SKU Generator — Free Tool for Handmade Makers
Generate batches of SKUs for your handmade products. Set a collection prefix, type, variant, start number, and padding — get a CSV-ready list for your inventory and listings.
A simple SKU pattern that scales
A SKU (Stock Keeping Unit) is a unique code per product variant. Even one-person handmade businesses benefit from SKUs — they reconcile listings across platforms (Etsy, your website, craft fair stock lists), tie a sale back to its production cost, and let you trace a returned item back to its supplier lot.
The simplest pattern that scales: Collection-Type-Variant-Sequence. Examples: MOSS-RING-SS-0042 (Moss collection, ring, sterling silver, piece 42); CORE-CAND-VAN-0118 (Core collection, candle, vanilla, batch 118); OOAK-PEND-9KY-0007 (one-of-a-kind, pendant, 9ct yellow gold, piece 7).
Pick a pattern on day one and stick with it. The biggest mistake makers fall into is changing format halfway through ("I used to use 3 digits, now I want 4"). You end up with two parallel numbering schemes that don't sort cleanly. Better to start with 4-digit padding from the beginning even if you don't think you'll reach 9,999 — disk space and pixel width are not the constraint.
For a deeper treatment in the context of jewellery — where each piece is often one-of-a-kind — see our jewellery inventory guide. The same pattern works for candles, soaps, ceramics, and any maker working in small batches.
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