Rings up at the till
The code carries the GTIN a point-of-sale system needs, so it works where the old linear barcode did.
QR code type
2D barcodes on the GS1 Digital Link standard
One code that does two jobs — it carries a GTIN a checkout can ring up and opens a product page when a shopper scans with their phone. The next-generation barcode built to replace the old EAN and UPC stripes.
- GTIN + URL
- Scans at POS
- Phone-friendly
- GS1 Digital Link
Scan to verify
How it works
Create a 2D barcode in three steps
Enter GTIN and link
Add the product's GTIN and the destination URL you want phone scans to open.
Design and print
Style the code within GS1 guidelines, then download a print-ready file for the packaging.
Ship it on-pack
One printed code now works at the till and on a shopper's phone, and the destination stays editable.
Where it fits
The barcode retail is moving to
Retail product identity
Give each SKU a single code that both the register and shoppers can read.
GS1 packaging
Print a compliant Digital Link code on cartons, labels and wraps.
Barcode upgrades
Move from separate EAN and QR marks to one next-gen 2D code.
Product transparency
Point phone scans at ingredients, sourcing or a product passport page.
Inventory and traceability
Encode the GTIN retailers and warehouses rely on to track stock.
Global catalogues
Use a standard GTIN so the code is recognised across markets.
2D barcode FAQ
What is a GS1 Digital Link?
It's a standard that packs a product's GTIN and a web address into one 2D barcode, so the same code can be scanned at a checkout and opened on a phone.
Will this scan at the checkout?
The code carries the GTIN a point-of-sale system reads, but retailers need POS scanners and setup that support 2D Digital Link codes. Confirm your checkout is ready before switching.
Can it replace my EAN or UPC barcode?
That's the goal of the standard — one 2D code in place of the old linear barcode plus a separate QR. Adoption depends on your retail partners' scanners.
What do I need to create one?
You provide the product's GTIN and the destination URL you want phone scans to open, and Qrcado builds the Digital Link code.
Can I change where phone scans go later?
Yes. The destination is a link you control, so you can update the product page any time without changing the printed GTIN.
A reliable way to build it
- Decide which identifier and destination belong together.
- Keep the printed symbol clear and test it on the final material.
- Use the destination page to publish current product information rather than squeezing it into the code.
Good fits for this QR type
This type is especially useful for product passports, traceability pages and warranty and care information. The strongest implementation usually pairs the code with a short printed instruction that tells people what they will get after scanning.
What to review after launch
Use aggregate reporting to review scans by day, country, device. Create separate QR records for separate placements when you need a clean comparison; one shared code cannot tell you which poster, table or package produced the scan.
One limit worth knowing
Treat the code as the doorway, not the database. The destination should remain the source of truth.
Questions to answer before publishing
- Will the information change? This dynamic type can be updated, but someone still needs to own the destination and review it.
- What should the printed instruction say? Describe the result of scanning in a few words rather than using “Scan me”.
- Does each placement need separate reporting? Create a different QR record for every placement that must be compared.
- Has the final proof been tested? Check the real size, surface, lighting and mobile destination with more than one phone.
Move to the barcode built for phones and tills
Create your first GS1 Digital Link 2D barcode.