I ran into the same problem you did, I bought a store without and inventory system in place also, but we make our own candles. What I did was read this article about Barcodes (link here: the-comprehensive-guide-to-1d-and-2d-barcodes ) This helped me choose a size style of Barcode. With 1D Barcodes the more characters there are the longer it gets and Square can use up to 40 characters for a SKU. So what we did was for items that came with Barcodes we use those barcodes, and then for our products we created 2D Aztec code barcodes to keep them small (1/4 inch square reads but not always, 5/16 inch square reads more often). Your next issue will be Small labels to print on or you may need a cardboard Tag to put a label on. Jeweler (Barbell Tags may work) Link here to what they look like (https://jewelrylabelsandtags.com/ ) I am using this site for reference only to what I am referring to, not giving a recommendation for good quality or best price here. These are about .625 x 1" which as you see works with 1D barcodes of about 12 characters, an Aztec code can handle Squares 40 Characters but is a 2D Barcode. Next obstacle would be your Accounting Software (Mine is QuickBooks Desktop which has a SKU limit of 30 characters).
So when making up an SKU you need to keep this in mind.
Here is what I did...
1 Read to find out what a Barcode and Barcode Reader Does and the types.
2 Read to Find out what types of Barcode Readers work with My Point of Sale System (Square Stand with Ipad).
3 Bought a Cheap 2D handheld Scanner that was not compatible with Square. Does Not work with Square Stand and Ipad but does work at home on a Computer for inventory in a Spreadsheet. Then Bought a Zebra 2D Scanner off of Amazon DS6878, read what barcodes it can read. Just because a Scanner says 1D or 2D reader does not mean it reads EVERY barcode but reads most of them.
4 Tested which Barcodes my scanner could read on the computer, then tested it with my Square Stand. Cheap computer scanner does not read Aztec codes but the Zebra scanner does with the PC and Square. Just printed out a few barcodes on regular printer paper for testing purposes.
5 Label printer - Bought a Zebra 420 D and a 420 T.... Difference is the D prints directly to the special label stock (no ink or Ribbon) , not just ANY label but Direct Thermal Labels. The T is for Thermal Transfer Labels ( This printer needs a Ribbon) that is heated to put the text (barcode on a label). The Direct Labels come in colors but each label is one color, The Thermal Transfer Labels you can have your logo on in colors and print in an area for the barcode or other text.
6 Now I have what Type of Barcode I want to use for up to 30 Characters ...2D because 1D would need a short UPC code to fit on the label. How do I create Barcodes all the same size? Well Square can create barcodes for you now or when I started I just used the name of my item.
7 Ordered a few sample size Direct Thermal labels to test with and see how large or small I can make my barcodes and fit them to the labels.
8 Tried the Thermal Transfer labels that I printed my Scent on for the candles and added the Aztec code to it so only 1 Label goes on a candle instead of 1 for Barcode and 1 for Scent.
9 Finished product in the Image below. Aztec Code Reads cashmere woods 28oz which is my UPC in Square. Using the name of the item also allows me to scan it in to the Virtual terminal. Found this out by accident. Barcodes of 4567899778 end up being a $ amount in the Virtual terminal on a computer. The virtual computer does not check UPC codes for some reason.
Any other questions just ask.
