At a busy checkout counter, searching for each item by name is slow and error-prone. With a barcode scanner, each item is added in about a second, so even a full basket is billed quickly. For supermarkets, clothing stores, and pharmacies, barcode billing is not a luxury — it's a necessity.
How Barcode Billing Works
- Attach a barcode to each product (either print your own or use the manufacturer's barcode)
- Connect a USB barcode scanner to your computer (₹800–2,500 at any IT shop)
- On the billing screen, press the barcode field and scan — item name, price, and GST auto-fill
- Scan all items → total calculated → collect payment → done
Billux's POS includes a camera barcode scanner — tap the 📷 icon, point your phone camera at the barcode, and the item is added automatically. No extra hardware needed.
Printing Barcode Labels for Your Products
If your products don't have printed barcodes (common for clothing, local products, and loose items), you can create and print your own:
- In Billux, assign a barcode to each item (or let it auto-generate from item code)
- Click "🏷️ Labels" in the POS to print barcode labels for any item
- Choose from ready-made label sizes, from small 25×15 mm tags to A4 sheets, or set a custom size
- Print on label stickers with a thermal label printer, or on A4 label sheets with an ordinary printer
- Stick label on product → scan at counter → instant billing
Hardware You Need for Barcode Billing
| Equipment | Price Range | Where to Buy |
|---|---|---|
| USB Barcode Scanner | ₹800 – ₹2,500 | Amazon, local IT shop |
| Wireless Barcode Scanner | ₹2,000 – ₹5,000 | Amazon |
| Thermal Label Printer (58mm) | ₹3,000 – ₹8,000 | Amazon, IT distributor |
| Thermal Receipt Printer (80mm) | ₹4,000 – ₹12,000 | Amazon, IT distributor |
Barcode Billing for Clothing Stores (Size × Colour)
Clothing stores face a unique challenge: the same shirt comes in 4 sizes and 3 colours. Each size-colour combination needs its own barcode. Billux handles this with variant barcodes — one barcode per size-colour, all linked to the parent item. Scan "Formal Shirt / M / Blue" → correct variant deducted from stock automatically.
Setting Up Barcode Billing in Billux — 3 Steps
- Add barcode to items — Go to Items → Edit any item → Barcode field → enter or scan the barcode on the product packaging
- Open POS — Click "Fast Bill POS" in the sidebar
- Scan & Bill — Focus the search bar, scan barcode → item added → collect payment
Start free at billux.in/register — barcode billing works from day one, no configuration needed.
Not sure what hardware to buy? Read POS software vs billing machine, and keep your scanned stock accurate with our inventory management guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does barcode billing work?
Each product carries a barcode linked to an item in your software. When you scan it, the software finds the item and adds its name, price and GST rate to the bill. Scan every item, take payment and print or share the bill.
Can I use my mobile camera as a barcode scanner?
Yes. Many billing apps, including Billux, can scan barcodes with a phone or tablet camera. It is fine for low volumes; a USB or wireless scanner is faster at a busy counter.
How do I make barcodes for products that don't have one?
Give each item a code in your billing software, or let it generate one, then print labels with the barcode, name and price. Stick a label on each product, and scanning works exactly like a manufacturer barcode.
Which printer do I need for barcode labels?
A thermal label printer is the most convenient for sticker rolls. You can also print on A4 label sheets with an ordinary printer. Choose a label size that fits the product, such as 35×25 mm for small items.
