Barcode Asset Labels for Warehouses and Field Teams
Barcode asset labels are custom tags printed with a machine-readable 1D barcode, such as Code 128 or Code 39, usually paired with a human-readable serial ID. They are useful when an organisation already has dedicated barcode scanners or warehouse systems that expect a barcode input. For phone-first field asset tracking, MapTrack recommends QR codes because they scan from any angle and open the live asset record directly, but barcode, Data Matrix and mixed QR plus barcode labels can be quoted where the workflow requires them.
Key takeaways
- Barcode labels are strongest in scanner-based warehouse or legacy workflows where a 1D scanner is already standard.
- QR labels are usually stronger for field teams because every worker can scan with a phone and open the MapTrack record directly.
- Code 128 is the common flexible barcode option for compact asset IDs; Code 39 can suit older systems that expect it.
- Data Matrix can suit compact or specialised scanner workflows, but should be proofed with the actual scanner.
- Mixed QR plus barcode labels can support a transition from scanner-based systems to MapTrack scan-to-track workflows.
When should you use barcode asset labels?
Use barcode labels when your team already scans with dedicated 1D barcode scanners or when a legacy warehouse, ERP or maintenance system expects barcode input.
Barcode labels are fast in the right environment: a fixed scan point, trained users, clean line-of-sight labels and dedicated hardware. That is why warehouses, tool stores and legacy inventory systems still use them. If your assets are scanned at a counter or cage and the system expects a barcode number, a barcode label can be the right fit.
The weakness appears in the field. A barcode needs to be scanned square-on, normally with a dedicated scanner, and usually returns a number that then needs a lookup. For mobile assets on worksites, a QR code is usually faster because a phone camera reads it from any angle and can open the live asset record immediately.
Code 128, Code 39, Data Matrix and QR compared
Code 128 and Code 39 are 1D barcodes for scanner workflows. Data Matrix and QR are 2D codes. QR is the better default for phone-based asset tracking; Data Matrix can suit compact specialised codes.
Code 128 is a dense and flexible 1D barcode that suits many asset-ID formats. Code 39 is older and less dense, but still appears in legacy systems. Data Matrix is a 2D code that can fit in tight spaces and is common in manufacturing-style workflows. QR is also 2D, but is the most familiar option for phone scanning and web-linked asset records.
| Code type | Best for | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| Code 128 barcode | Compact scanner workflows and flexible asset IDs | Needs line-of-sight barcode scanning |
| Code 39 barcode | Legacy systems that expect Code 39 | Less dense, larger code for the same data |
| Data Matrix | Compact specialised scanner workflows | Less familiar for phone-first field teams |
| QR code | Phone scanning and direct links to MapTrack records | Not always accepted by barcode-only legacy systems |
Choose and prove the right label for your assets
Configure polycarbonate or polyester labels online, or request samples before a larger worksite rollout.
- Custom logo and serial IDs
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QR plus barcode on the same label
A mixed QR plus barcode label can support both worlds: barcode scanners read the asset ID, while phones scan the QR code to open the MapTrack record.
Mixed labels are useful during transitions. The warehouse can keep scanning the barcode into an existing system, while field teams scan the QR code into MapTrack for check-out, inspections and faults. The printed serial ID gives a human-readable fallback if a scan is not available.
The design constraint is space. A small label may not fit a QR code, barcode, logo, phone number and large serial ID without hurting scan reliability. For mixed-code labels, MapTrack usually recommends proofing the layout and scanner behaviour before production.
Materials for barcode asset labels
Barcode asset labels can be printed on laminated polycarbonate or polyester for most assets, or quoted as aluminium, stainless steel or steel tags for harsher applications.
The barcode format does not make a weak material durable. If the asset is outdoors, handled daily, exposed to fuel or cleaned aggressively, the label still needs protected print and the right adhesive or mounting method. Polycarbonate and polyester suit most scanner-based equipment labels; metal tags should be quoted for heat, corrosion or mechanical fixing.
Because barcodes are less damage-tolerant than QR codes, print protection matters. A scratch across a 1D barcode can break the scan, so label placement and lamination should be treated as part of the scanner workflow.
How MapTrack handles barcode label requests
MapTrack sells QR labels online and quotes barcode, Data Matrix or mixed-code labels when the scanner workflow needs proofing.
The online store is optimised for QR labels because that is the best default for phone-first asset tracking. Barcode jobs vary more: code type, scanner, data format, label size, material and whether the barcode must coexist with a QR code all affect the design. Routing those jobs through a quote protects the buyer from ordering labels that look right but fail in the workflow.
If you need barcode labels, send the code type, sample asset IDs, scanner model if known, asset surfaces and whether the label should also link to MapTrack. The team can then proof the design and recommend whether barcode-only, QR-only or mixed-code labels are the better rollout.
Related definitions
Barcode Label
A barcode label is a printed, adhesive-backed identifier that encodes data in a machine-readable pattern of parallel lines (1D barcode) or a matrix of squares (2D barcode, such as a QR code). In asset management, barcode labels are affixed to physical assets such as equipment, tools, vehicles, IT hardware, and furniture to provide a unique, scannable identifier that links the physical item to its digital record. When a worker scans the barcode with a mobile device, handheld scanner, or smartphone camera, the system retrieves the asset's details, service history, location, and compliance status. Barcode labels are the most widely deployed asset identification technology due to their low cost, ease of printing, and compatibility with virtually all asset management software. Label materials range from standard paper for indoor use to polyester, vinyl, and metal-backed options for outdoor and industrial environments. Labels can be printed on demand using thermal transfer printers or ordered pre-printed from label suppliers, and most asset management platforms include a label designer that generates print-ready artwork with the barcode, asset number, and organisation branding.
See definition →QR Code Tracking
QR code tracking uses Quick Response (QR) codes affixed to assets that can be scanned with a standard smartphone camera to retrieve or update asset information. Each QR code links to a unique digital record containing the asset’s identity, location history, service records, and compliance status. QR codes are durable, inexpensive, and do not require specialised scanning hardware.
See definition →Asset Tagging
Asset tagging is the process of attaching a unique physical identifier, such as a barcode label, QR code, RFID tag, NFC tag, or engraved metal plate, to a physical asset so it can be individually identified, tracked, and managed throughout its lifecycle. The tag links the physical item to its digital record in an asset management system, enabling workers to scan the tag with a mobile device to instantly access the asset's details, service history, location, compliance status, and assigned documents. Asset tagging is the foundational step in establishing an asset register and is a prerequisite for effective asset tracking, maintenance management, stocktaking, and compliance auditing. The choice of tag technology depends on the operating environment (indoor versus outdoor, extreme temperatures, chemical exposure), the required read range, the value and mobility of the asset, and the budget. A well-planned asset tagging programme defines a consistent numbering scheme, selects tag materials appropriate to each environment, and establishes placement standards so tags are visible and accessible for scanning without interfering with the operation or safety of the equipment.
See definition →FAQ
- Do you make custom barcode asset labels?
- Yes. MapTrack can quote custom barcode, Data Matrix and mixed QR plus barcode asset labels. The online store focuses on QR labels, while barcode jobs go through proofed quote because scanner and data-format requirements vary.
- Are QR codes better than barcodes for asset tracking?
- For phone-first field teams, yes. QR codes scan from any angle and can open a live MapTrack asset record. Barcodes are still useful where dedicated 1D scanners and existing warehouse systems are already in place.
- Which barcode type should I use for asset labels?
- Code 128 is a common flexible option for asset IDs. Code 39 can suit older systems that require it. Data Matrix can suit compact specialised workflows. The right format should be confirmed against your scanner and software.
- Can one label include a QR code and a barcode?
- Yes, if the label is large enough for both codes to scan reliably. Mixed QR plus barcode labels can help teams keep scanner-based workflows while adding phone-based MapTrack scans.
Related guides
QR vs Barcode Asset Labels: Which to Choose
QR vs barcode asset labels compared on data, scanning, durability and cost. See when QR wins for field teams and when 1D barcodes still suit warehouses.
OperationsQR Code Asset Labels: Scan-to-Track for Field Teams
QR code asset labels that link to a live MapTrack record. Scan with any phone to check out, inspect and locate equipment. From 100 units.
OperationsHeavy-Duty Asset Labels for Australian Worksites
Custom heavy-duty asset labels for tools, plant and equipment. Compare polycarbonate, polyester and metal tags, QR/barcode options and sample paths.
Ready to specify your heavy-duty asset labels?
Order standard QR labels online or send us the environment, material and mounting requirements for a proofed metal-tag quote.
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- Polycarbonate, polyester and metal options
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