QR Code Labels 101: Your Guide to Upgrading from Barcodes

Did you know that the labelling process you’re currently using may be outdated?

For the longest time, business owners have relied upon barcodes for product IDs and labeling. 

But as markets, customer expectations, and supply chains evolve, can barcodes still hold the upper hand with the limitations they pose?  

What if you want to track inventory, share websites, and boost customer engagement, among other things, from the same labels? 

The answer is a mix of yes, and no. But if you want a definitive solution, then QR Code labels are the way to go.

QR Code labels extend well beyond text-only to interactive multimedia. You can store 100x more data (up to 3000 characters). You can even customize and bulk-print them in minutes, thanks to QR Code makers.

Now that, sounds like an upgrade from barcodes.

Learn how QR Code labels can encode extensive information you want on your products and go beyond labeling to help you in other aspects of your business, from marketing to ROI.

What are QR Code labels?

QR Code labels are printable labels that come with QR Codes. They are also called “smart labels” since the QR Codes can store web addresses, text content, or contact information, among other forms of media. Your end users can scan QR Code labels with a mobile device camera to easily access the stored information.

QR Code labels are often used for marketing, advertising, inventory management, and asset tracking. 

For example, you can use QR Code labels on your products to give customers more context or to redirect them to a promotional website. 

Meanwhile, your warehouse team/vendors could use QR Code labels to track inventory and manage stock.

How are QR Code labels different from barcode labels

QR Code labels and barcodes are scannable labels that encode information. But both have different physical dimensions and data storage capacities. 

Some critical differences between barcodes and QR Code labels are:

All these features make QR Code labels an emerging choice for industries that want the benefits of barcodes—but do more with labeling. And with a QR Code label generator, customizing these features for your shipping labels as per your needs is hassle-free.

Key features to consider when choosing a QR Code label generator

You must choose the right QR Code generator to create print-ready QR Code labels for your usage. Here are things that you must consider: 

1. Ability to bulk-generate QR Code labels

Your QR Code label generator should allow you to create and download multiple labels simultaneously. 

With Uniqode’s bulk QR Code generator, you can do that—plus assign different URLs to different QR Codes in bulk. Once designed and created, you can centrally manage them from a single dashboard. 

This saves you time and effort when you must label many categories of products with different QR Codes. 

2. Ability to track the performance of QR Code labels

Since your QR Code labels will contain more complex data than your average barcodes, the generator should be able to track and measure the performance of your QR Code labels. 

For instance, Uniqode’s QR Code analytics allow you to see how many scans your QR Codes get, where they come from, what devices they use, and more. 

You can also integrate your QR Code campaigns with Google Analytics to get more insights on the scan data and optimize your marketing campaigns.

3. Ability to customize QR Code labels

Your QR Code label generator should let you customize your QR Code labels to match your branding. 

With Uniqode, you can choose from different shapes, colors, patterns, and logos to make your QR Codes stand out and bake them into your brand identity.

Add frames and call-to-action texts to your QR Codes to attract more scans and engagement.

4. Ability to edit QR Code labels

Being able to edit the content in QR Code labels without changing the QR Code itself—even after printing them—is one of the biggest benefits over barcodes. 

This is why editing your QR Code labels with your chosen generator should be hassle-free. Uniqode’s dynamic QR Codes let you do the same: 

1. Change the content and destination URL of your QR Codes without reprinting them.
2. Switch between different types of QR Codes, such as URL, vCard, email, SMS, etc., at any time after printing

This way, you can keep your customers interested and updated with the latest information even after you’ve bulk-printed the labels and deployed them. 

Real-life use-cases of QR Code labels and stickers

Here are some real-life use cases of QR Code labels and stickers in various industries:

1. Retail: Enhance customer trust and satisfaction using QR Code labels

Cannabidiol (CBD) products are becoming more popular and widely available, but customers may have questions or concerns about their quality, safety, and effectiveness. 

You can use QR Code labels and stickers on Cannabidiol (CBD) products to give customers additional information such as lab certifications, dosage instructions, and product origin—via a simple camera scan. 

The same works for other retail products that require additional communication than what is possible within the physical dimensions of the packaging.

2. Healthcare: Improve asset management and patient care with QR Code labels

QR Code labels and stickers can help you optimize asset tracking and information-sharing processes. 

For instance, you can use QR Code labels on medicine shipments for your asset or inventory tracking. 

You can also use QR Code labels in product packaging to share information about a product’s ingredients, side effects, and dosage with end-users. 

Additionally, as healthcare professionals, you can use QR Code labels on patients’ files to: 

1. Access and update their medical history from the database.
2. View their previous diagnoses, treatments, allergies, and medications while recurrent visits.
3. Add new information to their files after each visit or consultation and more.

3. Manufacturing: Optimize inventory management and asset tracking with QR Code labels

Asset tracking teams in manufacturing can use QR Code labels for inventory management: 

1. For faster and more efficient asset tracking.
2. To generate and deploy color-coded QR Codes for different inventory levels.
3. To retrieve more complex inventory information from one scan.
4. To have better asset visibility since you can quickly create more QR Codes and print them.

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4. Marketing campaigns: Boost direct mail marketing and customer loyalty with QR Code labels

You can use QR Code labels and stickers in your direct mail campaigns to provide additional information about your brand or any promotional offers to end users. 

For example, the Tile App launched its new product called “Lost and Found QR Code Labels.” They were sent in direct mail to existing customers as a brand loyalty campaign. 

Users could use these labels on things prone to get lost outdoors. The idea was to link their contact information with the QR Code and stick the labels on their loss-prone things (hoping that the finder will return them to you).

Types of QR Code labels and stickers

Depending on your requirements, you can choose from different materials for QR Code labels and stickers:

1. Paper QR Code labels and stickers

These are the cheapest and most common QR Code labels and stickers. You can create a custom QR Code for print and use them on any paper materials.

QR Codes on paper labels and stickers are good for indoor use or temporary applications. For example, you can use them to create QR Code coupons, on flyers, invitations, or product packaging.

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2. Vinyl QR Code labels and stickers

These are more durable and weather-resistant labels than paper QR Code labels and stickers. 

They can withstand moisture, heat, cold, and UV rays and are suitable for outdoor use and long-term applications.

For example, you can use vinyl labels and stickers to create QR Code signs, banners, decals, or car stickers.

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3. Polyester QR Code labels and stickers

These are the strongest and most durable QR Code labels and stickers. They can resist tearing, abrasion, chemicals, and extreme temperatures. 

These QR Code labels and stickers are good for industrial use or use in harsh environments. 

For example, you can use polyester QR Code labels and stickers to create asset tags, inventory labels, or equipment labels.

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QR Code label tips: Do’s and don’ts to maximize performance

Here are some best practices you should follow when using QR Code labels:

Simplify your product labeling, smart packaging and boost ROI with QR Code labels

If you’ve benefited from barcode labeling, take your inventory management and marketing game to the next level with QR Code labels.

These smart labels effectively optimize your product-labeling process, promote your products, and connect with your customers. 

When you generate these labels with Uniqode, they’re the safest in the market with GDPR and SOC® 2 Type 2 compliance. 

Want to see how it works? You can design, create and deploy QR Code labels at scale with Uniqode’s powerful QR Code maker. 

And while you’re at it, here’s a complete list of our QR Code generator pricing.