Kiosk
How Do I Add a New Item with a Barcode?
Step-by-step guide to adding a new barcoded item to your Mashgin kiosk menu using Manage Mode.
📋 Overview
This guide walks you through adding a new barcoded item to your Mashgin kiosk's menu directly on the kiosk. You'll scan the item's barcode, enter its details, and train the kiosk to recognize it visually.
Before you begin: Make sure you have the item's barcode accessible and know the item's name, price, and count (for multi-packs). You'll also need your kiosk's Manage Mode passcode.
🛒 How to Add a Barcoded Item
Step 1. Enter Manage Mode
To access Manage Mode, scan your Manager Key or enter the passcode on the kiosk's side interface.
Contact your location manager or Mashgin support for the correct code if you do not know it.
Step 2. Scan the item's barcode
Hold the item's barcode in front of the scanner (located below the side interface screen). The kiosk will read the barcode and begin the item creation process.
Important: If there is a QR code near the barcode on the packaging, cover the QR code with your finger while scanning. Otherwise, the kiosk may read the wrong code and show an error.
Step 3. Enter the item details
After scanning, the kiosk will prompt you to enter the following information:
- Name — Type the item's name as you want it to appear on screen.
- Price — Enter the item's price. You can update this later in Creator if needed.
- Count — If the item is a multi-pack (for example, a 6-pack of cans), enter the number of individual items in the pack.
Step 4. Pose the item (visual training)
The kiosk uses cameras to visually identify items, so it needs to "learn" what your new item looks like. This is called posing or item training.
- If there are fewer than 20 poses, you'll need to add more. Place the item on the kiosk base in different positions and angles, and follow the on-screen prompts to capture photos.
- If there are 20 or more poses, you're all set — go back to the checkout screen and test by placing the item on the base.
Tip: The more poses you take from different angles, the better the kiosk will be at recognizing the item. Try standing the item up, laying it on its side, and rotating it.
Step 5. Test the item
Once posing is complete, exit Manage Mode and return to the normal checkout screen. Place the item on the kiosk base to confirm the kiosk recognizes it and displays the correct name and price.
💡 Tips
- If you need to change the price after adding the item, you can do so in Creator (your online menu management tool) at any time.
- For items without a barcode, there's a separate process — see the guide on adding items without a barcode. Linked below.
🛠️ Troubleshooting
"Item creation from kiosk is disabled for this client"
Issue: This message appears when scanning a barcode, meaning your location's menu is managed by a pricebook system (e.g., a POS integration).
Fix:
- Do not attempt to add the item directly from the kiosk — this is not supported for pricebook-managed menus.
- Contact your pricebook administrator or POS team to have the item added through the integration system.
- Once added on their end, it will sync to your kiosk automatically. ( Some price books only sync once a day. )
Barcode Scan Not Recognized or Shows an Error
Issue: The kiosk fails to read the barcode, reads the wrong code, or displays a scan error.
Fix:
- If the item has a QR code near the barcode, cover the QR code with your finger before scanning — the scanner may pick it up instead of the barcode.
- Make sure the barcode is flat and unobstructed. Wrinkled or curved packaging can cause misreads.
- Try holding the item at a slightly different distance or angle from the scanner.
- If the issue persists, contact Mashgin support.
Item Is Not Being Recognized After Posing
Issue: After adding the item and completing poses, the kiosk doesn't detect the item on the base during checkout.
Fix:
- Confirm you have at least 20 poses saved. Go back into Manage Mode and add more if needed.
- Make sure poses were taken from varied angles — top-down, sides, and upright positions.
- Ensure the item is placed fully on the kiosk base plate during checkout (not hanging off the edge).
- If recognition is still inconsistent after 20+ poses, refer to the How to train items (Posing) guide for a full walkthrough, or contact Mashgin support for additional training assistance.
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Need help? Contact support at 📧 help@mashgin.com or call (855) 475-0889