“Hello, nice to meet you. Please scan my QR Code.”

What?! Scan my QR Code? Really?

Yes, really. What you overheard could in fact happen. QR Codes are no longer a “what’s next” innovation from Popular Science. QR Codes are reality. As we discussed in one of our earlier blog posts, “Twitter, RSS Feeds, Facebook, oh my! Is Printing Getting Run Off The Press?” the offline world continues to seek stronger communion with the online world. QR Codes are a manifestation of this communion. The surge of online innovation has spurred a resurgence of offline innovation. And this is only the beginning.

Take Facebook for example … recently TechCrunch reported early rumors that this behemoth of a social network was experimenting with the integration of personalized QR Codes with online profiles. Print the code on practically anything and all your friends will be able to take a picture of it and instantly view your Facebook profile in all its glory.

Microsoft is taking the concept of QR Codes to a new level. Clearly understanding the power of integrating offline with online, this technology powerhouse has created a technology called Microsoft Tag; even recently launching an Android app awarded best of March 2010. While similar, Microsoft Tag and QR Codes are quite different. How are they different? Read through this dialogue.

QR Codes are even appearing on large billboards. Take a picture of the QR Code below with your mobile phone and instantly navigate to a dedicated website with a wealth of additional information; significantly more than what is spatially possible on the billboard itself.

So if you are still wondering what a QR Code is, think of it as the mobile version of the barcode. Wikipedia also gives a nice definition:

“A QR Code is a matrix code (or two-dimensional bar code) created by Japanese corporation Denso-Wave in 1994. The “QR” is derived from “Quick Response”, as the creator intended the code to allow its contents to be decoded at high speed.” Read More

One reason we get excited about QR Codes is because of its ease of implementation and dissemination. Most smart phones nowadays are already equipped with the technology to decipher unique QR Codes. This makes sharing your contact information, contest rules, quotes or websites, fun and easy.

Some people even experiment with QR Codes as temporary tattoos, as seen below.

Or, if you are really brave, and maybe even a little eccentric, you could permanently tattoo your personal QR Code.  If you go this route we hope your QR Code redirect is something very special.

Because we see the value in innovation and printing, we are always trying to think of unique ways to use QR Codes creatively for our clients. Here are just a few of our favorite ideas:

• At trade shows for name badges
• Backdrops at events
• Temporary Tattoos
• T-shirts
• Business cards
• Coffee mugs
• Any promotional product that you want information shared

For purposes of this blog post, we created a QR Code of our own. Go ahead. Scan it! To be able to scan and read a QR Code, you will need to download a QR Code reader. Visit this link and select one of the many options.

The future is exciting. As the Internet continues to innovate, so will printing. If you want to get innovative with your brand and explore the potential of printed QR Codes, give us a call 800-786-7411, email us info@bannersonaroll.com, or live chat with us from our home page. We’d be happy to help blend your online and offline worlds.