1. Create Your IBN Link Account

Get started with our 30-day free trial, which gives you a 2D Barcode (QR Code) and Digital Link for a single product.

We also provide various subscription options based on the number of products you require 2D Barcodes for.

2. Complete the Add a Product form

To get started, log in to the dashboard and complete the Add a Product form (please see our instruction guide for help when completing the form).

You'll need to fill out this form for each unique product GTIN (UPC or EAN-13 number). Typically, each product variation, such as size or color, will have a different product GTIN.

Within the form, you can include various Product Links (also known as GS1 Link Types) to provide your customers with specific product information. For instance, you can offer information in different languages, promotions, or instructional videos. Our Resolver System can decode these Product Links, allowing different scans of your product's QR code to redirect to various Digital Content. For example, a customer scanning your product's QR code in Brazil could be directed to digital information in Portuguese, while a customer scanning the same product QR code in the UK would be directed to digital information in English.

Once you've completed the form for each product, simply click the "SUBMIT" button. Your products will then be saved in your account, and you can log in at any time to view or modify the product information or links.

3. Generate your Digital Link and 2D Barcode

Once your products are added, they will appear in your Dashboard. From there, you can easily access and manage your product information, view the associated Digital Links, and download the QR code images (in SVG format).

To view or download the QR code image, simply click on the green QR code button located to the right of the product.

 

Click DOWNLOAD to download the QR Code image in SVG format and save it to your computer.

The generated Digital Link and 2D Barcode will only encode your GTIN (EAN-13 or UPC number). Additional product details are not directly encoded. However, when the 2D Barcode is scanned, the IBN Link Resolver will direct the user to relevant product information. This redirection is based on the Link Types you have connected to your product through the IBN Link Dashboard.

Note: If you wish to include extra information (e.g., batch number, best before date, or weight) directly in the Digital Link URI and 2D Barcode, you can use our free IBN Digital Link Generator. This tool allows you to create as many 2D Barcodes as needed.

4. Insert the 2D Barcode into your product label design

Insert the 2D Barcode (QR Code) into your product label design and adjust its size if necessary.

Your product label or packaging must include both the EAN-13 or UPC barcode and the 2D barcode. While modern retail scanners can read 2D barcodes at the Point of Sale, older systems may not, making it necessary to have both types.

Please see our 2D Barcode Sizing and Placement Guide.

5. Check and test your 2D Barcode

Perform a test print of your label or packaging with the 2D Barcode.

Use your smartphone camera to scan the printed 2D Barcode and ensure that it can easily decode it.

After scanning, your smartphone camera should redirect you to the correct product information page on our website. Double-check that the 2D Barcode matches the correct product!

If you encounter scanning issues, it might indicate errors in how the barcode image was edited or printed. Ensure that the printed barcode is sharp and clear, without any blurriness.

6. Print your 2D Barcode on your product labels

After confirming that your 2D Barcode scans easily and links to the correct product information page, you can proceed to print the QR code on all your labels and packaging.

You're all done! You can come back and change your product information and Product Links at any time.