You’re launching a new product, and your packaging has no room to explain its story—but you need to give customers product details, usage instructions, and support information without cluttering the label.
A QR code on your product solves this by turning a tiny square into a doorway to unlimited digital content. Instead of cramming paragraphs onto a box, you direct customers to a mobile-friendly page with everything they need. But creating a QR code for a product isn’t just about generating a random code—you need the right type, proper design for packaging, and a strategy for what happens after the scan.
In this guide, you’ll learn exactly how to create effective QR codes for products, with practical steps, design considerations, and real-world examples from brands doing it right.
TL;DR
Create a QR code for a product by using a dynamic QR code generator, which lets you change the destination URL after printing and track scan performance. For product use, link to a mobile-optimized landing page with details like instructions, ingredients, videos, warranty info, or reviews. Design the code with high contrast (dark on light), include your brand colors and logo, and test it at actual print size before production. For packaging, choose error correction level Q or H to ensure scannability even if the label gets scratched or worn .
Key Takeaways
- Dynamic QR codes are essential for products—you can update the destination anytime without reprinting packaging .
- QR codes on packaging can link to product information, support, tracking, and marketing content, turning every physical product into a digital touchpoint .
- For packaging that will be handled roughly, use error correction level Q or H so up to 30% of the code can be damaged and still scan .
- Design matters for print: maintain strong contrast, leave a quiet zone, and avoid placing codes over photographs or gradients .
- Real results are measurable—one brand’s QR campaign drove 3.2 million participations and a 1,215% increase in website visits .
What Makes a QR Code for a Product Different?
A product QR code is different from a QR code on a poster or business card. Product packaging has unique constraints: limited space, curved surfaces, potential for damage, and a customer who may scan it anywhere from a store aisle to their kitchen counter.
QR codes on products help brands give customers quick access to product details, instructions, videos, manuals, ingredients, care tips, warranty pages, reviews, certificates, and support resources . Instead of printing too much text on a small label, a brand can use one clear QR code that opens the right information in seconds.
Almost any product category can benefit from this. Food brands can share nutrition details, allergen information, recipes, or sourcing stories. Beauty brands can explain ingredients, usage steps, and product routines. Electronics companies can link to setup guides, manuals, warranty forms, and support pages. Clothing brands can share size charts, care instructions, styling tips, and sustainability details .
Dynamic vs. Static QR Codes for Products
This is the most important decision you’ll make. Here’s why dynamic QR codes are almost always better for products:
| Feature | Static QR Code | Dynamic QR Code |
|---|---|---|
| Destination editable after printing? | No—permanently encoded | Yes—update anytime without reprinting |
| Scan analytics? | No | Yes—see scan volume, location, and device type |
| Can fix broken links? | No—if the page moves, the code is useless | Yes—redirect to a new page without changing packaging |
| Error correction options | Limited | Full control over correction level |
| Context-aware routing? | No | Yes—send different users to different content based on location, language, device, or time |
Dynamic QR codes are especially valuable for products because they solve the “printed link problem.” With a static QR code, if your product page URL changes, you’d need to reprint every package. With a dynamic code, you simply update the destination in your QR dashboard—every printed copy keeps working .
As one platform puts it: “The printed QR encodes a short URL that redirects to your content; you can change the destination anytime from your dashboard, and every printed copy keeps working” .
Step-by-Step: Creating a Product QR Code
Step 1: Plan What Your QR Code Will Link To
Before generating anything, decide on your destination. For product QR codes, the landing page should be mobile-optimized and action-oriented . Options include:
- Product information page: specifications, ingredients, how-to-use, safety notes
- Support resources: setup guides, troubleshooting, FAQs, warranty registration
- Video content: tutorials, unboxing, brand storytelling
- Marketing content: promotions, loyalty sign-ups, reviews
- Transparency information: certificates, test results, sourcing details
For example, a skincare brand can link to a page that explains ingredients and confirms safety. An electronics brand can link to a video setup guide. A food brand can link to recipes and sourcing stories .
Step 2: Choose a QR Code Generator
Use a generator that supports dynamic QR codes and offers the features you need:
- Basic dynamic codes with analytics: QR Top (free for 5 codes) or Bitly
- E-commerce integration: QuiQR Codes (Shopify app with dynamic codes and brand customization)
- Enterprise packaging solutions: platforms like Barcodis that support GS1 Digital Link standards and variable data
- Bulk generation: APIs that generate QR codes from a list of product IDs or URLs
Step 3: Generate and Customize
- Enter your product landing page URL
- Select “Dynamic QR Code”
- Choose your error correction level (see section below)
- Customize the design with your brand colors and logo
- Add UTM parameters to track scans in Google Analytics (e.g.,
utm_source=qr_code,utm_medium=packaging,utm_campaign=product_launch) - Download in the right format—SVG or high-res PNG (300 DPI) for print
- Test with multiple devices
Step 4: Add to Packaging
When adding the QR code to your packaging design, follow these guidelines . For detailed sizing guidance based on scanning distance, see our guide: How Large Should a QR Code Be?
QR Code Design for Product Packaging
Product packaging presents unique design challenges. Here are the critical considerations for scannable product QR codes:
Error Correction Level
QR codes support four error correction levels that determine how much damage they can withstand while still scanning:
| Level | Recovery Capacity | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| L | ~7% damage | Clean, controlled environments |
| M | ~15% damage | General use (default) |
| Q | ~25% damage | Packaging that may get dirty or scratched |
| H | ~30% damage | Labels, packaging, or logos overlaid on the QR code |
Source: Apify QR Code Generator Documentation
For product packaging that will be handled, exposed to moisture, or printed on irregular surfaces, use level Q or H . This allows up to 30% of the code to be damaged while remaining scannable.
Contrast and Substrate
ISO standards require a minimum “symbol contrast” of 40% for a passing grade . Black on white is the gold standard. Here are the key considerations:
- Metallic or glossy surfaces: can cause specular reflection that blinds scanners. Reserve a matte or uncoated window for the QR code area .
- Corrugated board: increase the QR code magnification by at least 20% to compensate for dot gain and surface roughness .
- Color inversion: light codes on dark backgrounds introduce risk. Many older scanners struggle with inverted codes .
- Never place a QR code over a photograph or gradient—scanners need solid contrast .
Quiet Zone and Size
- Leave a blank margin of at least 4 modules around the code—scanners need this to detect the code’s edges
- Use the 10:1 rule: 1 cm of code for every 10 cm of scanning distance
- For product packaging held in-hand, aim for at least 2 x 2 cm (about 1 x 1 inch)
- When in doubt, go larger—nobody complains about a QR code being too easy to scan
What to Link To: Content Ideas for Product QR Codes
Your QR code is only as useful as the page it opens. Here are proven content types for product QR codes:
Product Information
Customers may need more information than what fits on the label. This can include specifications, instructions, safety notes, tutorials, comparison charts, user guides, and FAQs .
For food products: nutrition facts, allergen information, recipes, sourcing stories. For beauty: ingredient explanations, usage steps, product routines. For electronics: setup guides, manuals, warranty forms, support pages. For clothing: size charts, care instructions, styling tips, sustainability details .
Customer Support
QR codes can reduce support requests. If customers can quickly find setup instructions, troubleshooting steps, return policies, or warranty details, they may not need to contact customer service .
Transparency and Trust
QR codes can link to certificates, test results, sourcing details, sustainability information, or production stories. When customers can easily check this information, they may feel more confident about the product .
Unboxing Experience
Brands are adding “unboxing experience” QR codes inside packaging that link to setup guides, warranty registration, or social media prompts .
Loyalty and Marketing
QR codes can lead to loyalty program sign-ups, promotions, sweepstakes, and community content. For example, the beer brand Sagres used unique QR codes on bottle caps to drive a loyalty program, achieving 3.2 million participations and a 1,215% increase in website visits .
Real-World Examples
Bayer: Accessibility QR Codes
Bayer Consumer Health uses Accessible QR codes on Berocca and Canescool packaging. When scanned with accessibility apps like Be My Eyes or Microsoft SeeingAI, users can access important product details including dosage instructions, allergens, and side effects in a clear, structured format . The initiative reduces packaging waste by removing paper patient leaflets and won a Best in Class award for Universal Design at the PAC Global Awards 2025 .
Sagres Beer: P-Code Campaign
Pelliconi partnered with the beer brand Sagres to turn bottle caps into a digital communication channel using unique, serialized QR codes. The campaign delivered measurable results:
- 3.2 million total participations vs. an initial target of 500,000
- +180% growth in Loyalty Program users
- +1,215% increase in website visits
- +193% increase in newsletter subscriptions
This shows how QR codes can evolve packaging from a simple functional element into a true digital channel generating measurable value .
19 Crimes Wine: AR QR Codes
The wine brand uses QR codes on labels to unlock augmented reality experiences where historical characters appear to tell their stories. This transforms a bottle of wine into a storytelling platform .
Best Practices for Product QR Codes
- Always use dynamic QR codes for products—you can fix broken links and update content without reprinting .
- Choose H-level error correction for packaging that will be handled or scratched .
- Design for the substrate—avoid glossy or reflective surfaces, or reserve a matte window for the code .
- Test before printing—scan with multiple phones at actual print size under different lighting .
- Make the landing page mobile-optimized—customers are scanning with phones .
- Add a clear call-to-action on the packaging—”Scan for product details” or “Scan to register your warranty.”
- Track performance—monitor scan data to see which products and placements drive engagement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change the QR code destination after printing?
Yes—but only with a dynamic QR code. Static QR codes encode the destination permanently. Dynamic codes store a short redirect link, so you can change the destination anytime without reprinting.
What’s the best error correction level for product packaging?
Use level Q or H. This allows 25-30% of the code to be damaged while remaining scannable .
How do I print a QR code that will scan on curved packaging?
Position the code flat on the curve and increase its size by 10-15%. For cylindrical objects, maintain a scanning distance of 30-50 cm to minimize apparent distortion.
What should my QR code link to?
A mobile-optimized landing page with content that’s useful to customers: product information, instructions, videos, ingredients, warranty registration, support resources, or promotions .
Can I create unique QR codes for each product unit?
Yes. Serialized QR codes (where each unit gets a unique code) are possible with bulk QR code generators or enterprise packaging solutions. This enables personalized experiences, loyalty programs, and advanced tracking .
Putting It All Together
Creating a QR code for a product is a multi-step process that starts with planning and ends with measurable results:
- Plan your content—decide what value the QR code will deliver to customers
- Choose a dynamic QR code generator with analytics and error correction options
- Design for print—high contrast, quiet zone, appropriate size, and Q/H error correction
- Integrate into packaging—place codes where they’re visible and scannable, and include a clear CTA
- Test and iterate—monitor scan data and update content based on customer engagement
When a QR code works well, it turns every product on the shelf into a digital touchpoint. The brand gets data and engagement; the customer gets instant, useful information. It’s a win-win.
Ready to create your product QR code? Pick a dynamic QR code generator, plan your landing page, and test a code at actual print size before you commit to production. Drop any questions in the comments—we’re here to help.
Sources
- eCommerce Fastlane – Product QR Code Generator for Smarter Product Experiences
- Shopify App Store – QuiQR Codes
- PDF Press – QR Codes for Packaging: Add Scannable Codes to Product Labels and Boxes
- Bayer UK – Universal Design Award at PAC Global 2025
- Pelliconi – Pelliconi and Sagres: Packaging Becomes a Digital Touchpoint
- Barcodis – QR Code Dynamique: Keep Control After Printing
- WordPress.org – Dynamic QR Codes by QR Top
- Apify – Bulk QR Code Generator API
- Packaging World – Digital Link Reveals Conversational Product Packaging Powered by AI
