[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":360},["ShallowReactive",2],{"page-\u002Fguides\u002Fdual-barcode-placement":3,"related-\u002Fguides\u002Fdual-barcode-placement":338},{"id":4,"title":5,"author":6,"body":7,"category":323,"description":324,"extension":325,"heading":326,"heroImage":323,"heroImageAlt":327,"layout":328,"meta":329,"navigation":330,"ogImage":331,"path":332,"publishedAt":333,"sections":323,"seo":334,"sourcePath":335,"stem":336,"updatedAt":333,"videoPosition":323,"videos":323,"__hash__":337},"pages\u002Fguides\u002Fdual-barcode-placement.md","Dual barcode placement: linear and 2D codes on one pack","Mia",{"type":8,"value":9,"toc":307},"minimark",[10,14,17,22,31,34,38,41,64,72,76,79,135,143,147,150,222,226,229,256,264,274,278,283,286,290,293,297,300,304],[11,12,13],"p",{},"During the move to 2D, most packs will carry two codes for a while: the familiar linear barcode the checkout already reads, and a new 2D code (a QR code or a Data Matrix) that carries richer data. This dual-code period is deliberate, designed to make the change gradual rather than abrupt, and it raises a practical question for anyone laying out a label: where does each code go, and how do you stop them interfering with each other? This guide gives you the placement rules in plain terms.",[11,15,16],{},"The short version: keep the linear barcode where scanners already expect it, add the 2D code with its own clear space, respect each code's quiet zone, and test on the real substrate before you commit to a print run.",[18,19,21],"h2",{"id":20},"do-i-need-both-a-linear-barcode-and-a-2d-code","Do I need both a linear barcode and a 2D code?",[11,23,24,25,30],{},"For most brands during the transition, yes, at least for now. Retail checkouts are still being upgraded to read 2D codes under ",[26,27,29],"a",{"href":28},"\u002Fguides\u002Fwhat-is-sunrise-2027\u002F","Sunrise 2027",", so until a given retailer's lanes can all read 2D, the linear barcode remains the guaranteed way to ring up a sale. Carrying both means the pack works at every till today and is ready for the 2D checkout of tomorrow.",[11,32,33],{},"Over time, as 2D reading becomes universal, the linear code will be retired progressively and a single 2D code will do the job. But that is a multi-year path, not a switch you throw. Plan for a dual-code pack as the normal state for the next few years.",[18,35,37],{"id":36},"where-to-place-each-code-on-the-pack","Where to place each code on the pack",[11,39,40],{},"The guiding principle is that the linear barcode keeps its established position and the 2D code earns its own space nearby, without crowding it.",[42,43,44,52,58],"ul",{},[45,46,47,51],"li",{},[48,49,50],"strong",{},"Linear barcode",": keep it where retail operations expect it, typically on the base or back of the pack, oriented so a fixed or handheld scanner reads it easily. Do not move it just to make room for the 2D code.",[45,53,54,57],{},[48,55,56],{},"2D code",": place it on the same panel where practical, or an adjacent one, with clear separation so a scanner never catches both in one frame in a way that confuses it. If the 2D code is the consumer-facing one, put it where a shopper naturally looks, and consider a short call to action beside it.",[45,59,60,63],{},[48,61,62],{},"Separation",": leave a comfortable gap between the two codes. Touching or overlapping codes are the most common cause of misreads.",[11,65,66,67,71],{},"If you are deciding purely where a single QR code should sit on a pack, our guide on ",[26,68,70],{"href":69},"\u002Fguides\u002Fwhere-should-i-place-a-qr-code-on-my-packaging\u002F","where to place a QR code on packaging"," covers the consumer-facing side in more detail.",[18,73,75],{"id":74},"quiet-zones-and-minimum-sizes","Quiet zones and minimum sizes",[11,77,78],{},"Every code needs a quiet zone, the empty margin around it that lets a scanner find its edges. Skimping on it is the quickest way to make a code that looks fine and scans badly.",[80,81,82,98],"table",{},[83,84,85],"thead",{},[86,87,88,92,95],"tr",{},[89,90,91],"th",{},"Code",[89,93,94],{},"Quiet zone (rule of thumb)",[89,96,97],{},"Notes",[99,100,101,113,124],"tbody",{},[86,102,103,107,110],{},[104,105,106],"td",{},"Linear (EAN or UPC)",[104,108,109],{},"At least 10x the module width on each side",[104,111,112],{},"Do not let artwork or the 2D code intrude into it",[86,114,115,118,121],{},[104,116,117],{},"QR code",[104,119,120],{},"At least 4 modules of clear space on all sides",[104,122,123],{},"Keep it clear of text, seams and folds",[86,125,126,129,132],{},[104,127,128],{},"Data Matrix",[104,130,131],{},"At least 1 module of clear space, but more is safer",[104,133,134],{},"Suits small or regulated items",[11,136,137,138,142],{},"Size matters too. A code that is too small for the print process, the substrate or the scan distance will fail. When in doubt, go slightly larger and test. Which 2D symbol to use, QR or Data Matrix, depends on the surface and use case, and our ",[26,139,141],{"href":140},"\u002Fguides\u002Fqr-code-vs-data-matrix\u002F","QR code vs Data Matrix"," guide walks through the trade-offs.",[18,144,146],{"id":145},"common-placement-mistakes","Common placement mistakes",[11,148,149],{},"Most dual-code failures come from a handful of avoidable errors.",[80,151,152,165],{},[83,153,154],{},[86,155,156,159,162],{},[89,157,158],{},"Mistake",[89,160,161],{},"Why it fails",[89,163,164],{},"Fix",[99,166,167,178,189,200,211],{},[86,168,169,172,175],{},[104,170,171],{},"Codes too close or touching",[104,173,174],{},"Scanner reads both, or neither",[104,176,177],{},"Add clear separation and quiet zones",[86,179,180,183,186],{},[104,181,182],{},"Quiet zone filled with artwork",[104,184,185],{},"Scanner cannot find the code edges",[104,187,188],{},"Keep the margin empty",[86,190,191,194,197],{},[104,192,193],{},"Code across a fold or seam",[104,195,196],{},"Distortion breaks the read",[104,198,199],{},"Place on a flat area of the panel",[86,201,202,205,208],{},[104,203,204],{},"Low contrast (colour on colour)",[104,206,207],{},"Scanner cannot resolve the pattern",[104,209,210],{},"Dark code on a light background",[86,212,213,216,219],{},[104,214,215],{},"Never tested on the real material",[104,217,218],{},"Looks fine on screen, fails in store",[104,220,221],{},"Print and scan on the actual substrate",[18,223,225],{"id":224},"a-checklist-for-dual-code-artwork","A checklist for dual-code artwork",[11,227,228],{},"Before a print run, walk this list:",[230,231,232,235,238,241,244,247,250,253],"ol",{},[45,233,234],{},"Linear barcode is in its expected position and untouched.",[45,236,237],{},"The 2D code has its own space with a full quiet zone.",[45,239,240],{},"The two codes are clearly separated, never overlapping.",[45,242,243],{},"Both codes sit on a flat area, clear of folds and seams.",[45,245,246],{},"Contrast is high: a dark code on a light background.",[45,248,249],{},"Sizes suit the print process and scan distance.",[45,251,252],{},"You have printed a proof and scanned both codes on the real material.",[45,254,255],{},"The 2D code resolves to the destination you intend.",[11,257,258,259,263],{},"Getting the pack right once, during a redesign you were doing anyway, is far cheaper than a reprint. If you are treating this as part of a wider move to richer product data, our comparison of what is ",[26,260,262],{"href":261},"\u002Fguides\u002Fsunrise-2027-vs-gs1-digital-link\u002F","mandatory versus optional"," will help you decide how far to take the 2D code.",[11,265,266,267,273],{},"Ready to generate a 2D code that is ready for both the checkout and the shopper? ",[26,268,272],{"href":269,"rel":270},"https:\u002F\u002Fapp.digital-link.com\u002Fen\u002Fsign-up",[271],"nofollow","Create a free account and try it",".",[18,275,277],{"id":276},"frequently-asked-questions","Frequently asked questions",[279,280,282],"h3",{"id":281},"do-i-need-both-a-linear-barcode-and-a-qr-code-on-my-packaging","Do I need both a linear barcode and a QR code on my packaging?",[11,284,285],{},"For now, usually yes. Retail checkouts are still being upgraded to read 2D codes, so the linear barcode remains the guaranteed way to ring up a sale at every till, while the 2D code adds richer data and readiness for the future. Carrying both during the transition covers you today and prepares you for tomorrow.",[279,287,289],{"id":288},"where-should-the-2d-code-go-relative-to-the-linear-barcode","Where should the 2D code go relative to the linear barcode?",[11,291,292],{},"Keep the linear barcode in its established position and place the 2D code nearby with clear separation, ideally on the same or an adjacent panel. Never let the two codes overlap or share a quiet zone, as that is the most common cause of misreads.",[279,294,296],{"id":295},"what-quiet-zone-does-a-qr-code-need-next-to-a-barcode","What quiet zone does a QR code need next to a barcode?",[11,298,299],{},"A QR code needs at least four modules of clear space on every side, and the linear barcode needs its own margin of roughly ten times its module width. Keep artwork, text and the other code out of both quiet zones so each scanner can find its code cleanly.",[279,301,303],{"id":302},"when-can-i-drop-the-linear-barcode-and-keep-only-the-2d-code","When can I drop the linear barcode and keep only the 2D code?",[11,305,306],{},"Only once the retailers you sell through can reliably read 2D codes at every checkout. That is expected to happen progressively over several years, so treat the dual-code pack as the normal state for now and retire the linear code when your retail partners confirm they are ready.",{"title":308,"searchDepth":309,"depth":309,"links":310},"",3,[311,313,314,315,316,317],{"id":20,"depth":312,"text":21},2,{"id":36,"depth":312,"text":37},{"id":74,"depth":312,"text":75},{"id":145,"depth":312,"text":146},{"id":224,"depth":312,"text":225},{"id":276,"depth":312,"text":277,"children":318},[319,320,321,322],{"id":281,"depth":309,"text":282},{"id":288,"depth":309,"text":289},{"id":295,"depth":309,"text":296},{"id":302,"depth":309,"text":303},null,"During the 2D transition many packs carry both the linear barcode and a 2D code. Where to place each one, the quiet zones to respect and the mistakes to avoid.","md","Dual barcode placement: where to put the linear and 2D codes on your packaging","A product pack showing a linear striped barcode and a 2D QR code placed together, with spacing and quiet zones marked","article",{},true,"\u002Fimages\u002F2026\u002F08\u002Fdual-barcode-placement.webp","\u002Fguides\u002Fdual-barcode-placement","2026-09-04T09:30:00+02:00",{"title":5,"description":324},"\u002Fguides\u002Fdual-barcode-placement\u002F","guides\u002Fdual-barcode-placement","C7UhPCHttJt2wHQBXaB1I9nWHV32vgRZ84M0pxIBdBE",[339,346,353],{"path":340,"sourcePath":341,"title":342,"heading":343,"ogImage":344,"publishedAt":345},"\u002Fguides\u002Feu-regulation-2024-1781-espr","\u002Fguides\u002Feu-regulation-2024-1781-espr\u002F","Regulation (EU) 2024\u002F1781 (ESPR): the DPP legal framework","Regulation (EU) 2024\u002F1781: the legal framework behind the Digital Product Passport","\u002Fimages\u002F2026\u002F09\u002Feu-regulation-2024-1781-espr-hero.webp","2026-09-14T10:00:00+02:00",{"path":347,"sourcePath":348,"title":349,"heading":350,"ogImage":351,"publishedAt":352},"\u002Fguides\u002Fwhat-is-quishing","\u002Fguides\u002Fwhat-is-quishing\u002F","What is quishing? QR code scams, and why brand codes differ","What is quishing? How QR code scams work, and why a brand's code is not the risk","\u002Fimages\u002F2026\u002F08\u002Fwhat-is-quishing.webp","2026-09-03T11:00:00+02:00",{"path":354,"sourcePath":355,"title":356,"heading":357,"ogImage":358,"publishedAt":359},"\u002Fguides\u002Fdo-2d-barcodes-work-offline","\u002Fguides\u002Fdo-2d-barcodes-work-offline\u002F","Do 2D barcodes work offline? What happens at the till","Do 2D barcodes work offline? What happens at the checkout when the internet is down","\u002Fimages\u002F2026\u002F08\u002Fdo-2d-barcodes-work-offline.webp","2026-09-02T10:00:00+02:00",1790007582466]