design during the design process.

Printed Barcodes or Stick-On Labels

Print on the product while it is being made for a consistent result that will not peel. The drawback is that the SKU remains consistent for the entire printing process so is suitable for SKUs where the code does not change. Stick-on labels are more flexible as they can be printed with new stock and replaced with new labels when the SKU changes. This is especially useful for seasonal items such as christmas shoeboxes, where designs and codes often change from one holiday season to the next.

Perhaps a middle ground approach would be; define boxes that have a real flat label space, and put the labels on the actual warehouse in the warehouse.

How to Implement a Barcode System

Create a SKU pattern. Only take a few characters that are meaningful, like style/color/size.
Connect each SKU to a product entry in your inventory or ecommerce platform.
Choose a barcode type that will be supported by your scanner and software. Code 128 is preferred for internal barcodes.
Testrun a small batch. You can scan a box sample with your standard warehouse light.
Train staff on placement and scanning routines.

Mistakes To Watch Out For

Placing barcodes on curved or creased surfaces
Printing codes too small to read
Reusing one SKU for different sizes
Use of low-contrast colours, like a light grey code on the kraft board.
Changing SKU formats mid-season without updating records

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I print a barcode on a shoe box?

Yes. It can be printed during manufacturing, or added later with a label. Any will do as long as the surface is flat, and you have sufficient contrast.

Do I need a different SKU for each shoe size?

Yes. Every size and color is a different SKU. Keeping each size and color as a different SKU will maintain the counts.

Is a SKU the same as a UPC?

No. A UPC is a common code used throughout the retailers, while the SKU is created by your business.

Which box material is suitable for scanning?

Papers that will cut most cleanly. All die-cut paperboard will give you the cleanest printing. Kraft and Corrugated boxes are much better with a white label area.

Conclusion

A cardboard shoe box with a SKU barcode on top replaces the laborious task of stacks of boxes to the stock count with a quick scan. Here’s what you need to do: Choose a intelligent SKU format; Ship it consistently; Use what provides enough contrast; pick the right box material for your print process. Prepare your barcode field at the outset.