Every item, or Collectible, that you add to your collection on hobbyDB gets a unique "Collectible ID" number.  This identifier starts with the letters HDBC (hobbyDB Collectible) followed by a string of numbers.

The Collectible ID can be used to create barcode labels for store or collection inventory management along with the hobbyDB Vision app for iOS and Android devices. Scanning one of these barcodes with the hobbyDB app will instantly bring you to the Collectible's page on hobbyDB, where you can see details about the item, or buy the item if it's listed for sale.

Model cars with hobbyDB Collectible ID barcode labels

Creating Collectible ID Barcodes

The exact process will depend on your label printer and software. This is one example workflow using the Phomemo D35 Bluetooth label printer, available from Amazon for less than $40, and 15x50mm labels. This example uses the printer with an iOS device (iPhone) but should be similar on an Android device.

The first step is to create a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet with one column for each piece of data you want on the labels. In this example we have the item name, its brand, and the Collectible ID to use for the barcode.

You can find the Collectible ID and all of the other information on the Collectible page, accessible from your Showcase or from Collection Management:

Install the Print Master app and set up your printer according to the manufacturer's instructions.

Use the Files app on iOS to share your spreadsheet to the Print Master app:

Print Master will open. Tap Creation Mode to start building your barcode label template:

Select your label size:

You'll see a blank label, ready for you to add your text and barcode. Tap the Text button to add your first text field:

Use the Style and Font Shape tabs to set the look of the text field, then go to the Data tab and tap Excel Data.

Select your Excel file, then select the Data Column Name of the column you want to use for this field:

Create another text field for your second column, "Brand" in this case, with the same process.

With the Brand field in place, the next step is to add a barcode field by tapping the Barcode button:

Enter a temporary placeholder number or text:

Tap the Data tab and select Excel Data, as with the text fields, and choose the Barcode column.

You'll want to make the barcode as wide as possible to make it easy for the app to scan it. The height doesn't matter as much as the width. Making the barcode the maximum width is a bit counterintuitive, but easy once you know the trick—simply move the barcode to the top left of the label, drag the bottom right corner to make it fill the space, then drag the corner up to make it short enough to fit below the text.

Once you have the barcode in place, you're ready to print your barcodes!

You'll only have to go through the process to create the label template once. When you're ready to print another batch, all you have to do is update the Excel spreadsheet and re-share it to Print Master.