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

Nick Recht

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?

 2D barcode types. Data Matrix, QR code and PDF417

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.

 

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.

 

QR code broken down in different colors to explain the meaning

 

 

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:

 

 

Where are QR codes used?

 

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

 

 

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:

 

 

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

    CODESOFT barcode label design software screenshot

  3. Choose the correct barcode symbology. For a QR code it will be 2D, then scroll down and choose QR code

    QR code data source chosen to design a barcode

  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
    • Set your properties for the QR code such as size, rotation, etc.
    • Click Finish. You can now design the rest of your label.

     TEKLYNX website QR code on a 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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    About Nick

     

    Nick Recht is the Sales Manager for the Americas region at TEKLYNX RFID and barcode label solution provider. He leverages his passion for using technology to add value to businesses and his 15 years of AIDC experience to help organizations of all sizes barcode better. When he is not working, he is driving one of his daughters to a practice of some sort or doing a project around the house.

     

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