Amazon Transparency Sample Labels
Overview
In this article your will learn more about the Amazon Transparency program and how BarTender's interim transparency samples can help you meet the Transparency program requirements.
Applicable to
BarTender 2019 and later
Information
What is the Amazon Transparency Program?
You can learn more about Transparency here:
- Amazon Transparency: Product Authentication and Counterfeit Prevention(English)
- Amazon Transparency: Product Authentication and Counterfeit Prevention(简体中文)
BarTender and Transparency
The Transparency program recommends that the Transparency information be incorporated into the primary product label design. Until manufacturers and vendors can fully implement this process, they can configure and print interim labels that they then affix to their pre-existing product labels, in a secondary labeling process that Amazon calls over labeling.
Seagull Scientific provides a BarTender labeling solution that includes several preconfigured label templates that conform to the branding and application guidelines that the Transparency program requires for interim labels.
These templates include all of the following required elements in the correct format, layout, and dimensions:
- Transparency logo
- Transparency call to action and description
- Data Matrix ECC 200 symbol
- Printed Product ID
Prerequisites
The BarTender interim label solution assumes that you already have a primary label that includes product information, branding, and a product identifier, such as a UPC, GTIN, SKU, or EAN.
BarTender prerequisites
You need to have BarTender installed in order to use the samples. If you don't have BarTender yet, you can try the solution using the BarTender 30 day trial.
If you need help getting started with BarTender, check out our getting started videos.
Transparency prerequisites
To use the BarTender interim label solution, you must first request your Transparency identifier codes from Amazon. These codes are delivered in a CSV file and are listed in the Public_Code column. You can get more information directly from Amazon.
After you have BarTender installed and have obtained your identifier codes from Amazon, follow the instructions below to download, configure and print the Transparency labels.
Sample Templates
There are currently four label samples for Transparency. Choose the sample that works best for your product.
Transparency Square
If your packaging has a printed product ID (UPC, EAN, SKU, or FNSKU) and a square label fits best, use this label.
1.125” w x 1.125” h
Transparency Rectangle
If your packaging has a printed product ID (UPC, EAN, SKU, or FNSKU) and a wide rectangular label fits best, use this label.
1.75” w x .75” h
Transparency UPC Product ID
If you are applying a UPC product ID barcode and a Transparency barcode, use this label.
1.375” w x 1.375” h
Transparency Branded
If your packaging has a printed product ID (UPC, EAN, SKU, or FNSKU) and logo/brandname, use this label.
3.917” w x 1.375” h
Sample Transparency Codes
If you don't have your Transparency codes yet, but you want to test the BarTender samples, you can use our sample Transparency.csv file. However, have in mind that these sample codes cannot be used in production and will be rejected by Amazon.Modifying the transparency samples with Amazon supplied transparency files
Once you've downloaded the sample(s) that you want to use, you'll need to connect the sample to the Transparency CSV file provided to you by Amazon instead of making use of the sample Transparency.csv file.
To connect a sample document to your CSV file:
- In BarTender, open one of the .btw documents that you just downloaded.
- Now access the File > Database Connection Setup menu item.
- Under Connection Properties, click the Browse button to replace te existing connection.
- Select the Transparency ID CSV file supplied by Amazon.
- Click OK.
When you double-click the Transparency ID barcode object on the template to open the Barcode Properties page, you can see that the Transparency code database field is automatically linked as a data source to the Data Matrix symbol. If your Transparency ID codes are stored under a different field name than Field 1 (usually called Public_Code field) you will need to pick instead the right field name under the Data Source tab.
For simplicity and ease of use, the Product ID has been added to every BTW sample as a static data source and object. If you want to enter a different Product ID just double click on the text or barcode object that contains the Product ID and edit its Embedded Data field, or create multiple BarTender documents (one per product ID).
If you would like to prompt instead for the Product ID at print time, you could modify the provided samples and add data entry forms to them. The minimum required BarTender Edition to make use of data entry forms is the Professional Edition.
For more information on how to connect your BarTender document to a database file visit the following support article: Connecting to a database
Printing transparency samples
To print your Transparency labels:
- Click the Print icon to configure your printer settings and print your labels.
- One label is printed for each Transparency identifier code in the database.
- Manually apply the labels to your items.
The Transparency guidelines require that the Transparency symbol and barcode be front-facing whenever possible. If front facing is not possible, priority order would be to affix them on the back, then side, and then the top of the packaging
Other Considerations
- Each product ID (SKU, GTIN, UPC, or EAN) must be printed separately with its own set of Transparency identifier codes.
- If your current printer does not support the label stock that the Transparency labels require, you may need to invest in a separate printer for the interim labels.
- The solution does not yet include verification of whether Transparency codes were previously used in a prior print job.
Additional Information
Still Need Help?
If you still need help getting started with Transparency and BarTender, just contact us.