QR Codes in Everyday Life

By using special techniques to embed these QR codes in products, the products 'appearance can be preserved while also providing functions such as anti-counterfeiting, traceability, and information interaction.The article will also examine the technical principles behind the technology and its value to users, helping consumers and companies alike to better understand this innovative technology.

Why is the use of QR codes spreading so quickly?

People may not have noticed, but the packaging of imported snacks, the bottles of well-known cosmetics, and even the hang tags on clothes often contain QR codes that are invisible to the naked eye.This technique uses special ink or laser engraving, and the code is completely invisible until a mobile phone's flash is used to illuminate it.It does not affect the appearance of the product, and also helps prevent counterfeiting and trace the source of a product. It is loved by brands and consumers alike.

Here we analyze three practical scenarios.

Food and drink anti-counterfeiting and tracking.

Recently, a friend of mine bought a bottle of water and discovered a reflective area on the inside of the cap. Using WeChat's scanning function, he discovered that this area contained information on the production batch.This is a typical application of invisible QR codes, printed directly on food-grade materials that do not affect food safety.For consumers, this makes it easy to confirm that they have the genuine article. And for manufacturers, it provides a way to pinpoint the source of counterfeiting.

Interactive marketing for cosmetics.

A domestic cosmetics brand has embedded QR codes in the logos on their lipstick tubes, which can be scanned to bring up makeup tutorials.This design is more sophisticated than paper labels, and can avoid the problem of labels being torn off after the sale.In fact, it has been found that the scanning rate for QR codes is 40 % higher than that for traditional codes, and young people especially like this type of interactive "easter egg.

The origin of electronics accessories.

Counterfeit accessories such as earphones and charging cables are particularly common.Some brands now use microcodes that are invisible to the naked eye and can only be seen under ultraviolet light.The repairman tells me that this allows us to quickly determine if the parts are genuine, and is much more reliable than the anti-counterfeiting stickers of the past. Counterfeiters simply cannot reproduce the three-dimensional texture of a laser etch.

How can ordinary people use this technology well?

When purchasing expensive items, develop the habit of using your cellphone's flash to scan the packaging, especially at the edges and seams.

2. If the scanner doesn't react, don't immediately assume the item is a fake. The problem might be that the light is hitting the item at the wrong angle; try turning it in different directions.

3. If a brand owner considers using this technology, it should be used first on products that are easy to counterfeit. The initial cost is about 15 % higher, but the cost of fighting counterfeits later on can be reduced by half.

It is worth noting that some small workshops will use semi-transparent inks to counterfeit invisible QR codes. These can be rubbed off with alcohol.The real thing, however, is a technology that scans and records the verification code, and keeps a record of every time the code is scanned.