You’re now ready to design your QR codes on your labels. Keep in mind the following best-practices and recommendations.<\/p>\n
Please keep in mind that if your winery is in a rush to print labels, it\u2019s possible to start by generating the QR codes, downloading, and including them in your label designs first. So long as you have control of those QR codes via your software or other system, and return to the above steps later, this is perfectly fine.<\/p>\n
Where should the QR code be placed on the label?<\/b><\/p>\n
Most wineries are choosing to put the QR code on the back label to minimize impact to branding.<\/p>\n
What should be written on or in the QR code?<\/b><\/p>\n
Several companies prepared to print, or have chosen to print, QR codes with an \u201ci\u201d symbol in the center of the QR code to represent \u201cget more info\u201d. Others have included \u201cScan for info\u201d or \u201cScan for more info\u201d and placed this adjacent to the QR code. This latter \u201ccall-to-action\u201d with clear explanation as to the contents of the site accessed by the QR code satisfies the latest regulatory requirements. Unfortunately, the “i” symbol is explicitly not sufficient and has been deemed too ambiguous.<\/p>\n
It’s important to consider that the QR codes may be scanned in other markets outside of the E.U. Prioritizing different information for those consumers in other regions, for example branding for the product or winery, authenticity check features, etc. can all be accounted for and redirected based on geo-location parameters and triggers.<\/p>\n
If you decide to use a \u201ccall-to-action\u201d near the QR code, be sure that it will be suitable for all regions and relevant to the content that may be served to the consumer.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n \n \n <\/picture>\n Example of how wineries are printing QR codes on their wine labels beginning in 2023<\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n\n<\/div>\n\n
How big should the QR code be printed on the label?<\/b><\/p>\n
We recommend a minimum size of 13mm x 13mm and a maximum size of 16mm x 16mm for the QR code, not including the quiet zone (see below). On the lower end of this spectrum (6mm x 6mm), a consumer will have to position their camera a few inches from the QR code to be able to scan it. At the larger end, they will have to be farther away. Anywhere in the range is acceptable, but we recommend something in the middle so that consumers have no issues scanning.<\/p>\n
All QR codes must have a \u201cquiet\u201d zone – a white area around the QR code. We recommend four times the size of individual cells in the QR code – for reference, this would be 1.5 mm for a 10 mm QR code.<\/p>\n
You should confirm with your label designer and\/ or printing provider that the QR code image you download from your e-label solution can be printed at 300 dpi or higher at your desired size on the label.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n \n \n <\/picture>\n <\/figure>\n\n<\/div>\n\n
What color should the QR code be?<\/b><\/p>\n
We recommend a black QR code on a white background. Other dark colors on white or light background may be possible, but should be tested by scanning a print test with a standard QR code reader app. White on black background (inverted) can also work, but should be tested as it requires sufficient contrast.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n \n \n <\/picture>\n Note the high contrast between QR code and the background.<\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n\n<\/div>\n\n
Can the QR code be a different shape?<\/b><\/p>\n
QR codes can only be square shaped. Creative effects can still be achieved despite this by embedding square QR codes in shapes that are not square e.g. a rotated square, a parallelogram diamond, etc. In these cases, keep an eye to maintaining the requisite quiet zone.<\/p>\n
What resolution should the QR code be printed at?<\/b><\/p>\n
We recommend 300 dpi or higher to prevent issues with scanning by consumers.<\/p>\n
That’s it! If you’ve finished Steps 1 through 4 as described above, you can apply your wine labels – with QR codes – onto the wines you wish to make compliant with the E.U. law.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n \n Other questions and considerations when planning an e-label compliance project\n <\/h1>\n\n\nCan you switch to a different e-label vendor after QR codes from that vendor have already been printed on labels applied to wines? How does vendor lock-in work with digital wine labels and QR codes?<\/b><\/p>\n
Your options depend on your implementation.<\/p>\n
There are three approaches:<\/p>\n
\nUsing a static QR code which cannot easily be changed (NB: don’t do this!)<\/li>\n Use a dynamic QR code with a future redirect option<\/li>\n Use your domain for the QR codes, including the function for dynamic redirect<\/li>\n<\/ol>\nLet\u2019s use an example involving two electronic label solution providers, Provider A and Provider B. You start your implementation with Provider A, generate QR codes using their solution, and print those codes on your wine labels. After a year you aren\u2019t satisfied with their service or have encountered some other difficulty and want to move to Provider B.<\/p>\n
For new wines, you can simply use Provider B to generate the new e-labels and QR codes.<\/p>\n
However, for the wines which already have printed labels with Provider A’s QR codes, the QR codes you printed on wine labels have Provider A\u2019s website domain name in them, and customers who scan those QR codes would still go to a website that they control. This is far from ideal.<\/p>\n
Option 1 – Static QR code<\/strong><\/p>\nThis means you are using a URL in the QR code that was not meant to be redirected to a new URL. Depending on who controls the domain and server related to the URL in the QR code, it may be impossible to change the URL. That leaves you completely locked-in. This is a major reason why static QR codes are not recommended.<\/p>\n
Option 2 – URL redirection<\/strong><\/p>\nIf Provider A offers URL redirection even after you terminate use of their e-label service, then anytime a customer scans a QR code on a wine with QR codes from Provider A, that customer would first open a webpage hosted by Provider A, then their browser would redirect them to the e-label on Provider B\u2019s platform.<\/p>\n
Some solutions, including association-backed ones, claim they will provide URL forwarding if you terminate with them. But even in this case, you are taking them at their word that they will provide that technical service, even at a fee, reliably, for as long as your wines are on the market.<\/p>\n
This is why it’s essential to choose a solution provider who is an established company, with established customers, who you know will be around while your wines are on the market.<\/p>\n
Option 3 – Use your own domain in the QR codes<\/strong><\/p>\nThis requires a bit of preparation and is a more advanced approach. In this scenario, the e-label solution uses your own domain name. That way, if you ever decide to leave the service and host e-label pages elsewhere, you won\u2019t be locked in at all – you control the website address inside the QR code.<\/p>\n
We recommend using your own domain name in the QR code if you\u2019re worried about vendor lock-in or are a large global brand with specific requirements for this level of control. You should consider asking your e-label solution provider early on in the project what is required to use your own domain name for the URLs in the QR codes.<\/p>\n
Can you have one QR code serve multiple purposes, including e-label?<\/b><\/p>\n
Your e-label can have a direct link to your website, but you cannot link to pages with marketing information, such as, but not limited to:<\/p>\n
\nWebshops<\/li>\n Product sales<\/li>\n Event invites<\/li>\n Newsletter<\/li>\n Loyalty programs etc.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\nUntil now, there has been no further definition of what does and does not constitute \u201cmarketing information\u201d provided by the regulator.<\/p>\n
What capabilities in an e-label solution are usually required by a global wine brand seeking compliance?<\/b><\/p>\n
The following technical capabilities (features) are usually required by larger wine brands:<\/p>\n
\nBulk upload of SKU information and\/or APIs<\/b> – This can save significant time doing manual entry for many SKUs and prevent typos which could impact compliance.<\/li>\nAuto-translation and translation management<\/b> – Similar to the above, saves time and ensures compliance.<\/li>\nSolutions for expected future compliance requirements<\/b> – It\u2019s expected that many country-specific recycling and anti-waste labeling laws similar to those recently released in France and Italy will emerge, not to mention pending wine and spirits labeling rules being evaluated in the U.S. by the TTB. Having a global solution prevents need to integrate new QR code solutions each time a new law emerges.<\/li>\nIntelligent URL scan destination for non-E.U. markets<\/b> – Provides a useful scan experience for non-E.U. consumers who do not require the E.U. e-label.<\/li>\nGS1 compatibility<\/b> – Ensures your QR codes are compatible with this important emerging standard, where QR codes will replace the existing 2D barcodes on products.<\/li>\nSecurity and availability uptime guarantees\/ SLA<\/b><\/li>\nGlobal and multilingual support team<\/b> and onboarding, support materials<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n