Amazon FBA labeling guide
FNSKU label requirements: size, print, and placement
Use this checklist after Seller Central generates your Amazon barcode labels and before you print the full batch. It combines current US Seller Central guidance with a separate LabelProof pre-print control workflow.
Requirements can vary by marketplace, product, and prep program. The instructions shown for your live shipment in Seller Central take priority.
Quick FNSKU label checklist
- Correct identifier: the human-readable FNSKU and decoded barcode belong to the intended product.
- Correct quantity: the number of labels matches the canonical pack list.
- Readable print: black barcode on a white, non-reflective label with clean bars and quiet space.
- Supported size: use the label format generated for your workflow and print at 100% without page scaling.
- Flat placement: avoid corners, curves, seams, openings, and removable parts.
- One exposed product barcode: cover other visible scannable product barcodes when the unit uses an Amazon barcode.
- Outside final prep: put the scannable label outside any bag, wrap, or other final packaging.
- Human test: inspect and scan a sample before printing or applying the full batch.
FNSKU label size
Amazon US Seller Central currently states that Amazon barcode label dimensions should be between 1 × 2 inches and 2 × 3 inches. Its label-printing tools support several US Letter and A4 sheet layouts; one familiar US Letter option is 30 labels per page at 1 × 2⅝ inches.
The sheet format is not permission to resize the generated barcode. Keep printer scaling at None or 100%. A browser or printer dialog set to “Fit to page” can shrink the barcode and its clear margins.
Print and material requirements
| Check | Practical requirement | Why it fails |
|---|---|---|
| Contrast | Black ink on a white, non-reflective label. | Low contrast or glare can reduce scan reliability. |
| Surface | Use an adhesive label that stays flat and readable. | Wrinkles, lifting edges, and transparent backgrounds distort bars. |
| Output | Print the original generated PDF at 100%. | Scaling, screenshots, or photocopies can soften or crop the code. |
| Condition | Reject smudged, faded, damaged, or cut-off labels. | A readable value in the source PDF does not prove the physical print will scan. |
| Test | Scan samples from the first printed sheet or roll. | Printer heat, darkness, media, and calibration can change the result. |
Placement on the unit
Apply the barcode to a smooth, flat, easily accessible surface. Do not fold it over an edge or wrap it around a curve. If the unit requires a poly bag, bubble wrap, or other final prep, place the intended scannable label on the outside.
When an Amazon barcode is used, cover other visible scannable product barcodes such as UPC, EAN, JAN, or ISBN. Do not cover legally required product information. If the correct placement is unclear, follow the instructions attached to that product and shipment in Seller Central.
What should appear on the label?
Amazon's help material describes an Amazon barcode label with a scannable barcode, its human-readable identifier such as an FNSKU, and product information used to match the label to the correct unit. Generate the label from the intended listing and condition instead of rebuilding it manually from memory.
Pre-print batch workflow
- Finalize the shipment quantities and export the labels from Seller Central.
- Create one canonical CSV pack list with
fnskuandquantity. - Use the LabelProof FNSKU label checker to find missing, unexpected, unreadable, duplicate, or quantity-mismatch issues in the PDF.
- Resolve every WARNING, FAIL, and NEEDS REVIEW result.
- Print a small sample at 100%, inspect it, and test physical scanning.
- Apply labels to representative units and verify placement before the full run.
Common FNSKU label mistakes
Wrong FNSKU
The label is valid but belongs to a different SKU, listing, or condition.
Wrong count
The PDF contains fewer or more labels than the units on the pack list.
Scaled PDF
“Fit to page” changes the generated label and quiet space.
Barcode on a curve
Bars bend around a bottle, corner, or seam and become difficult to scan.
Second barcode exposed
A manufacturer barcode remains visible beside the Amazon barcode.
Label under prep
The code is hidden or distorted after bagging, wrapping, or bundling.
FNSKU label requirements FAQ
What size should an FNSKU label be?
Amazon US Seller Central currently documents Amazon barcode labels between 1 × 2 inches and 2 × 3 inches and provides several supported sheet formats. Use the format generated for your workflow and print at 100% without scaling.
Should the FNSKU label cover the UPC?
When a unit is labeled with an Amazon barcode, other visible scannable product barcodes should be covered so the intended barcode is exposed. Verify the current product and shipment instructions in Seller Central.
Can I place the label over a corner or around a bottle?
Avoid it. Place the label on a smooth, flat surface where the entire barcode stays accessible and does not bend around a curve or edge.
Does LabelProof verify the printed label?
No. It checks supported barcode values and quantities in the source PDF against a CSV pack list. Physical size, adhesive, contrast, placement, and scan performance still require a test print and human review.
Official references
- Amazon Seller Central — Use Amazon barcodes for FBA
- Amazon Seller Central — FBA barcode requirements
- Amazon Seller Central — Product packaging requirements
Reviewed 24 August 2026 for the US-market guide. LabelProof is independent and is not affiliated with Amazon. This page is a practical checklist, not a substitute for the current instructions in your Seller Central workflow.