The Anatomy of a QR Code and How to Make One in 6 Easy Steps

The Anatomy of a QR Code and How to Make One in 6 Easy Steps

BY: NICK RECHT / DATE: 23/03/2023 / TOPICS: BARCODE BASICS, LABEL DESIGN

QR codes date back to 1994, when a Japanese corporation, Denso Wave, a subsidiary of Toyota Motors, invented them to track automobile parts throughout the assembly process. In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic led to a new contactless way of life and paved the way for QR codes to be part of everyone’s daily routine. The most common routine was scanning the QR code at a restaurant and a menu popping up on your phone to prevent the spread of germs. More recently, in 2022, GS1 announced their expectations for the transition of accepting 2D barcodes at POS (point-of-sale) instead of 1D barcodes, referred to as Sunrise 2027. Not only are QR codes at your favorite restaurant, but they are used throughout the supply chain, on packaged food, for marketing campaigns, and even on your personal business card.

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Insider Intelligence states that “the number of US smartphone users scanning a QR code will increase to 99.5 million in 2025.” If you aren’t using QR codes to accelerate your labeling, now is the time to start incorporating them to help streamline your business operations.

This blog will help explain what a QR code is, the anatomy of a QR code, and how to make one in TEKLYNX barcode label design software.

What is a QR code?

QR code is short for Quick Response Code, which is one of the many barcode symbologies. QR codes consist of an array of black and white squares that typically store URLs and can only be read by smartphone cameras or 2D barcode scanners. Keep in mind the difference between 1D and 2D barcodes; 1D barcodes, also known as linear barcodes, consist of vertical black and white lines, while 2D barcodes consist of two-dimensional rectangles or squares that can go vertical or horizontal and can store more data in a smaller size. QR codes are a type of 2D barcode and can be found on coupons, in restaurants, and at the grocery store.

Static vs dynamic QR codes

Now we know what a QR code is, let’s talk about the difference between a static and dynamic QR code, what the black and white squares mean, and how to make a QR code.

• A static QR code has fixed data that cannot be edited once the code is generated. They are good for personal use like your business card or an event badge. Static QR codes are typically free to make but do not have tracking metrics like dynamic QR codes do. 
• Dynamic QR codes send users to specific information or web pages, but the URL encoded redirects the user to a second URL that can change on demand, even after the QR code is printed. Dynamic QR codes are used for tracking capabilities and are the most common QR code. TEKLYNX software supports both static and dynamic QR codes.
  
  

There are also a few different data formats QR codes are capable of handling. These consist of numeric (numbers zero to nine), alphanumeric (numbers zero to nine and letters A to Z), byte, and Kanji (non-Latin Japanese script). QR codes can encode up to 7,366 characters of numeric data, much more than the traditional 1D barcode, and can be scanned in any direction while also partially damaged up to 30%. The convenience and speed of scanning QR codes are two of the many reasons they are becoming used in so many industries. To learn about other types of barcodes you can create in TEKLYNX label software, read our barcode symbologies blog.

The anatomy of a QR code

You may be familiar with the classic QR code as mentioned above, but did you know each black and white square has its own job? The black and white squares hold different information, and once scanned, the unique pattern translates into human-readable data in a few seconds. Let’s break down what each black and white pattern on a QR code does. The colorful QR code below can be used for reference.

• The three squares in the three corners are called finder patterns. They allow the scanner to locate and detect the code and read it quickly, helping identify the image orientation.  
• Alignment patterns are smaller than finder patterns and help the scanner read the code and determine if it is distorted in any way. The more information, the bigger the QR code, and the more alignment patterns there are.  
• The timing pattern (usually the black and white dots shaped in an L – shown in blue above) helps the scanner determine the size of the QR code and identifies the squares to make it possible to be read.
• Format information contains information about error correction and masking. A mask pattern makes it easier for a scanner to read a QR code.
• Data is where the data is held.
• Error correction keys share the space with error correction blocks so up to 30% of the code can be damaged and still have the ability to be scanned. They also help dictate if there is any redundant information to ensure it remains readable if it gets damaged in any way.
• The quiet zone is the white space around the QR that helps offer structure and improves comprehension. Without this white space the QR code becomes impossible to scan.

If you want to learn even more about QR codes, check out this article that helps explain the complexity of the data.

Benefits of QR codes

QR codes have many benefits, such as the ability to:

• Track, update, and remove products from supply chains
• Hold more information than a normal 1D barcode
• View product information
• Use minimal hardware
• Create paperless and contactless interactions
• Automate data storage
• Promote transparency and customer loyalty
• Enable complete traceability of workflow in management

Where are QR codes used?

You typically see QR codes at your favorite restaurant or on packaged food, but they are also used for:

• Inventory management in manufacturing and logistics for full traceability
• Inventory tracking in retail
• Product labels
• Coupons
• Ticketing for events
• Business and marketing campaigns

There are many use cases for QR codes, however there are also instances where a QR code may not be the best option for your business. Billboards, the backs of work vans or trucks, and a short TV commercial are not user-friendly locations for QR codes because they are not safe or easy to scan. Chat with a TEKLYNX labeling expert if you would like to know how QR codes can fit into your labeling process.

Limitations in QR code generators

Looking for a way to create QR codes? Let’s talk about the limitations in free QR code generators and the benefits of using label design software instead. Although there are unlimited free barcode generators online, and they might be cheap and easy to use, there are restrictions that can halt your operations.   

Startups and small businesses usually begin with free online generators since they are so convenient. However, once you start generating the codes you may find yourself at a dead end, some limitations of free barcode generators are:

• Only having a few barcode symbologies to choose from. When your business starts growing, it’s safe to assume so will your labeling.
• Supporting only static QR codes. You cannot change data on a static QR code when it is printed, which may lead to time and labeling stock wasted.
• Only getting the QR code generated. If you want to design a complete label, you will then have to import your QR code into another program to use text, images, and perhaps other barcodes.

An easy fix to these restrictions is barcode label design software. It is the most reliable and accurate tool to use when it comes to generating QR codes.  

Why should I use barcode label design software to create QR codes instead?

Barcode labeling software gives you the ability to leverage more features than a free online barcode generator would. TEKLYNX barcode label design software has over 100 barcode symbologies, wizards to help you create barcodes, and encoded data such as numeric, alphanumeric, binary, and Kanji encoding for QR codes. It’s a full solution where you can create your QR code and your label all in one program. With TEKLYNX label design products, you can also connect to variable data so you can utilize one label template for all your products.  

Investing in barcode label design software creates efficiency and accuracy, while helping to reduce errors throughout your entire barcode labeling process. If you want to learn more about barcode label design software, download a free 30-day trial of CODESOFT.

How to make a QR code in CODESOFT in 6 easy steps

Below are six easy steps to create a QR code in CODESOFT barcode label design software from TEKLYNX. If you have any other questions, contact our customer support team, who work to help our customers barcode better.

1. Open your barcode label design software
2. Click on the barcode generator wizard in the left toolbar
   
   
   
   
3. Choose the correct barcode symbology. For a QR code it will be 2D, then scroll down and choose QR code
   
   
   
   
4. Click on QR code and choose your data source (fixed or variable data)
   • For fixed data, simply type your data. This is where you can enter the URL or product information..
   • For variable data, you can select an existing data source or create a new one.
   • Click Next
5. Set your properties for the QR code such as size, rotation, etc.
6. Click Finish. You can now design the rest of your label.

Implement barcode label design software 

Help increase visibility throughout your supply chain and encourage touchless interactions using QR codes created in barcode label design software. Not only do QR codes hold more information than a standard 1D barcode, but once scanned the information stored within them can be accessed immediately. There is greater accessibility for consumers with QR codes because all you need is a smartphone for scanning. With QR codes becoming more popular, look at improving your labeling and tracking capabilities by incorporating QR codes into your labeling environment. If you want to learn more about how to do so, get in touch with a labeling expert at TEKLYNX today.

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