Are you QR-ready? The barcode revolution is coming!
Let’s be honest: the barcode was never meant to be exciting. But its replacement? That’s a different story entirely – and it’s one that packaging printers can’t afford to skip.
Introduced in the early 1970s, the barcode emerged during a time when global trade was expanding rapidly, and retailers needed more efficient ways to manage inventory and speed up checkout processes.
The very first product scanned with a barcode was a pack of Wrigley’s chewing gum in an Ohio supermarket in 1974. From that modest beginning, barcodes revolutionised retail by eliminating manual price entry, reducing checkout times, improving inventory accuracy, and ultimately transforming how businesses track products throughout the supply chain.
Today, it’s estimated that over 5 billion barcode scans take place daily worldwide. The unassuming barcode has become so ubiquitous that most consumers barely notice them anymore – yet they remain critical infrastructure for global commerce, silently facilitating countless transactions every second of every day.
Now, after half a century of faithful service, this icon of retail packaging is about to undergo its most significant transformation yet. As your trusted reprographics partner, Creation is here to help you navigate this change and turn potential challenges into opportunities for growth and innovation.
The barcode evolution: from lines to squares
GS1, the global nonprofit organisation that maintains barcode standards worldwide, has announced Sunrise 2027 – an initiative that will see traditional one-dimensional barcodes gradually replaced by QR-style two-dimensional codes, also known as matrix codes. This isn’t just a cosmetic change; it will transform how products communicate information throughout the supply chain.
Traditional barcodes have served us well, but they’re limited in their capacity to store information – essentially just identifying a product for pricing purposes. The new 2D barcodes will be able to contain significantly more data. For example, this could include:
- Expiry dates and batch numbers
- Detailed ingredients and allergen information
- Product origins and sustainability credentials
- Recycling instructions
- Links to consumer information
Perhaps most exciting is that unlike traditional barcodes that require specialised scanning equipment, these QR-style codes can be read by virtually any modern smartphone. This opens up direct communication channels between brands and consumers right at the point of purchase or consumption, creating unprecedented opportunities for engagement.
Why this matters for packaging and label printers
For label and packaging printers, this switch is a fundamental shift in what your products need to deliver. Your brand customers will be looking to you not just for printing services, but for strategic guidance on how to leverage this new technology effectively.
The complexity increases exponentially with larger product portfolios. Imagine a food manufacturer with hundreds of products, each requiring unique QR codes containing product-specific information that may need regular updating. The potential for errors or inconsistencies is significant without proper prepress support. Additionally, the visual impact of adding QR codes to carefully designed packaging requires thoughtful integration to maintain brand aesthetics.
This transition also affects your production workflows. The printing and verification of these more complex codes demands greater precision and quality control. Ensuring that the codes are scannable under various conditions – including different lighting, curved surfaces, or after potential damage -becomes crucial to their functionality.
Moreover, as early adopters begin implementing these changes ahead of the 2027 deadline, your customers will be comparing your capabilities with competitors who are already offering QR code integration solutions. Being able to provide not just the printing but the strategy and technical expertise will become a significant competitive advantage.
Taking the stress out of the QR transition
As your dedicated reprographics partner, Creation is perfectly positioned to help you navigate this change. Our expertise in packaging and label prepress means we can:
- Support your transition to 2D barcode integration across your printed materials
- Ensure consistent application of QR codes across varying designs and substrates
- Maintain colour consistency and print quality while incorporating new code elements
- Develop workflows that seamlessly incorporate QR code generation into existing processes
- Guide you through technical requirements to ensure codes are scannable and compliant
Beyond the basics: Making QR codes work harder
The beauty of this change is that it opens up new possibilities for your brand customers. With our support, you can help them go beyond the basics of compliance to truly leverage these new capabilities.
QR codes don’t just have to be functional – they can enhance the overall design and consumer experience. With our colour management expertise and design support, we can help you create QR codes that complement packaging designs rather than detract from them.
With Project Sunrise just around the corner, the sun is setting on the humble barcode. While 2027 might seem a long way off, forward-thinking printers and brands are already beginning to implement these changes. Early adoption means more time to perfect systems, train teams, and develop expertise that can become a competitive advantage.
By partnering with Creation now, you’ll be ready to offer your customers solutions well ahead of the deadline, positioning your business as a leader rather than a follower.
Ready to scan new opportunities?
The worldwide move from traditional barcodes to QR codes represents one of the most significant changes to packaging in decades. With the right reprographics partner supporting your journey, you can turn this challenge into an opportunity to strengthen your offering and deliver even greater value to your customers.
At Creation, we’re already working on solutions to make this transition smooth and stress-free for our printing partners. Let’s work together to ensure your business is QR ready well before 2027.
Find out more about QR codes here.