Buyer resource
Private-Label Packaging, Barcodes and Carton Marks
Keep garment counts, selling-unit identifiers, artwork revisions and carton information consistent from sample to shipment.
01
Define what the consumer buys
Name the selling unit first: one garment, a three-pair sock pack or a two-piece pajama set. Then record the internal contents by style, color and size. A buyer may assign different item identifiers to individual components, retail packs and shipping cases. Obtain that assignment from the buyer's product-data team before preparing the retail artwork.
02
Build a pack-data master
Keep the buyer item code, assigned barcode, selling-unit description, artwork revision, pack format and component list in one record. Preserve identifiers as text, especially codes that begin with zero. Ask who supplies the final print-ready artwork and who checks the encoded data. A visually recognizable barcode still needs verification against the intended record and the agreed scanning requirement.
03
Reconcile pack and carton quantities
Use distinct fields for garments or pairs, retail packs, and packs per carton. For a three-pair sock pack with 24 packs in a full carton, the carton contains 72 pairs. When 2,000 packs are ordered, there are 83 full cartons and 8 packs remaining. Agree a partial-carton arrangement or a revised quantity and record the agreed final quantity.
04
Approve the packed sample and marks together
Check actual folded dimensions before approving packaging dimensions. Compare size wording, pack contents, assigned identifiers and carton marks with the data master. Include PO and destination references where required by the buyer. If a SKU or assortment changes, review the corresponding artwork and packing record again. This guide is a data-control workflow, not an identifier-allocation standard.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Using pairs and packs interchangeably in the quote.
- Losing leading zeros when a spreadsheet imports codes.
- Treating a barcode image as approval of the pack contents.
Technical and regulatory references
Check the scope for your product and destination. These references do not establish certification, approval or test results for a DALI product or factory.
- FTC Care Labeling Rule
United States care-label requirements and the basis for care instructions.
References checked .
Working example
Retail pack and carton data master
| Field | Illustrative entry | Control |
|---|---|---|
| Selling unit | Three-pair sock pack | Not one individual sock |
| Pack contents | Black / gray / white, one pair each | Same buyer size |
| Buyer item code | Buyer-assigned reference | Preserve as text |
| Barcode | Provided by buyer | Check encoding and artwork |
| Retail packs ordered | 2000 | 6000 total pairs |
| Full-carton capacity | 24 packs | 72 pairs |
| Full cartons | 83 | 1992 packs |
| Partial carton | 8 packs | 24 pairs; arrangement to approve |
| Artwork / marks | PACK_R03 / CARTON_R02 | PO, item, destination as instructed |
Project worksheet
Start with the Project brief, then complete the relevant product details. Email the workbook and available references to [email protected]. You can leave undecided items blank.
Use the completed worksheet alongside the product drawings, approved specification and agreed order requirements.
Useful information
Your working checklist
- 01Selling-unit contents
- 02Barcode data
- 03Artwork version
- 04Units per carton
- 05Carton-mark instructions
Frequently asked
Buyer questions
01Who should assign the barcode?
Ask the buyer or brand's product-data contact to provide the authorized identifier and selling-unit mapping.
02Can cartons contain mixed sizes or colors?
Only if the buyer packing instruction defines the mix. Record the exact contents and keep the carton mark consistent with them.
From preparation to development
Discuss the questions that remain open.
Use the guide to organize the information you have, then discuss your product and estimated bulk requirement with DALI. A complete worksheet or technical pack is not required for the first conversation.