What is EAN-8?
EAN-8 is the retail point-of-sale barcode used with GTIN-8 identifiers. It is intended for small products where EAN-13 or UPC-A would occupy too much package space.
When EAN-8 is used
GTIN-8 assignments are controlled within the GS1 system and are generally reserved for products too small to accommodate the larger EAN/UPC symbols.
EAN-8 vs EAN-13
Both are EAN/UPC retail symbols. EAN-8 carries eight digits and is physically narrower; EAN-13 carries a GTIN-13 and is the more common international retail format.
Scanning and printing
EAN-8 is designed for omnidirectional retail scanning. Correct quiet zones, bar dimensions, contrast and placement are critical at point of sale.
Practical implementation advice
Barcode artwork that looks correct on screen can still fail after printing. Preserve quiet zones, avoid non-uniform scaling, choose an appropriate X-dimension or module size, and test the final printed symbol with the scanners and software used in the real workflow.
Standards and references
GS1 reference: GS1 barcode standards. GS1 also publishes freely reusable examples for EAN/UPC and ITF-14 in its Style Guide.