ADD QR CODES TO YOUR PRINT AND PACKAGING NOW

In a crowded Seoul subway, a commuter comes across a display of virtual groceries put up by grocery giant Tesco. The traveler removes his smartphone from his pocket and uses its camera to photograph a square-shaped ‘barcode’ beside an image of some fruit and vegetables then maybe some bread, followed by the code for milk or eggs.  Another click and the items are ordered for delivery.  Welcome to the world of QR (Quick Response) codes, which are popping up in ads, bus shelters and packaging everywhere.

Calling them barcodes is old-fashioned.  These codes use a two-dimensional matrix of tiny squares, dots or other geometric patterns, rather than the traditional stripe of black-and-white lines of varying thickness.  Software in a smartphone converts it into a web address, a piece of text or a number.  QR code reader apps for smart phones are free and easily available.

There’s never going to be a better time for QR codes to flourish.  These little black-and-white boxes, which, when scanned by a mobile phone camera, take the user instantly to a pre-set weblink, are popping up more and more.  This is because of the huge take-up of internet-enabled phones. The technology is ready.

Anything can be turned into a QR code.  There are websites that can provide free codes.
One of the most popular is QR Stuff (www.qrstuff.com).  Cut and paste the text in and it will appear as a QR code, much like free services to shorten web addresses, such as TinyURL.