Connected products

Looking to put QR codes on your products?

QR codes on packaging have moved from marketing gimmick to industry standard. With GS1 Digital Link, the same code shoppers scan for information can be read at checkout. SmartDocent's parent platform, SmartLinks, is built to do exactly this.

Why brands add QR codes to products

A scannable code gives every product a direct line to the customer after it leaves the shelf.

  • Product information, ingredients, care and sustainability data
  • Authenticity checks to fight counterfeits
  • Warranty registration and digital manuals
  • Loyalty, competitions and repeat-purchase offers
  • First-party data about where and when products are scanned

What is GS1 Digital Link, and why does it matter?

GS1, the organisation behind the barcode, is leading the retail move to 2D codes (often called "Sunrise 2027"). GS1 Digital Link encodes your GTIN inside a web address, so one QR code works for both point-of-sale scanners and consumer phones.

That means you can replace or supplement the traditional barcode without printing two codes, and send shoppers to a page that is specific to the product, batch or even individual item.

QR, NFC or both?

QR codes are cheap to print and work on any phone camera. NFC tags are tapped rather than scanned and are harder to copy, which suits premium goods and authenticity use cases. Many brands use both: a printed QR on the pack and an NFC tag inside the product.

How SmartLinks helps

SmartLinks gives every product, batch or serialised item a digital identity, then lets you plug in experiences such as warranty, authenticity, manuals, competitions and AI product assistants, all with scan analytics. It's the same platform that powers SmartDocent's QR and NFC visitor guides.

Frequently asked questions

What is GS1 Digital Link?

GS1 Digital Link is a global standard that puts a product's barcode identity (its GTIN) inside a web address. One QR code can then be scanned at the till and by shoppers who want product information.

Do I need a new barcode to use GS1 Digital Link?

No. GS1 Digital Link uses the GTIN you already have. The QR code simply encodes it as a URL that can also open a digital experience.

Can every individual product get its own QR code?

Yes. Serialised QR codes or NFC tags give each item a unique identity, which supports authenticity checks, warranty registration and ownership records.

Ready to connect your products?

SmartLinks handles QR codes, NFC and GS1 Digital Link for brands of every size.

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