QR codes are very similar to the printed barcodes you’ve seen over the years – they allow for the translation of a graphic pattern into a machine-readable link or piece of information. Unlike barcodes (which are relatively limited in what they can store), QR codes can contain a wealth of information, allowing for creative use by the general public with just an ordinary smartphone. They are most commonly used to direct a device to a particular link on the internet, or to perform a certain action.

One of the best features of QR codes is that any smartphone can scan them, and no special app or program is required to make use of them. Because of this, they can be leveraged to help you save time wherever you might be when reordering supplies.

Use a QR code when:

• You frequently order the same product over and over again, and don’t wish to memorize codes, or search for the item on a regular basis.
• You want to delegate purchasing items to someone who isn’t as knowledgeable of product codes, and would rather consult a printed list of items.
• You have a highly organized warehouse or workshop, and would like to have a bin-based parts assortment in your warehouse or truck, with an efficient inventory management system in place to buy more when a bin is empty.

Using QR codes can make your life much easier, especially for reactive re-ordering (the act of placing an order as soon as you realize you’re short on stock). It can also be useful for proactive re-ordering, as many people enjoy having printed binders of common stock they can refer to, using their phone to easily replenish exactly what they need.

There are two ways of printing QR codes for reordering purposes:

When you want to print a single QR code for a single item:

• Go to the details page of a particular product.
• Below the product overview (and above the specifications), click on the QR Smart Label button.
• The image of a QR Code for that product will be downloaded (in the form of a .png file), allowing you to print this single label off, or incorporate it into a document or presentation.

When you want to print off a series of QR Codes for multiple items at once:

• Create a list of items (or utilize an existing quote).
• Go to the Export dropdown menu.
• Select Product QR Code Labels.

This method will download a .pdf file containing all of the QR codes laid out in sequence. This sheet is formatted in a way so that it can easily be printed using an Avery-10 sheet of labels, or a compatible equivalent. if you do not have a full ten items selected when you export them, the sheet will contain some blank space (resulting in unused labels).

• Q: Are specific types of label paper recommended?
  • A: Our system will work best with Avery-10 sheets, but can operate with similar compatible brands. If using off-brand label sheets, we recommend you use matte finish for easiest legibility when scanning with a smartphone.
• Q: My labels no longer seem to work. What can I do?
  • A: Labels will, over time, begin to wear out if they’re in high traffic areas. If your phone is unable to scan the QR code, it may be best to print fresh copies and replace the old one. However, if the phone is able to scan the QR code but leads you to a Page Not Found prompt on the website, then it may be possible that the product you’re attempting to scan no longer exists in our catalog. We recommend you take the label to your nearest Andrew Sheret branch and enquire if the item was discontinued.
• Q: Are QR codes compatible on all hardware and devices?
  • A: Technically yes. QR Codes are platform agnostic, meaning they can be used on both Android and Apple devices, provided the device is new enough to include built in QR code recognition support (many do). Other devices, such as tablets or laptops can in theory use QR codes as well, but may require the download of a third-party QR code reader in order to use them.
• Q: If I print a partial sheet of QR codes using the Avery-10 template, can I reuse the existing blank labels later?
  • A: We recommend printing a full ten QR codes at once to maximize label use. If some unused labels remain, we do not recommend trying to reuse these, as it may cause uneven results, or a printer jam.