3 naming patterns
- Descriptive: SHIRT-SMALL-RED-COTTON (readable but long)
- Abbreviated: SH-S-RED-CTN (balance)
- Sequential: SH001-002-003 (compact but opaque)
Pick one and stick with it across all products.
Recommended format
[Product code]-[Option1]-[Option2]-[Option3]
Example: TSHIRT-S-RED-CTN, TSHIRT-M-RED-CTN, TSHIRT-S-BLUE-CTN. Human-readable + machine-parseable.
Bulk generation
Export CSV → Excel formula: =A2&"-"&B2&"-"&C2&"-"&D2 → auto-fills SKU column. Import back.
POS + POD compatibility
- POS reads SKUs for scanning — keep under 20 chars where possible
- Printful maps by variant ID, not SKU — SKU is for your reference
- Barcode scanners handle any ASCII
Frequently asked questions
What's a good Shopify SKU format?
Product code + option abbreviations, dash-separated. Example: TSHIRT-S-RED-CTN. Human-readable + machine-parseable.
How long can Shopify SKUs be?
Max 255 chars. Practical max: 20-30 chars for scanning + reporting.
Should SKU include the option values?
Yes — makes variant identifiable from SKU alone. Reports, POS scanning, order lookup all faster.
How to bulk-generate SKUs?
CSV export → Excel concatenate formula → import. 5 minutes for 500 variants.
Can SKUs have spaces?
Not recommended — POS + barcode scanning break. Use dashes or underscores.
Do SKUs affect POD partner (Printful)?
Not directly — they map by variant ID. But your reports match up better if SKUs are consistent.
Can two variants share a SKU?
Shopify blocks duplicates on save. Enforces uniqueness within a product.
How to change existing SKUs?
Bulk editor or CSV re-import with updated SKUs. Historical orders keep old SKUs on the order record.
Related reading
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