How to Merge Images, QR Codes, or Barcodes

7 min read

Label Maker can dynamically insert different images into each label based on URLs in your Google Sheet. This is perfect for product labels with unique QR codes, inventory labels with barcodes, or any label that needs a different image per row.

How to Merge Images from Google Sheets

Step 1: Open a Blank Google Document

Start with a new blank Google Doc where you want to create your labels.

Step 2: Open the Label Maker Add-on

  1. Click Extensions in the menu bar
  2. Select Label Maker
  3. Click Create Labels to open the sidebar

If you don't see Label Maker in the list, you'll need to install the add-on first.

Step 3: Select a Template

  1. In the Label Maker sidebar, click the Label Template button
  2. Use the search bar to find your desired template (e.g., "Avery 5160")
  3. Select the template and click Apply template

Step 4: Add Image Merge Fields

  1. Click Select a spreadsheet and choose a Google Sheet that contains image URLs
  2. Click Select a field and choose the column that contains your image URLs

Important: For a column to be recognized as containing images, the column header must include the word "image" (e.g., "Product Image", "QR Image", "image"). The values in this column must be publicly accessible image URLs.

Step 5: Create and Print Labels

  1. After formatting your label design, click Create Labels
  2. Wait for the new document to generate, then click Open
  3. Load your label paper into the printer
  4. Click File → Print
  5. Set margins to None and scale to 100%

How to Use Images from Google Drive

If your images are stored in Google Drive, you need to make them publicly accessible:

  1. Go to Google Drive
  2. Right-click on the image file
  3. Click Get link (or Share)
  4. Change the access to Anyone with the link
  5. Copy the link and paste it into the appropriate column in your Google Sheet

Note: Images must be publicly accessible for Label Maker to fetch them. Private or restricted images will not appear in your labels.

How to Resize Images Automatically

You can control the size of merged images by adding dimensions to the column header. The word "image" must still be included in the header.

Column Header Examples

  • image 200x200 — Image will be resized to 200px width and 200px height
  • image 200xauto — Image will be resized to 200px width; height adjusts automatically
  • image autox200 — Image will be resized to 200px height; width adjusts automatically
  • Product image 150x150 — Works with descriptive names too

This is especially useful for ensuring QR codes and barcodes are consistently sized across all labels.

How to Generate QR Codes

QR codes can be dynamically generated using online services that create QR code images from URLs or text. Here's how:

  1. Use a QR code generator service like qrcode.tec-it.com
  2. Generate a QR code for each item (URL, text, or data)
  3. Copy the QR code image URL
  4. Paste the URL into your Google Sheet's image column

Pro Tip: Dynamic QR Code URLs

Many QR code services allow you to generate QR codes via URL parameters. For example:

https://api.qrserver.com/v1/create-qr-code/?size=150x150&data=YOUR_DATA_HERE

You can use spreadsheet formulas to dynamically create these URLs for each row in your data.

How to Generate Barcodes

Barcodes work the same way as QR codes. Use an online barcode generator service:

  1. Visit a barcode generator like barcode.tec-it.com
  2. Generate barcodes for your product codes, SKUs, or other data
  3. Copy the barcode image URLs
  4. Add them to your Google Sheet's image column

Supported Barcode Formats

Most barcode generators support common formats including:

  • Code 128 — General purpose, alphanumeric
  • Code 39 — Alphanumeric, widely used
  • UPC-A / UPC-E — Retail products (US)
  • EAN-13 / EAN-8 — Retail products (International)
  • QR Code — 2D code for URLs, text, data

Example Spreadsheet Setup

Here's how your Google Sheet might look:

| Name        | SKU    | QR image 100x100                              |
|-------------|--------|-----------------------------------------------|
| Product A   | SKU001 | https://api.qrserver.com/...?data=SKU001      |
| Product B   | SKU002 | https://api.qrserver.com/...?data=SKU002      |
| Product C   | SKU003 | https://api.qrserver.com/...?data=SKU003      |

When you create labels, each label will display the product name, SKU, and its unique QR code.

Troubleshooting

Images not appearing in labels

  • Verify the column header contains the word "image"
  • Check that image URLs are publicly accessible
  • Test the URL by pasting it directly in your browser
  • Ensure URLs point directly to image files (ending in .jpg, .png, etc.)

Images are the wrong size

  • Add size dimensions to the column header (e.g., "image 150x150")
  • Use "auto" for one dimension to maintain aspect ratio

QR codes won't scan

  • Increase the QR code size (minimum 100x100 recommended)
  • Ensure sufficient contrast (black on white works best)
  • Leave white space around the QR code

Was this article helpful?

Related Articles

Create Text + Image Labels Mail Merge Labels