As the use of digital links and 2D barcodes becomes standard on packaging for food, beverages, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and textiles, ensuring their legibility is more critical than ever. These codes not only bridge the gap between physical products and digital content but also offer a seamless way to share vital product information, promote sustainability, and enhance customer engagement.
However, the effectiveness of a digital link relies on how easily it can be scanned and understood. Poorly designed or illegible codes can lead to consumer frustration, missed opportunities, and a poor user experience. This guide will cover best practices for creating legible digital links, focusing on packaging applications.
Why digital link QR code legibility matters
A digital link acts as a gateway to a wealth of product information, from ingredient lists and usage instructions to traceability data and promotional content. For many industries, these links are a requirement to meet regulatory standards or improve digital accessibility.
When codes are difficult to scan, it results in missed engagement opportunities for consumers and inefficiencies within the supply chain. For instance:
- A poorly placed digital link on a food package may prevent users from accessing further information about allergens.
- Low-contrast codes on pharmaceutical labels could delay vital healthcare tasks.
- Illegible codes on textiles may hinder the adoption of digital product passports, impacting efforts toward sustainability.
By following best practices, businesses can ensure that their digital links serve their purpose effectively.
Best practices for creating legible digital links
1. Ensure optimal size and placement
The size and position of a digital link directly affect its readability and user accessibility:
- Size guidelines: The minimum recommended size for a digital link on packaging is 2 x 2 cm (0.8 x 0.8 inches). However, the size should increase for larger packaging or if the code is intended to be scanned from a greater distance.
- Positioning: Place the link on a flat surface away from folds, seams, or textured areas. Ensure the digital link is prominently visible and not obstructed by other design elements.
For example, a digital link on a beverage can should avoid being placed near the curved edges where distortion could occur.
2. Maintain adequate quiet zone
A quiet zone is the blank space around a digital link that ensures scanners can easily differentiate it from surrounding text or graphics:
- Best practice: The quiet zone should be at least four times the size of the smallest module (square) in the code.
- Avoid crowding the link with additional information or design elements, as this can reduce readability.
In industries like cosmetics, where space is limited, maintaining this quiet zone is crucial for ensuring legibility despite compact designs.
3. Use high contrast and appropriate colors
The visual contrast between a digital link and its background is essential for improving readability:
- Contrast: Always use dark colors (e.g., black, navy blue) for the code and light colors (e.g., white, light gray) for the background.
- Avoid low-contrast combinations: For instance, yellow on white or red on orange can significantly reduce legibility.
- Brand colors: If branding requires the use of specific colors, ensure you test the code’s scannability in various lighting conditions.
Example: A high-quality digital link on pharmaceutical packaging should remain scannable in low-light environments such as hospital settings.
4. Choose appropriate materials and surfaces
The material and finish of the packaging can affect the readability of digital links:
- Matte finishes: Opt for matte surfaces rather than glossy ones to avoid glare that may interfere with scanning.
- Surface types: Avoid placing digital links on curved or textured surfaces, as distortion can make them unreadable.
For textiles, printing digital links on woven labels can ensure durability and readability, even after multiple washes.
5. Test for scanning across conditions
Digital links on packaging must be scannable under various conditions:
- Lighting: Test the code in natural light, low light, and direct sunlight to ensure readability.
- Angles and distances: Ensure the code can be scanned from different angles and typical consumer distances.
- Device compatibility: Test the code using multiple smartphones and scanning applications to confirm universal compatibility.
For instance, a digital link on a beverage bottle must be scannable in dimly lit bars as well as brightly lit retail environments.
6. Provide consumer-friendly instructions
Adding simple, clear instructions next to the digital link can improve user interaction:
- Call-to-action: Include text like “Scan for product details” or “Learn more about this product.”
- Purpose indication: Indicate what users can expect after scanning, such as recipes, instructions, or promotional offers.
Clear instructions are particularly important for industries like food and beverages, where consumers may not always know the purpose of the digital link.
7. Follow GS1 standards for digital links
Ensuring compliance with GS1 Digital Link standards is essential for consistency, interoperability, and compatibility across global supply chains. These standards provide a unified framework for encoding product information into digital links, enabling consumers and businesses to access critical data, such as:
- Ingredients and allergens for food and beverage products
- Traceability and provenance details for textiles and pharmaceuticals
- Sustainability credentials and digital product passports
Thanks to our platform, Digital Link Connexum, meeting GS1 standards has never been easier. Our templates are pre-configured to include all the required fields, ensuring that your digital links are compliant by default. Whether it’s adding GTINs (Global Trade Item Numbers), batch numbers, or expiration dates, our platform simplifies the process, enabling seamless integration of essential data.
By leveraging these standardized templates, you save time and reduce the risk of errors, ensuring your digital links meet GS1 standards while maintaining their accessibility and usability.
8. Regular quality assurance and testing
To ensure consistent performance, implement regular quality checks during and after production:
- Printing checks: Inspect digital links for smudging, distortion, or missing elements during production.
- Batch testing: Test codes from each batch of packaging to confirm they meet legibility standards.
Industries like pharmaceuticals and cosmetics, where compliance with safety standards is critical, benefit greatly from these quality checks.
Digital links in practice: real-world examples
Food and beverages
A food manufacturer can use digital links to provide descriptive link text on packaging, connecting consumers to further information about nutritional content, allergen risks, or sourcing practices.
Pharmaceuticals
Digital links on medicine labels can lead users to detailed usage instructions, side effects, and traceability data, ensuring digital accessibility for all patients.
Textiles
A digital link on a clothing tag can serve as a breadcrumb trail for sustainability efforts, allowing consumers to trace the origin of materials and understand their environmental impact.
Conclusion: creating user-friendly digital links
Ensuring the legibility of digital links on packaging is a vital step toward improving digital accessibility, consumer engagement, and supply chain efficiency. By following these best practices—optimizing size, placement, and contrast, maintaining quiet zones, and adhering to GS1 standards—you can create digital links that are scannable, reliable, and user-friendly.
By prioritizing accessibility and usability, your digital links will not only meet industry standards but also foster trust and convenience for your consumers.
