QR Code for Product Authentication: Here's How

With the emergence of QR code-based product authentication, many brands and companies combat counterfeit products so that customers can quickly know which product is authentic or not.

Counterfeit goods are a global problem that has affected many brands and companies worldwide.

Many have become a significant concern as it threatens product innovation and revenue and result in a loss of consumer loyalty. 

While companies use many tools and software to address counterfeit products, QR codes generated in the best QR code generator play a vital part in solving this problem.

But is it indispensable to invest in these tools?

Definitely, yes, and here’s why.

In the jewelry products themselves, 71% of consumers would choose a jewel for its traceability and product authentication, as reported by the “Sustainable Luxury Consumer Report.” 

That said, counterfeiting is a major concern for both brands and consumers that must be dealt with intelligent and advanced tools like QR codes. 

Impact of rising counterfeit products

The trade of counterfeit and pirated goods is increasing alarmingly despite the relative slowdown in overall world trade. 

According to the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and the EUIPO in their report, “Illicit trade: trends in trade in counterfeit and pirated goods,” based on last year’s world seizure data of counterfeit and pirated goods that attempts to measure the scale of the problem. 

Based on their findings, the international trade in counterfeit and pirated products could have amounted to as much as $509 billion last year, estimated to be 3.3% of world trade – up from $461 billion to this day, representing 2.5% of world trade.

The rise of counterfeit products impacted industries, and they have experienced a 98 billion dollars loss in sales damage in the present alone.

The automobile industry is also facing the same problem and incurred €2 billion in losses yearly due to counterfeit tires and batteries, as declared by EUIPO in its 2018 report. 

Aside from the monetary damages counterfeit products incur on the brands and companies affected, their customer and investors’ trust lowers.

Fake and mislabeled materials and ingredients create health and safety risks that affect many industries, such as pharmaceuticals.  

Furthermore, counterfeit electrical products also endanger human lives and cause property damage.

These ramifications emphasize the need for solutions to combat counterfeiting and one of these is QR code technology.

What is a QR code, and how to use a QR code in product authentication?

A QR code, shorthand for Quick Response code, is a two-dimensional barcode invented in Japan.

It can store information and be accessed by simply scanning the code using a mobile device.

Brands or companies can put information in the code about the specific product, such as product name, model number, factory of manufacture, batch, etc.

They can also make a dedicated landing page where the product authentication details of each product are stored. To generate a QR code, they can copy the specific URL of each product.

Use the bulk QR code feature to generate a volume of QR codes simultaneously in a few minutes.

Once generated using the best QR code generator online, they can print unique QR codes on products and product package labels.

They can place it on the outer package of the product so that it is easily accessible for scan by a customer.

Create your bulk QR code for product authentication using the best QR code generator

A bulk QR code generator is one of the best features in QR TIGER that allows QR code generation in bulk, so you don’t have to generate QR codes for your product individually. 

In QR TIGER QR code generator online, you can create a bulk QR code for the URL with the number and log-in authentication for your anti-counterfeiting campaign. 

You can save time by creating multiple QR codes that you’ll print along with your products or packaging. 

This means to say your workflow process becomes faster and more efficient. 

Process before creating your QR codes for product authentication 

To effectively reduce your counterfeit goods, you can generate a Bulk URL QR code for a large number of products.

This solution allows you to generate thousands of unique QR codes for your goods, which contain an authentication log-in and token (in this case, the token is the unique number per QR code generated).

When a customer scans the unique QR code, this redirects him to the website URL of the management with an authentication log-in and token seen on the URL of the website.

Before deploying these unique QR codes, they should be entered into the electronic database or an in-house system.

To do this, your company needs to have a website where the databases of products are found. 

Therefore, companies should create a public verification page first.

The page should take in the code in the URL and query the database for its validity.

This website page is built to show the status of the products.

First step: Fill out the spreadsheet of your QR code data 

First, fill out the details on your spreadsheet with all the information you need to embed into your QR code. This way, you can generate multiple QR codes in one batch. 

You can download the template for Bulk QR code with login and authentication serial number here: https://qr1.be/HJLL

When done, save it in a CSV file, and upload it to the Bulk QR solution of a QR code generator online.

 Below is a detailed guide to creating it.

How to create your bulk anti-counterfeit QR code using the best bulk QR code generator

1. Go to QR TIGER website online

2. Go to the bulk QR tab and select the first option.

3. Click the Generate Bulk QR icon and upload your filled-out CSV file of Bulk QR code with login and authentication serial number. Always choose dynamic so that you can edit and track your QR codes. 

4. Generate your Bulk QR code and customize its design

5. Run a scan test

6. Download the QR codes, which will be saved in a compressed folder (.zip file). 

Then proceed in extracting and printing them to your product labels or packaging. 

Benefits of QR codes in product authentication

1. Ease of use

QR code is built for the customers’ convenience.

With its ease of use and ubiquity, customers will whip out their mobile phones to scan the QR code to access the product authentication details in just a few seconds.

2. Integrates well with product design and packaging

Marketers have been using QR codes in the usual print collaterals and product packaging, hangtags, closures, boxes, and even clothes. 

The QR code is easy to incorporate into any product design, size, shape, and messaging.

3. QR code in product authentication is cost-effective

QR code in product authentication is a low-cost mobile solution that allows companies to address counterfeit items. 

These companies need not shell out large amounts of money for additional workforce or equipment to maintain product authenticity.

They need to choose the best QR code generator to safely and accurately implement this solution.

4. Easily engages consumers

QR code ensures low friction for the consumers to engage with the brand.

They only need a smartphone device to scan and access the information to identify if the product is authentic or not.

Brands using QR codes in counterfeit-proofing products

The following brands and companies are doing their best to combat counterfeiting and minimize its impact.

1. QR code authenticity check by Ralph Lauren Corporation

A fashion brand, Ralph Lauren makes product authentication easy for customers by adding QR codes printed next to the label.

According to the company, the authentication process will help tackle “counterfeits, grey market items and trademark infringement that can confuse the market.

2. Tous

Tous, a jewelry brand well known for specializing in accessible luxury, engraved a QR code on their jewelry collection to verify its authenticity.

They can also check the provenance of materials, the manufacturing process of each piece of jewelry, and the certifications to guarantee that the jewelry is sustainably made.

4. QR code-based product authentication used by 1017 Alyx 9Sm

1017 Alyx 9Sm, a fashion brand known for its luxe streetwear, uses QR codes for traceability and authentication.

Image Source

Alyx printed scannable QR codes on the product hang tags.

When scanned, it displays information on the entire supply chain history of the piece. 

It has valuable data like where the brands sourced the raw materials, manufactured the garment, and its shipping record. 

4. Diesel

Diesel, a jeans company, printed a QR code to its product around its waistline displaying a short call to action, ‘Scan for Authenticity,’ to assist consumers in verifying the product’s originality before making a purchase.

Generate QR codes in product authentication now with the best QR code generator

Brands and companies can combat counterfeits, grey market items, and any forms of trademark infringement that confuse the market.

It is no wonder that QR Code based authentication systems are now becoming the norm for consumer products. 

This intelligent tech tool helps brands maintain brand integrity and enable product interactivity.

It also passes a vital message from various brands that they exert their best effort to prevent product piracy and protect products from counterfeiters.

To know more about how to use QR codes in product authentication, contact us today.