Create Python-powered printable labels

Creating Python-powered printable labels involves generating customized labels using Python libraries, typically in PDF or image formats. This allows for programmatic control of label content such as text, barcodes, and layout, which is ideal for inventory, shipping, and product packaging.

Here’s a complete example using reportlab (for PDF label generation) and python-barcode (for barcode creation):

Requirements

Install the necessary libraries:

bash
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pip install reportlab python-barcode pillow

Step-by-Step Code to Generate Printable Labels

python
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from reportlab.lib.pagesizes import letter
from reportlab.pdfgen import canvas
from reportlab.lib.units import mm
from barcode import Code128
from barcode.writer import ImageWriter
from PIL import Image

import os

# Configuration
LABEL_WIDTH = 70 * mm
LABEL_HEIGHT = 35 * mm
LABEL_MARGIN = 5 * mm
LABELS_PER_ROW = 3
LABELS_PER_COLUMN = 8
PAGE_WIDTH, PAGE_HEIGHT = letter

output_pdf = "labels_output.pdf"

# Sample data for labels
labels_data = [
    {"name": "Product A", "sku": "A1001"},
    {"name": "Product B", "sku": "B1002"},
    {"name": "Product C", "sku": "C1003"},
    {"name": "Product D", "sku": "D1004"},
    {"name": "Product E", "sku": "E1005"},
    {"name": "Product F", "sku": "F1006"},
    {"name": "Product G", "sku": "G1007"},
    {"name": "Product H", "sku": "H1008"},
]

# Function to create barcode images
def generate_barcode(sku, path):
    code = Code128(sku, writer=ImageWriter(), add_checksum=False)
    barcode_path = os.path.join(path, f"{sku}.png")
    code.save(barcode_path, {"module_width": 0.2, "module_height": 10.0})
    return barcode_path

# Create PDF
def create_labels(labels, output_file):
    c = canvas.Canvas(output_file, pagesize=letter)
    x_start = LABEL_MARGIN
    y_start = PAGE_HEIGHT - LABEL_MARGIN - LABEL_HEIGHT
    x = x_start
    y = y_start

    temp_barcode_dir = "temp_barcodes"
    os.makedirs(temp_barcode_dir, exist_ok=True)

    label_count = 0
    for label in labels:
        # Generate barcode
        barcode_img_path = generate_barcode(label['sku'], temp_barcode_dir)

        # Draw border (optional)
        c.rect(x, y, LABEL_WIDTH, LABEL_HEIGHT)

        # Add product name
        c.setFont("Helvetica", 9)
        c.drawString(x + 5 * mm, y + LABEL_HEIGHT - 10, label['name'])

        # Add SKU
        c.setFont("Helvetica", 8)
        c.drawString(x + 5 * mm, y + LABEL_HEIGHT - 20, f"SKU: {label['sku']}")

        # Draw barcode
        c.drawImage(barcode_img_path, x + 5 * mm, y + 5 * mm, width=60, height=15, preserveAspectRatio=True)

        # Move to next label position
        label_count += 1
        x += LABEL_WIDTH + LABEL_MARGIN
        if label_count % LABELS_PER_ROW == 0:
            x = x_start
            y -= LABEL_HEIGHT + LABEL_MARGIN

        if label_count % (LABELS_PER_ROW * LABELS_PER_COLUMN) == 0:
            c.showPage()
            x = x_start
            y = y_start

    c.save()

    # Cleanup temporary barcode images
    for f in os.listdir(temp_barcode_dir):
        os.remove(os.path.join(temp_barcode_dir, f))
    os.rmdir(temp_barcode_dir)

# Generate the labels PDF
create_labels(labels_data, output_pdf)

How It Works

• Each label includes a product name, SKU, and barcode.

• The layout is configured for A4/letter paper with multiple rows and columns of labels.

• Barcodes are generated as PNG images using python-barcode and embedded into a PDF using reportlab.

• All temporary files are deleted after PDF creation.

Customization Tips

• Label Size: Adjust LABEL_WIDTH and LABEL_HEIGHT for different label sheets.

• Font Size & Style: Modify setFont() calls.

• Label Sheet Compatibility: Match layout to Avery or other label sheet specifications.

• Dynamic Data Source: Replace labels_data with CSV/Excel input for bulk generation.

This approach offers a flexible, automated way to create printable labels from product or inventory data using Python.