QR code: Interface between printing and internet

It has been 20 years since the introduction of QR codes in Germany. It was originally invented by a Japanese bar code and card reading equipment manufacturing company. The real challenge of applying QR codes today is to effectively integrate this technology in marketing or promotional activities in order to use QR codes to interact and communicate with customers or participants. The use of QR codes is of reference significance to the current digital printing enterprises and network printing platforms facing the public.

Little code has a big effect

Two-dimensional pixel graphics with different information are hidden behind the code. Compared with the traditional barcodes used by supermarkets which are mostly digital combinations, QR codes can encode a large amount of information into codes. This information includes text, website data, phone numbers, e-mail, geographic data, etc. For example, a smartphone camera connected to a software (QR code reader) can be used as a scanner to decode, and the stored information can be viewed on a web browser. Using the QR code, you can also send text messages or read contact data from business cards and save them in the address book. What's more, after scanning the QR code, you can open the video of the product demonstration or directly link to the company's online store.

According to a survey by the well-known American Comsco Network Market Research Company, as of December 2012, about 31 million people in Germany own smartphones. The number of people who have the technical possibility to access QR codes is growing, and they are the target audience for advertising messages. According to statistics, consumers now give a better evaluation of this QR code for cross-media extended dialogue. This shows that QR codes have great potential for marketing.

From the appearance, the QR code with pixel graphics is not very attractive. In fact, it tends to arouse the curiosity of observers. QR codes can be used in a variety of locations, where are they used for the best results? In 2012, the Nielsen Media Institute conducted a survey on QR code advertising, and the results showed that 83% of the respondents thought the QR codes in advertisements and magazines were compelling, and 70% of the respondents noticed the QR code on the product packaging , 64% of respondents pay attention to the QR code on the poster. 39% and 34% of the participants scanned the QR code on the webpage and elsewhere. The market research institute asked "what information do you want to get from scanning the QR code", 81% of the respondents answered "want to get relevant product information", 44% of the respondents "want to link to the product manufacturer's homepage", and 26% received The interviewees expected other information. 20% of the respondents participated in the lottery game through QR codes, and only 9% of the respondents stated that they had no specific goals.

When an advertising company uses a QR code, users can benefit from it, increase their focus on the product, and even arouse the desire to buy. The data stored in the QR code is an effective medium for establishing contact with the target group and improving contact with customers. A new generation of smartphones or PDAs (handheld computers) can use advertisers to provide web-based information. QR code marketing results can be evaluated by corresponding analysis tools.

There are tips for using QR codes

Wrong QR code is harmful to users. A German network security, storage and system management solution provider warned that if a QR code printed on a billboard is covered by a label with an incorrect QR code, smartphone users may mistakenly install malware after scanning and using it. Therefore, experts suggest that users use QR code readers, and before forwarding to the target, the reader can display the details of the target-at least the web page address. For suspicious links, users must never jump easily.

Despite the aforementioned potential hazards, QR codes still have undisputed advantages in modern communication portfolios. Before using QR codes for marketing activities, it is important to think about your customers and target your target group with complete accuracy. How can we provide value-added to customers and how can we actually help customers? This is a question that needs to be answered.

When using QR code elements to help plan marketing activities, you should pay attention to the following tips: determine the target and target group; test the technical possibilities of the target group; provide value-added to customers; In all activities; making mobile optimized link pages; checking the quality of QR codes; test results.

In the above technical tips, ensure that the advertising audience has no objections to the use of QR codes in marketing. QR codes are simple to make and apply, and the codes are easy to read and process. Enterprises consciously enhance the use of QR codes, which will make users trust the application of QR codes.

Encoding and printing of QR codes

QR code production is simple and cheap, and a variety of "generators" can be used. However, the following points should be noted when coding and printing:

The traditional QR code consists of a black-and-white square matrix that displays the contents of the binary code. Three corners of the four corners of the code specify the orientation of the software, and the QR code data is protected by error correction codes. The software allows up to 30% data loss during decoding. However, the code can still be decoded.

The design of QR codes is a problem that deserves attention in the future, and the codes can be personalized through changes in company logos, images, or colors. For example, the micro QR code is a variant optimized within the smallest size. The minicode has only one directional mark in the upper left corner, instead of three marks, it can be coded with up to 35 numbers or 21 alphanumeric characters. In addition, the secure QR code contains extended functions to encode data content. Furthermore, the latest development of iQR code as a standard QR code is not necessarily a square, it can also be a rectangle.

The code made with the "QR code generator" solution, consisting of a self-selected website, wireless LAN settings, e-mail address and electronic business card, is called a static code. The dynamic code can be used to change the target address at any time and at any time, even if the advertising material is already printed, it can also be changed. In addition, color QR codes with company logos or other graphics can also be produced.

QR codes can be printed by all common methods. But pay attention, try to achieve a higher contrast, ideally a combination of black and white. The code can also be printed in multiple colors. Of course, the code itself must also have a uniform contrast.