What Does SKU Mean, And How Is It Relevant To Labelling?

SKU is a commonly used abbreviation for stock keeping unit. They are scannable codes, often appearing as barcodes or QR codes with alphanumeric digits. More than a simple string of numbers and letters, SKUs are the unsung heroes of inventory management, making locating products, tracking inventory, and assessing sales data easy.

They are unique to each retailer and reflect that business' own internal classification and organisation system, unlike the UPC (Universal Product Code) which is a standardised classification system that is universally recognised.

SKUs are particularly relevant within label manufacturing, as a label is commonly where you will find them. Think of a trip to a supermarket or hardware store as an example... Every product on their shelves contains a SKU and barcode, most of which are on a label for easy scanning at the checkout!

Beyond consumer-facing retail products, SKU labels can also be utilised by manufacturers to track raw materials and individual components/parts. They are also useful in a warehouse or distribution centre environment for keeping track of extensive inventories, and managing stock levels and order fulfilment.

Labels and SKUs are a pairing that is commonplace in a variety of settings and industries. Some of these applications include the SKU as a small part of a larger label such as a chemical product label. Others involve the SKU and associated barcode/QR code being printed on a dedicated label such as pallet racking labels.

Whatever your method of labelling for your SKUs, it's important to find a label manufacturer who understands your requirements and has the expertise to deliver a product that works. The last thing you want is for your SKU barcodes to be unreadable by barcode scanners due to low-resolution printing!

Cohesion Labels is an Australian label manufacturer with a passion for Making Labels Easy. We believe it should be easier for Aussie businesses to do business, and to do our part we've set up our entire operation to make labels easy. By de-risking the process and guaranteeing you get the product you want when you need it, we're the strongest link in your supply chain.

Get in touch with us for a quote - We'd love to see how we could make labelling easy for you!