More than you'd think, actually. IKEA's labels are chock full of information if only you know what to look for. Find out more about the secret code contained on the packaging, shelf tags and hang tags and on your draft orders.
Once upon a time, you could reliably determine the color of a product by the last two number of the article number - IKEA's identifying number for each individual product in their system. But we're getting ahead of ourselves here. Let's start with definitions.
Definitions
Product- A complete IKEA product as seen in the catalog, or in the store showroom, warehouse or marketplace. Products may contain several 'articles,' each with their own numbers.
Article - A 'part' if you will that may be one of several that make up a complete product.
Article Number - A unique 8 digit number that identifies the article.
Supplier- An IKEA sub-contractor, who manufactures IKEA products to IKEA specifications. Supplier codes are 5 digit numbers.
Date- The date of manufacture of a product. Date codes sets of two 2-digit numbers that refer to the year and week of production. Sometimes a 5th digit refers to the day of the week.
Product label - Either printed directly on the packaging or on a sticker adhered to the packaging or product itself, the product label contains a wealth of information.
Draft Order - Draft orders are orders input by a co-worker in the store and are used to confirm the accuracy of the order prior to placing a complete order. Common in kitchens and offices. Draft orders have a language all their own.
Hang tag - These literally 'hang' on or near an item in the showroom or marketplace and contain a lot of product information, including the location in the warehouse if a self-serve item.
Shelf tag- This is the tag that contains the product information on the shelf in the warehouse.
Above is an example of a product label for a cabinet in the Akurum kitchen system line.
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