QR Code & Barcode Blog Page 2 of 4
Guides, tutorials, and tips on QR codes, barcodes, and scanning technology — for businesses, developers, and everyday users.
What's Actually Inside a QR Code: Every Data Format Explained
A QR code only holds text. Wi-Fi, MeCard, vCard, geo, otpauth and the rest are conventions on top — with escaping rules most generators get wrong.
QR Code Logo Size: How Much Can a Logo Actually Cover?
Level H does not let a logo cover 30% of a QR code. The 30% figure counts codewords, not picture. What the real limit is, and how to work it out for your own code.
Barcode Country Codes: What the First Digits Actually Tell You
Look up what any barcode prefix means — 400, 690, 729 and the rest — and why those digits identify the GS1 member organisation, not the country of manufacture.
The UK Deposit Return Scheme Needs a New Barcode on Every Can
From October 2027 UK drinks containers need their own barcodes, registered before they scan. Why a GTIN change is unavoidable, and what the spec requires.
What Is Actually in the UDI Barcode on a Medical Device
UDI has three identifiers and only two of them are in the barcode. What the carrier encodes, why the Basic UDI-DI is not there, and the 28 November 2026 deadline.
What's in the Barcode on Your Driver's License
Your licence's PDF417 holds your name, address and date of birth as plain, unencrypted text. See every field it carries — and read your own in the browser.
You Got a Package You Did Not Order, and It Has a QR Code
A parcel you never ordered, with a card saying scan to find the sender. What the QR code is really for, why your address is the actual problem, and what to do.
The FDA's 12-Digit NDC: What Changes on US Drug Barcodes, and When
The FDA's March 2026 final rule moves the NDC to 12 digits and lets a 2D barcode replace the linear one on drug labels. What changes, when, and what it breaks.
PPWR and QR Codes: What EU Packaging Law Actually Requires
The EU Packaging Regulation applies now — but its QR code rules do not yet. What Article 12 makes mandatory, what stays optional, and the deadline Brussels missed.
What Is an SSCC? Pallet Labels Explained
An SSCC is the 18-digit number identifying one pallet or carton. How the digits are built, how the check digit works, and how to read a GS1 logistics label.
What's in Your Boarding Pass Barcode
The barcode on your boarding pass is unencrypted plain text. Here is every field it carries, what a stranger can do with it, and how to read your own.
Bulk QR Code Generator: How to Create Multiple QR Codes at Once (Free Methods, 2026)
Need 20, 200 or 2,000 QR codes from a spreadsheet? Compare three free ways to bulk-generate them, and when a paid platform is actually worth paying for.
What Is GS1 DataMatrix? A Plain-English Guide
GS1 DataMatrix is the square barcode on medicine packs and factory parts. How it differs from a QR code, what data it carries, and how to read one.
How to Scan a QR Code on a Computer (Windows, Mac & Chromebook) — 2026 Guide
Scan a QR code on a laptop with no phone and no webcam: decode a screenshot right on this page, or use the built-in tools in Windows, macOS and ChromeOS.
How to Use Your Phone as a Barcode Scanner for Inventory (Free, No Hardware)
Turn any iPhone or Android into an inventory barcode scanner — no hardware, no subscription. Setup, symbology choice, and spreadsheet export.