Some companies deal in designing bar code labels and selling them to other establishments. These bar code label manufacturers print both preprinted and custom designed labels according to the specifications provided by the ordering company.

Preprinted labels are ready to use labels that are sold in the market. They are available in bundles of 100, 250, 500, etc. Bar code label manufacturers create preprinted labels with technologies such as reflective printing or photocomposition. Photocomposition is an expensive process, but it produces almost authentic and high quality bar codes. Bar code labels made by photocomposition are sold at higher prices than reflective labels. Companies that do not have their own bar coding equipment buy bundles of them from the market for their use.

Manufacturers also customize bar code labels according to the requirements from the ordering company. They can change the size, color, numerical and alphabetical information, nature of the bar coding, etc. as the ordering company suggests. Information such as name of the company, date of shipment or loading, location, etc. is mentioned on customized bar code labels if needed. Manufacturers use specialized software to design the labels.

Naturally, bar code label manufacturers use high-end equipment to manufacture their labels in bulk. Several companies rely upon bar code manufacturers to buy their labels as it not only saves them money, but also time and manpower.

Computers, scanners and printers are all used in conjunction to design, test and print labels. Sequential numbers are provided on the labels so that they can be used to manage inventory. If desired, manufacturers will also place information in the form of alphabetical and numerical codes on the labels.

Bar code label manufacturers also sell other things such as nameplates, location tags, sealing tags and bar code scanners and printers.