QR Code myths abound. Consider QR Code quality. A recent articleCustomized QR Code describes a graphics design technique that makes QR Code less obtrusive and more “harmonious” with the graphic it accompanies. The QR Code examples in the article blended into the advertisements so well, you might not even notice them. We had concerns from a barcode quality standpoint—but if the reader might overlook them altogether, what’s the point of using a QR Code at all?

Myth #1

QR Code can be modified or customized to make them unique to a particular ad or brand. Maybe it’s a matter of semantics because of course QR Code can be modified graphically to make them more attractive. But where is the threshold of readability? What amount of modification can be tolerated before scanning is impaired? Although the ISO specification can tell you where the line is, the smart phone camera “scanners” are not ISO compliant and therefore the threshold of acceptability is unknown…and what is the point of a QR Code
that doesn’t work, no matter how beautiful or brand-identified it is?

Myth #2

QR Code can only encode url’s. Because QR Code is so often used to represent a URL, lots of people believe that’s all it can do. Interestingly the inventor and owner of QR Code technology, Denso Wave, now part of Toyota, created QR Code to mark automotive parts. Originally QR Code was invented to track Toyota’s manufacturing supply chain.

Myth #3

QR Code can be “hijacked” or redirected to a pirate site. This may again be a matter of semantics, but strictly speaking the QR Code cannot be “hijacked” or modified to contain different information or point to a different URL. Websites can be hijacked but the information contained in the QR Code is very secure because it is a static, printed image. And the structural technology in a QR Code makes it even more unlikely that a highly modified or customized QR Code could accidentally direct the user to an unintended destination. More than likely the adulterated QR Code would simply fail to scan.

Myth #4

QR Code myths abound related to the quality of the printed symbol. Simple mistakes include failing to provide the necessary quiet zone around the symbol—yes QR Codes have quiet zones, scan0001_A_Conicelli_Horrible_1.4mmNR Croppedjust like UPC and Code 128. Another common myth is that QR Code can be printed in any color or color combination. Although QR Code is much more tolerant of color than UPC, there must be sufficient contrast differences between the QR Code symbol and its background for the scanner to be able to detect it. And what exactly is that contrast difference? Well, since smart phone cameras are not manufactured to an ISO specification, it is virtually impossible to predict whether or not a particular QR Code will work as intended on every smart phone that will attempt to scan it.

Myth #5

The last of the QR Code myths is perhaps the biggest of them all—that QR Code is just a fad.  Of course it is a fad—but not as a data entry device. QR Code is without doubt a fad as a marketing tool, but all marketing tools are fads—that is the whole point. As a data entry device, QR Code is a pretty good tool, but not the only one, although many people refer to any 2D symbol as QR Code and any 1D barcode as UPC (and any photocopier as a Xerox machine, etc.).

 

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3db Barcode Testimonial

Our company (an advanced software company) recently worked with Barcode Test to source a barcode verifier.  Not long ago, we were awarded a contract requiring products to be marked with IUIDs in accordance with MIL-STD-130.  For that standard, marking labels must pass a verification test that evaluates many variables (contrast, size, clarity, syntax, modularity, and more).  After a thorough search, we reduced our options to a select few.

In our search for a verifier, the Axicon line caught our attention.  Barcode Test is our regional reseller for this product.   From the beginning, they were very prompt with their responses.  We ended up having a quick call with John Nachtrieb to go over our needs.  John was extremely easy to work with and provided a lot of great information.  He was very knowledgeable on the matter and was quick to offer up a demo unit (free of charge).

Upon receiving the demo verifier and testing it, a few questions arose.  John joined a call with us and answered all our questions.  Ultimately, the Axicon verifier wasn’t the best fit for us, so we shipped the demo back.  John was completely understanding.  A few weeks later, Barcode Test reached back out with another possible verifier for us to try.  While they didn’t sell that brand, they just wanted to help us find the best option that met our needs. They even offered to send us the unit that they have in-house to see if it worked to our liking. 

Barcode Test is truly a great company to work with.  Their service and willingness to help the customer are far beyond what you typically get from other companies.  They are experts in barcode quality assurance and seem willing to help in any way they can (even if that means not getting a sale and recommending another option that better fits the customer’s needs).  If anyone is in the market for barcode verification/scanning services or products, I would highly recommend giving Barcode Test a call.

Regards,

Production Manager