A Simple Way to Organize Inventory Options with BoxHero’s Item Variants
If you're managing clothing, accessories, parts, or supplies, it's common to carry one item in many variations. A single T-shirt might come in three sizes, two colors, and a couple of material types. That’s a dozen different combinations—and entering each one by hand can get tedious.
BoxHero's Item Variants feature is built to simplify that. It lets you select multiple attribute values at once (like size, color, or model), and automatically generates separate inventory items for each combination.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through how Item Variants work, when to use them, and how to get the most value out of this feature.
What Do Item Variants Actually Do?
Item Variants help you create multiple inventory items at once, based on the attributes you select. These are not sub-items or labels. Each variant is a fully independent item with its own quantity, barcode, and SKU.
Example: Smartphone Variants
Let's say you're managing inventory for a smartphone that comes in two storage options (128GB and 256GB) and three colors (Pink, Silver, and Blue). You enter those attributes once, and BoxHero creates six separate items:
• 128GB / Silver
• 128GB / Blue
• 256GB / Pink
• 256GB / Silver
• 256GB / Blue
Each one shows up as its own row in your Item List. You can:
- Assign a unique SKU or barcode
- Track quantity and stock movement
- Print barcode labels
- Filter or search by attribute
Lucky for you, you don’t need to repeat the same steps six times. Just enter your attributes once and let BoxHero do the rest!
When to Use Item Variants
Item Variants are ideal when you're working with structured product options that follow a clear pattern. Once you try them, the benefit becomes obvious, especially if you're managing:
- Items that need consistent barcodes and SKUs across variations
- Products with predictable patterns like size, color, or spec
- Catalogs that are growing fast and getting harder to manage
- Teams that rely on filters or search to locate stock quickly
Instead of duplicating data or reusing old entries, you build a cleaner setup from the beginning. It also helps prevent mistakes like missing barcodes, inconsistent SKUs, or mislabeled items.
Use Case: Independent Clothing Brand
A small apparel brand launches a unisex sweatshirt available in four colors and three sizes. That’s 12(!) total variations. Instead of creating each one manually, the team uses Item Variants to set everything up in a single step.
Each sweatshirt variant receives:
- A unique barcode and SKU
- A clear name structure
- Its own stock quantity and price
The result: a well-structured inventory that saves time during restocking, label printing, and sales tracking.
How to Add Item Variants in BoxHero
Creating variants in BoxHero is quick and straightforward. Let's use the smartphone example from before with two storage options (128GB and 256GB) and three colors (Pink, Silver, and Blue).
Here's how it works:
Step 1: Define Shared Attributes
Before you begin, go to Data Center > Attrbutes and set up any shared properties you’ll need, like storage size or color.
Step 2: Add Item Variants
Navigate to Item List, click Add Item, then choose Add Item Variants.
Step 3: Enter Variant Options
In the New Variants screen, add your option names (for example, 128 GB and 256 GB) under Attributes.
Step 4: Generate All Combinations
BoxHero will automatically create every possible variant based on the options you entered.
Step 5: Assign Barcodes
Click the green Generate button to fill in barcodes for each variant. You can also edit them individually if you need custom codes.
Step 6: Save Your Variants
Hit Add to save all variants at once. A confirmation popup will appear.
Step 7: Manage and Track
Once saved, all your variants appear as individual items in the Item List—ready for inventory tracking, label printing, and reporting.
Tool Tip: Group Your Variants (Optional)
To make it easier to browse and sort your variants, click the Group by dropdown and choose an attribute. Your variants will then be organized into expandable groups for quick viewing.
Why It Matters
Manual inventory entry is still common, especially among small businesses.
According to a 2023 survey by Capterra, 43% of small retailers still use spreadsheets or pen-and-paper methods to track stock. But studies show that systems with built-in automation for SKU and barcode generation report up to 30% improvement in data accuracy. (Source: MoldStud).
BoxHero’s Item Variants feature brings this kind of automation to teams that need to move quickly but don’t have time to train on complex ERP systems.
Real-World Benefits
- Better Stock Control: You can see how many units of each variant you have and avoid overstocking one size while running out of another.
- Easier Reporting: Track sales or adjustments at the variant level. For instance, see which iPhone color sizes sells the most.
- Barcode-Ready: Every variant gets its own unique barcode for faster check-ins and checkouts. You can skip manual entry and speed up the receiving & shipping process.
Best Practices
To get the most out of Item Variants, here are a few recommendations:
▶︎ Be consistent with attribute values
For example, use "500ml", "750ml", and "1L" for bottle sizes instead of mixing "500 ML", "0.75L", or "1 liter". Using the same format helps keep your inventory clean and searchable.
▶︎ Generate barcodes for each variant
You can do this directly in the Item Variants interface. It’s especially helpful if you print barcode labels in batches.
▶︎ Review all combinations before saving
You can remove unwanted rows if you don’t stock every size or color.
▶︎ Check variant stock frequently
Use the Reports section to track which variants are moving and which aren’t.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Can I add multiple attributes at once?
Absolutely! You can pick two (or as many as you want) attributes like size, color, or material, and BoxHero will generate every valid combination for you.
Q: Will each variant have its own barcode?
Yes. Each variant acts as its own trackable item with a unique barcode. You can type in your own codes or hit “Generate” to let BoxHero do it in a click.
Q: Can I tweak variant details after setup?
Totally. Variants are standalone items, so you can update the name, barcode, stock level, or any attribute whenever you need.
Q: Are item variants included in the free plan?
Yes! You’ll find item variants available on our free Personal Plan.
Nahi Kim
Final Notes
If your team spends too much time entering products, or if you’ve been skipping variations just to save time, Item Variants can help you catch up.
No need to list the same item multiple times just to show different options, You save time and it prevents you from making mistakes. You get to keep related information in one place, while still having full control over each variation.
To try it for yourself, go to your team's Item List and click Add Item > Add Item Variants. You’ll be able to add, label, and manage multiple items in minutes. 😁
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