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Barcode Tracking

Barcode uniform
tracking software

Scan to issue. Scan to return. Log laundry cycles, alterations, and stock movements — all tied to individual garments through a simple barcode. Built for hospitality teams who need reliable tracking without spreadsheets or paper logs.

No special hardware required  ·  Works on any smartphone  ·  No long-term contract

Five steps from garment to record

Uniformly's barcode workflow is designed to fit seamlessly into a hospitality operation — from the linen room to the laundry bay and back. Each scan creates a permanent, timestamped entry in the garment's history.

Setup

Tag each garment

Attach a printed barcode label to each garment, or use the serial number barcode that many manufacturers already sew into collars and waistbands. Uniformly accepts standard Code 128, Code 39, and QR code formats — no proprietary labels to purchase. A single labelling session gets your stock registered and ready to track.

Registration

Register in Uniformly

Scan each barcode to create a garment record. Set the garment type (jacket, trousers, shirt), size, colour, department, and any replacement cost. Uniformly stores this as the garment's permanent profile. Bulk import is also available for large initial stock registers, letting you bring an existing spreadsheet or CSV across in minutes.

Issue

Scan to issue

At the point of issue, select the employee from the Uniformly directory and scan the garment barcode. The system logs the employee, garment, date, and time in a single tap. Issue multiple garments in one session — ideal for new-hire onboarding or season changeovers where large volumes of uniforms need to move quickly and accurately.

Return

Scan to return

When a garment comes back, scan the barcode to close the issue record. Staff can log a condition note at return — good condition, requires laundry, stained, damaged, or needs alteration. The garment is immediately marked as returned in the employee's record and its status updated in inventory. No manual data entry, no room for disputes.

Laundry & Lifecycle

Track through laundry

Each laundry cycle can be logged against the garment record — keeping a running count of wash cycles per item. This helps teams identify garments approaching end-of-life based on actual use rather than guesswork, supporting timely reorder decisions and reducing the risk of presenting worn-out uniforms to guests. Alteration and repair jobs can also be logged and monitored from the same record.

Replace paper logs with something that actually works

Barcode scanning removes the manual effort and human error that comes with paper-based or spreadsheet-driven uniform management.

Fast, accurate issue and return

A barcode scan takes under a second. Compared to writing on a paper log or updating a shared spreadsheet, scanning reduces the time spent on each uniform transaction and eliminates transcription errors that can cause stock discrepancies down the line.

Replaces paper logs
📋

Full garment lifecycle history

Every scan builds a timestamped audit trail for each garment — who had it, when it was returned, how many laundry cycles it has been through, and any condition notes recorded at each return. This history is searchable and available at any time, from any authorised device.

Item-level audit trail
📦

Real-time inventory visibility

As garments are issued and returned, stock counts update automatically. Managers can see at a glance how many items are in circulation, in laundry, in alteration, or available — without having to count racks or reconcile spreadsheets. Reorder alerts can be configured to flag low stock levels automatically.

Live stock counts
🔍

Accountability without confrontation

When a garment goes missing or is returned damaged, the scan record shows exactly who last had it and when. This removes ambiguity from conversations about lost or damaged items and provides a clear factual basis for any replacement or deduction processes — without relying on memory or handwritten notes.

Clear accountability

Built for every uniform moment

From the first day a new hire joins to the day they leave — and every laundry handover in between — Uniformly's barcode tracking fits how hospitality teams actually operate.

🏨

New hire onboarding

Issue a full set of uniforms to a new employee on their first day. Scan each garment, confirm the assignment, and the employee's record is immediately populated with every item they've received — sizes, quantities, and issue dates included.

Typical scenario: front office, housekeeping, F&B

🧺

Daily laundry handovers

Log batches of garments into laundry at the start of each day and back out on return. Each cycle is counted against the garment record, giving you a reliable view of wear rate and helping you plan linen room stock accordingly.

Typical scenario: housekeeping, spa, kitchen

✂️

Alteration drop-offs

When a garment is sent to the in-house tailor or an external alterations service, scan it out with a status of "Alteration." Track its return, log what work was done, and route it back to the issuing employee — all without a single paper form.

Typical scenario: bespoke uniform programmes

🚪

Offboarding and departures

When a staff member leaves, pull up their complete uniform record and scan each garment as it's returned. Any missing items are immediately visible. A timestamped return record is created, supporting transparent departure processes and reducing uniform loss.

Typical scenario: all departments, seasonal changeovers

Technology Comparison

Barcode vs RFID — which is right for your property?

Barcodes offer a low-cost, widely compatible approach to garment tracking — no reader infrastructure required, and scanning works on any smartphone. RFID allows bulk scanning without line-of-sight and can automate laundry counting at scale, but requires dedicated reader hardware and a higher upfront investment. Neither is universally better; the right choice depends on your operation's volume, budget, and workflow.

Read the full comparison →

Common questions about barcode tracking

Uniformly supports standard 1D barcodes (Code 128, Code 39) as well as QR codes. You can print labels using any standard label printer, or use the existing serial number barcodes already sewn into many garments. There is no proprietary barcode format required — if your printer or label stock produces a scannable barcode, it will work with Uniformly.
No specialist hardware is required. Uniformly is designed to work with the camera on any modern smartphone or tablet — iOS or Android. If your team prefers a more traditional setup, Uniformly is also compatible with standard USB and Bluetooth barcode scanner peripherals that act as keyboard input devices. Most operations start with mobile scanning and add dedicated scanners if volume increases.
Yes. Each garment in Uniformly can be registered with a unique barcode, giving you item-level tracking across its full lifecycle. You can view every issue, return, laundry cycle, condition note, and alteration logged against a specific garment — from a single record. This is particularly useful for high-value items like tailored jackets or embroidered pieces where individual accountability matters.
When a garment is scanned on return, Uniformly logs the return date and time, the employee it was assigned to, and prompts staff to record a condition note if needed (e.g. good, stained, damaged, requires repair). The garment is then marked as available or routed to laundry or alteration depending on the condition. The employee's record is automatically updated to reflect the return, and the garment re-enters inventory.
Yes. Barcodes are the recommended method for fast, accurate garment tracking, but Uniformly also supports manual lookup by garment ID, employee name, or department. Teams can adopt barcode scanning at their own pace — starting with manual workflows and adding scanning as their processes mature. See also our inventory management features for the full range of tracking options available.

Ready to ditch the paper logs?

Start tracking uniforms with barcode scanning today. Set up takes minutes, no hardware purchase required, and your team can start scanning on any smartphone straight away.