A QR (Quick Response) Code is a two-dimensional square bar code. It consists of black blocks on a square background and contains embedded information that can be read by QR barcode readers and smart phones. Developed and now widely used in Japan, its original use was to quickly identify and track car parts in the manufacturing process. More recently, because of their versatility and the explosion of smartphones, they have taken off in the United States. No longer relegated to the car parts industry, QR Codes are now being integrated into traditional and interactive marketing campaigns.

Here are a few examples:

Sears
In the Sears 2010 Holiday Wish Book Catalog, Sears added QR Codes that, when scanned, direct you to web pages that include additional information about the product, tips and even videos of the product in use.

The Cleveland Art Museum
For their "How Do You See It?" Campaign, the Cleveland Art Museum used QR Codes within an outlined form of the Egyptian Shawabti. The QR Code drove viewers to their new website where they could access online tours of the newly opened galleries which included: Greek, Roman, and Egyptian art; Byzantine and medieval art; African art; and prints and drawings.

Print Tech
Print Tech has incorporated a QR Code on the back of every employee's business card. This QR Code contains the Print Tech address and his or her phone number and email address. Once scanned, the information can easily be saved in your contacts folder.

You can download the QR reading software for you mobile device from your favorite App store and for more information on QR Codes, call us at 1-800-422-5527 or visit www.print-tech.com.