Digital Printing and QR Codes: Enhancing Interactivity in Packaging

Amidst the rapid evolution of technology in our digital age, traditional print materials may seem antiquated. However, the print industry has embraced innovation, leveraging modern technology to enhance its relevance and functionality. A prime example of this adaptation is the integration of digital printing packaging techniques, such as the inclusion of QR codes on product packaging, which serves to enhance the customer experience greatly.

This approach has gained significant recognition among different sectors. From retail giants like Walmart and Starbucks to industry leaders such as Nike and General Motors, QR codes have become a staple in packaging strategies. This integration benefits customers by providing quick access to product information and empowers brands to address issues of product traceability and authentication effectively. 

However, the packaging industry experts frequently come across one question: Why shift from traditional print material to QR code technology, and how can it enhance interaction in packaging projects? Well, continue reading this blog to learn more about digital printing packaging and QR codes. Here, we will also shed light on its benefits and discuss how they can be used to upgrade the customer experience. 

A Brief History of Digital Printing in Packaging

Traditional printmaking techniques, including offset lithography printing, flexography, rotogravure, silkscreen printing, etc., have been widely used for several decades. While these printing techniques used sustainable practices in terms of materials employed, lithography and other techniques still require a complex setup process and demand a high material cost.

In contrast to traditional techniques, such modern printing techniques are cheaper and hold numerous advantages, as the digital packaging process doesn’t demand a complex setup process and lowers the overall material costs. As a result, today, there has been a significant shift in advanced digital printing methods, allowing more and more individuals to use this efficient and cheaper solution.

QR Codes: A Smart Packaging Technique

Denso Wave, a Japanese subsidiary, introduced the QR or (Quick Response) codes in the mid-1990s. Over the past few years, QR code adoption rates have significantly increased due to their impressive data-rich storage and quick scanning abilities. In fact, more and more businesses have expanded their usage of modern technologies in different areas such as marketing, advertising, mobile payments, and revolutionizing digital information access and interaction. 

Brands design a QR code for products by opting for a QR code generator and an online logo representing the brand’s identity. Such QR codes are connected to different sources, offering additional information about a particular product in URLs and PDFs. 

These QR codes must be scanned by a camera on the smartphone or a specialized QR code scanner that enables the user to access the information quickly. As a result, this eliminates the hustle of manually searching for information on laptops and computers and allows users to access relevant details directly through their mobile devices.

QR Codes: Boosting Interactivity in Packaging

Besides enabling users to access information related to the product, QR codes significantly boost the interactivity in packaging. The following are some of the benefits that you may consider: 

• Quick Information Accessibility
  As mentioned, QR codes offer users direct access to comprehensive product information, including specifications, ingredients and components, usage instructions, and whatnot. As a result, this raises awareness, builds trust, and helps individuals make informed decisions according to their preferences.For example, vegan consumers wish to determine if their preferred product is organic. In this case, they can quickly use QR codes to learn about detailed food product recipes and make well-informed choices.
• Engagements with Brands
  Today, the adoption rate of QR codes has significantly increased across different industries, including restaurants, hotels, food and product packaging, etc. Integrating QR codes into social media platforms has become one of the effective strategies among various brands.This directs the users to the brand’s website and social media platform and leads to increased customer engagement. Crafting such innovative digital tools also makes sharing and connecting virtually much easier.
•  Alternative for Customer Feedback
  Gone are the days when brands requested customer details to gather customer feedback. Instead, today, businesses are relying upon QR codes directing individuals to customer feedback landing pages to collect their valuable feedback and customer satisfaction levels.It’s worth mentioning that the use of QR codes to gain insights into customer satisfaction levels is on the rise, as it is one of the easiest and most effective ways to deliver a top-notch customer experience that also results in enhanced customer trust and relationships.
• Traceability and Authentication
  QR codes not only benefit the users but also leverage the QR code owners. Yes, businesses can employ QR codes to understand the product’s journey through the supply chain, assuring legitimacy and fighting against counterfeit goods.This safeguards the brand’s reputation as these counterfeit goods account for over 8-9% of total trades, resulting in lower sales and posing health risks in severe cases.

Conclusion 

Advanced printing technology, such as QR codes, has revolutionized digital packaging by allowing businesses to enhance consumer interactive experiences. Atlantic Packaging’s expertise in digital print packaging and a team of skilled professionals help brands enhance their digital presence using this advanced technology. Consider collaborating with Atlantic Packaging as your trusted partner in the packaging journey to enjoy better customer engagement