IMPORTANT: You must source the original digital data for our QR Code for compatibility with Guardtek! Purchasing QR codes without using the file we provide will result in unscannable QR codes with Guardtek!
This article will review how to get QR Code raw text and order QR Codes. We will also review how you can create and print your own QR Codes or some alternatives based on where the QR Codes will be used.
How to Get QR Code Raw Text
To get QR Code raw text:
1. Contact your Customer Success Specialist or Support@trackforce.com, and they will provide you with an Excel spreadsheet of raw text codes.
2. Download and Save the Excel spreadsheet of raw text codes.
How to Order QR Codes
NOTE: There are often minimum quantity requirements (typically 1,000) when ordering QR Codes from a third-party vendor. If you are deploying a minimal amount of QR Codes, you may wish to print them out yourself.
To order QR Codes:
1. Contact your Customer Success Specialist or Support@trackforce.com, and they will provide you with an Excel spreadsheet of raw text codes.
2. Go to https://www.weprintbarcodes.com/contact.html
3. Enter your information in the form and select "QR Codes" for "Area of Interest"
4. In the "How can we help?" section, request QR codes generated from your data (the Excel sheet we provided). The QR codes should be unique, and use each line of the Excel sheet to generate individual codes. We recommend 1"x1" Extreme Durability tags for outdoor use.
5. A rep should be in contact with you for the next steps after the form has been submitted.
How to Create Your Own QR Codes
To create your own QR Codes:
1. Contact your Customer Success Specialist or Support@trackforce.com, and they will provide you with an Excel spreadsheet of raw text codes.
2. Download and Save the Excel spreadsheet of raw text codes.
3. Go to the Website: https://the-qrcode-generator.com/
4. Copy the raw code from your spreadsheet to the QR Code Generator - Enter text to share here
5. This will generate a QR Code. Click the SAVE icon.
6. Name the QR Code and select PNG as the format, then click SAVE, and your QR Code will download to your computer.
7. You can use the following Word Template to save and print out the QR Codes.
Printing QR Codes Based on Where They Will be Used
Since QR Codes can be printed on various papers, stickers, and plastics, you have many options depending on where the QR Codes will be used.
Indoors
When used in low visibility low, traffic areas, many have successfully used self-adhesive labels to print QR Codes on and simply stick the QR Codes on a flat smooth surface.
Outdoors - Dry and Mild Weather
Some have found that in dry and mild weather areas, simply printing QR Codes on thick card stock and then laminating them has allowed them to use them successfully in various outdoor settings.
Outdoors - Inclement Weather - Hard Plastic
In areas that experience frequent rain/snow and/or high humidity, users have found that laminated QR codes can be difficult to scan.
An alternative to laminating self-printed QR Codes is to get the QR codes printed on hard plastic from a company such as http://www.plasticprinters.com/die-cut-cards/
They have a 1"x1" option that works well and can be applied in several ways.
Outdoors - Inclement Weather - QR Code Books
You may encounter clients who do not want you to "wallpaper" their site with QR Codes. In such cases, many have elected to print a QR Code book rather than posting the QR codes on-site.
An officer can use a QR Code book to scan a specific QR Code using a pocket-sized book of the QR Codes for a site.
Benefits and accuracy can be verified by:
- The QR Codes can be GPS pinpointed.
- Officers can add a photo to be included with each QR code.
- You don't have to worry about posting QR codes all over the property (which saves time and headache)
- You don't have to worry about QR codes going missing, falling off, or being unable to scan.
Example of a self-printed spiral-bound laminated QR Code book:
NOTE: In most cases, users have found that using NFC Tags for outdoor inclement weather scenarios is a better, longer-lasting solution.
For more information on using NFC Tags, please visit our Help Center and type in NFC Tags in the search field.