EasyScan fully supports PLU barcode formats, allowing your warehouse or retail team to scan variable-priced items seamlessly. However, because PLU barcodes contain embedded data (like weight or price) rather than a fixed product ID, you must enable a specific setting in the app before you begin.
🧐 What is a PLU Barcode?
A standard retail barcode (like a UPC or EAN) always reads exactly the same way, representing one specific product variant.
A PLU barcode is dynamic. It typically starts with a specific prefix (often beginning with a 2) followed by a product identifier, a check digit, and most importantly the total price or weight calculated directly by your digital retail scale. EasyScan needs to be configured to parse this data correctly so it matches the underlying item in your Shopify inventory.
🛠️ How to Enable PLU Support in EasyScan
To ensure EasyScan correctly identifies your variable-weight or variable-price items, follow these quick setup steps:
Open the EasyScan app dashboard in your Shopify Admin.
Look at the app's navigation menu and click on the Settings tab.
Within the Settings menu, navigate to the General tab.
Scroll down until you see the configuration section labelled "Find products using their Price look-up numbers (PLUs) from price or weight embedded barcodes".
Toggle the setting to Enabled.
Select your specific PLU structure template from the drop-down (matching how your scale encodes the price or weight digits).
Click Save at the top right of the page.
💡 Pro Tip: Once enabled, when you pull the scanner trigger on a scale-printed label, EasyScan will automatically strip away the trailing price/weight variable digits to instantly match the core product SKU or barcode identifier inside your Shopify catalog.
📋 Best Practices for Your Shopify Product Setup
To prevent scanning errors on the floor after turning this setting on:
Prefix Mapping: Ensure the base item code programmed into your digital scale matches the exact barcode or SKU value you have typed into that product's variant profile inside Shopify.
Test a Scan: Before running a massive stocktake or fulfillment rush, print a sample label from your scale, open Notepad on your computer to see what raw numbers it outputs, and then scan it inside EasyScan's test field to ensure it pulls up the correct item.
💬 Frequently Asked Questions
My PLU barcodes aren't being recognized. What's wrong?
First, verify that the setting is fully saved under Settings > General. Second, check your scale's output format. If your scale outputs a custom prefix or an unusual digit layout that EasyScan isn't parsing correctly, your scanner will simply read it as an "Unknown Barcode."
Can we configure custom PLU parsing logic via an API?
EasyScan does not currently feature a public API for custom developer overrides or external parsing engines. We build our app's configuration tools directly around standard merchant retail setups! If your business requires a unique PLU structure or a specific API integration, please get in touch with our support team so we can look over your use case.