Fully supported by GS1, this smart 2D barcode meets global retail standards, preparing your business for the industry-wide shift to dynamic product identification. Imagine being able to scan a QR code and, depending on the URL, being directed to the information you need immediately. This one code caters to supply chain managers, regulators, and end consumers. And based on the type of device that scans, the person will be routed to the correct information.
Because of Sunrise 2027, an industry-led standard set by the GS1 organization, retailers will need to transition to barcode QR codes in order to appeal to the demand for more information by all stakeholders. This means that placing QR codes on product packaging is the perfect way to maintain sustainability.
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A GS1 Digital Link QR Code is a QR code that is GS1-approved and uses GS1 standards to embed a URI (or URL) with product identifiers like a GTIN (Global Trade Item Number). It would be the same type of number on a barcode but, QR codes hold more information for different audiences.
If you want simplified traceability that unifies the supply chain and retail ecosystem, GS1 Digital Link QR codes are your best bet. This is your product’s digital identity, and since you need a GTIN to sell anything, the QR code with the content you have already made is just an added bonus. It makes information sharing a lot less complicated while creating a direct digital communication channel with the end consumer. If you want a more connected and stronger brand experience that includes story telling, care instructions, warranty signups, product reviews, etc., all while pleasing regulators, no other technology compares!
FMCG and CPG brands benefit because they have millions of SKUs and need to compete in international environments. GS1 Digital Link QR Codes are easy to make and provide scalability, automation, and PIM/MDM integrations.
Private label and mid-sized brands benefit by having less complex amounts of SKUs but still needing to meet the demands of GS1 and conscious consumers. Since QR codes are so easy to make, it’s only one more small step in the process.
Packaging and label printing companies can use and integrate Trueqrcode GS1 Digital Link QR codes, using our white-label options, APIs, and bulk generation.
Webshops and D2C brands find it simple and affordable to use Trueqrcode to focus on traceability and storytelling, while they generate smaller batches of QR codes.
Just about everybody who uses a barcode! We’ll give you some examples below and check out the articles in depth for more information. But it doesn’t stop there! GTIN QR codes are going to be necessary by 2027, so any industry that sells a product with a UPC or EAN will be able to take advantage of this great technology and its benefits.
GS1 Digital Link for Food Packaging: Use product-level or batch-level QR codes with a GS1 Digital Link to promote transparency about farm-to-fork practices, make cool landing pages with recipe suggestions, add ingredient and allergen information, and please regulators with the information they require, all in one code.
Replace your barcode for cosmetic products with a GS1 Digital Link QR code: Add URLs that lead to cool makeup tutorials, provide CTAs that keep them anticipating promotions in the future for scanning the code later for seasonal products, and add links to signups for repeat purchases on products like shampoo every few months.
GS1 Digital Link for Electronics & Consumer Goods: Take advantage of bulk QR code generation by serializing electronics, high-end, or luxury goods with item-level QR codes. You can create a GS1 QR code for each item by uploading a spreadsheet with the proper information. This is great for warranties, registration, and traceability.
GS1 Digital Link for E-Commerce & D2C Brands: Use QR codes for sharing virtual experiences, promote post-purchase engagement through social media channels, recall management, product instruction manuals, and more!
Check out our most popular QR code use cases in retail for more interesting ways to use GS1 Digital Links to compile all of your product information in one place, pleasing conscious consumers, regulators, and streamlining supply chain tracking.
| Feature | EAN Barcode (1D) | GS1 Digital Link QR Code (2D) |
|---|---|---|
| Contains GTIN (EAN) | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Scannable at Point of Sale | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| GS1 Standard Supported | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Supports Multiple Links | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Usable Online & Offline | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Editable After Printing | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Interactive for Customers | ❌ Limited | ✅ Full Experience |
Want to understand the full difference? Here’s how a Barcode QR Code replaces a traditional EAN without disrupting checkout systems while offering far more flexibility.
This isn’t a six month long IT project. It only takes a few minutes to generate a GS1 Digital Link QR code. Check out our quick system here!
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Go to Trueqrcode’s QR code generator and choose the barcode QR code option. You can also generate QR codes in bulk by downloading our spreadsheet, filling it out, and uploading it, generating more than one code at a time. Most products only need one product-level code, but that depends on your industry and QR code use case
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Enter your information. Your product’s GTIN, social media channels, URLs, and any other content necessary for your product.
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Use a QR code template to customize your QR code design. You can play with the design tools and save the ones that maintain your brand consistency so you can use them again and again. Add a QR code logo to enhance brand awareness and recognition. Use contrasted colors to make sure they scan.
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Download your code. Do a test scan. This is not optional. Although all of our codes are dynamic QR codes, meaning they are editable on the backend, it reduces credibility with your audience if there are mistakes. Additionally, do a test print on one package before printing them all to make sure QR codes are not printed on ultra-glossy finishes, creases, have no white space around them, are too small, or are on curvy surfaces.
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If it’s necessary for your campaigns, QR code tracking is available with all of our codes so you can see the city, time, number of scans, and with what device they were scanned, in real time.
Use product or item-level GS1 Digital Link QR Codes to streamline inventory and supply chain operations while offering cool virtual extras to consumers.
Create product or batch-level GS1 Digital Link QR codes for food packaging to share necessary information about allergens, provide another channel for recalls, share origin stories, recipes, and more.
Print GS1 Digital Link QR codes on product packaging for any industry to enhance the digital experience of the product while improving processes in the supply chain.
Provide product or item-level GS1 Digital Link QR codes on the packaging of video games to serialize the item, register it, and add exclusive future promotions to encourage future purchases of complementary products.
Streamline all of the logistics and procurement information in one place, from manufacturing to distribution.
Share anything stakeholders need or want to know, like farm-to-fork practices, in one tiny code.
Have a new seasonal promotion or accessory to go with your item? Or, add new content like tutorials later on.
Smart packaging is interactive, unlike traditional packaging. Use QR codes to maximize customer engagement from their purchases.
Add a simple URL, a worthwhile call-to-action, and a cool, branded design to attract traffic to your website!
Add multi links to your QR code to get people connecting to various social media channels, maps, videos, PDFs, and more, keeping your audiences engaged, loyal, and optimizing convenience!
The vCard QR Code Plus empowers you to share your contact information instantly, auto-populating it into contact fields in the scanner’s smartphone. Never worry about lost business cards and mistyped phone numbers again!
Enable guests to connect to your WiFi instantly without having waiters and receptionists stand over them to keep rewriting passwords! This quick, safe, and effortless WiFi connection can be updated on the backend at any time, even if you change your passwords.
Add PDF files like white papers, ebooks, and anything else to a PDF QR code. The PDF will download to the user’s phone immediately, convenient for storing large amounts of information without printed paper that gets lost or thrown away.
You’re not alone. As this new GS1-supported 2D barcode technology replaces the traditional EAN barcode, many businesses are curious about how it works, what it offers, and how to implement it. Below, we’ve answered the most common questions to help you get started with confidence.
Yes, as long as the QR code contains a valid GTIN (according to GS1 guidelines), it will be compatible with supported POS systems.
Yes. If you generate a dynamic Barcode QR Code with Trueqrcode, you can update the links whenever needed.
Absolutely. You control the destination. Add HTTPS, password protection, or tracking as needed.
Yes. You’ll receive print-ready formats in high resolution.
Yes. Retailers worldwide — and GS1 itself — are transitioning toward 2D barcodes. This solution aligns with that shift.
No, any smartphone with a camera can scan the QR code. Most devices have built-in QR scanners.
Depending on the scanner, a resolver service will send the person to consumer-type landing pages, to supply chain information if that is their position, or to regulators to receive information that follows government standards.
It contains the product identifier (the GTIN) and links to any URLs embedded in it.
When it scans, it directly pops up what has been added, such as the GTIN, batch number, expiry date, serial number, etc. However, the most detailed information that engages consumers, follows regulations, and improves supply chain processes is stored in the URLs that have been added by the QR code creator.