Your brand ships cartons of 24 units to a distribution centre and the receiving dock demands an ITF-14 on every master case. You have the unit’s EAN-13, but you do not know how to turn it into the carton code without a mistake.
How to use ITF-14 Barcode step by step
1. Type 13 digits per carton
The first digit is the packaging indicator and the next twelve come from the unit GTIN. The check digit is appended at the end.
2. Check the preview
Confirm each code shows fourteen digits and that the proportions fit what your label allows.
3. Download and print on carton
Get the PNG files or the PDF sheet and test the label stuck on the real carton before printing the full order.
The Step Count: Traditional Friction vs. KorexTools
Turning the unit EAN into the carton code by hand (4 steps)
- Pick the packaging indicator digit.
- Copy the twelve middle digits of the unit GTIN.
- Work out the check digit with the GTIN formula.
- Redo the calculation for each different carton size.
With the ITF-14 Generator on KorexTools (3 steps)
- Type the indicator plus the twelve middle digits, one per line.
- Check that each preview shows fourteen digits.
- Download the batch and attach it to the order.
ITF-14: how to identify the carton that holds your products in the supply chain
ITF-14 is the flavour of “interleaved 2 of 5” that identifies cases, cartons and pallets with a GTIN-14. It has fourteen digits: the first is the packaging level (1 to 8 for fixed-size groupings, 9 for variable quantity), the next twelve reuse the unit’s GTIN without its check digit, and the last is a fresh verification digit. It is the code you see printed straight onto corrugated board in warehouses and distribution centres.
This tool takes your thirteen digits, works out the fourteenth and draws the bars in wide blocks that tolerate the rough surface of cardboard. You can paste a list of cartons and export one PNG each or a PDF sheet. Note that the tool does not draw the bearer bars GS1 recommends for printing directly on corrugated; if your print supplier asks for them, they are added in the carton artwork.
How to choose the indicator digit
- •Use 1 for the first grouping of units (a case of 12 pieces, for example).
- •Each different packaging level of the same product must carry its own indicator.
- •For variable-quantity or variable-weight cases, GS1 reserves the indicator 9.
ITF-14 against EAN-13
| Aspect | ITF-14 | EAN-13 |
|---|---|---|
| Digits | 14 (13 + check) | 13 (12 + check) |
| What it identifies | Case or pallet holding units | Consumer sales unit |
| Surface | Corrugated board | Individual pack |
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
- ⚠️Putting the same ITF-14 on two different carton sizes.
- ⚠️Shrinking the label until the bar width falls below the minimum for cardboard.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I reuse the unit GTIN for the carton?
No. The carton needs its own GTIN-14: you reuse the twelve middle digits of the unit, but change the leading indicator and recalculate the check digit.
Why does the tool reject 12 or 15 digits?
Because ITF-14 requires exactly 13 input digits (or 14 with the correct check). Any other length does not fit the standard.
Can I print it on an ordinary printer on adhesive paper?
Yes, for labels stuck onto the carton. If you print straight on corrugated board, your print supplier needs to set the minimum bar width.
What I would do if I were in your shoes
«To ship to a distribution centre, ask for their labelling manual first: if it calls for ITF-14, use one indicator per case level and test a label stuck on real cardboard before printing hundreds.» — DataKorex Engineering Team.