Now that your band is ready to sell its first CD, you might want to consider getting a UPC code. A UPC code, or Universal Product Code, is used to distinguish your band’s CDs from all of the others that are out there. It will also track the sale of your CDs through Soundscan to determine how you rank on the billboards. UPC codes can also ensure that you receive all of the royalties you are owed through CD sales.

The UPC code is used to distinguish your band by registering it as an entity, which enables you to create your own barcodes that can be included on any products you sell. If you want your merchandise to be sold by the major retailers, like Amazon, you will need a barcode for each item. Software is available that can create barcodes for you, however many of these products do not guarantee that it will be unique to your band. There are several ways to get barcodes for your products, but only one way to get a UPC code. Each option has positives and negatives, so you will want to way the benefits before making a decision.

When you get your own UPC code, you are empowering your band with the ability to be the distributor of your merchandise. You can obtain a UPC code by filling out an application through the official website at www.us-council.org and sending the appropriate fees. The fee for registering your UPC code will vary depending on the amount of merchandise you have. Each item will be issued a barcode with your specific UPC code attached. The prices can range from $750 to over $25,000, depending on the size of your inventory. As you can imagine, this can be an expensive undertaking, but it does give you ultimate power over your band’s merchandise.

When you receive your registered UPC code, you will have access to the associations website, where you can create barcodes online. The software allows you to create and print barcodes that can be used on any merchandise, as well as artwork. The registered UPC code will need to be renewed on a yearly basis. This is another drawback to having your own UPC code. It is possible to use a barcode on your CD’s without the expense of a obtaining a UPC code.

There are a variety of websites that allow you to market your materials and include a barcode on the merchandise you are selling without having a UPC code. The entity that is distributing the CD will use its’ own UPC code, incorporating a unique barcode to represent your product. Most of these organizations will charge a nominal fee for this service. You are under no contractual obligation in most cases and are free to go to another organization at any time. This could result in multiple barcodes for the same product, if you switch things up on a regular basis. If you have your own UPC code and barcodes, you can avoid this problem.

Most bands use barcodes once a recording company has signed them. The UPC code will be connected with the recording company or their distributor. A unique barcode is created to represent the band and the specific CD. If your band is selling CD’s only at live venues, then UPC codes and barcodes are probably not necessary at this point. However, if you plan on selling your items on a website, even your own, it is not a bad idea to use a UPC and barcodes. This is especially important, if you want websites, like Amazon to sell your CD. You will also want the benefit of your sales being tracked on Soundscan, because you never know when your band might have the next big hit!

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