💻 Key takeaways:
1. QR Codes on clothing labels let you share detailed information about the origin, material, and care instructions. You can even add offer and promotion details.
2. It is an opportunity to tell your brand’s story, enhancing brand recall and customer experience.
3. Linking QR Codes to social media pages helps increase following and engagement. It also enables you to collect reviews and improve your brand image.
Although small in size, retail brands can utilize clothing labels to share valuable information with shoppers in-store.
It helps with enhancing consumers’ first impression of your brand and improves the retail experience.
However, isn’t there a limit to how much information you can display on a clothing label?
With QR Codes on clothing labels, there is no limit to the amount of information you can share with consumers. It’s a technology that helps brands accompany consumers and help them with the information they need at every stage of the consumer buying journey. For example, a QR code on a women’s linen dress could provide exclusive access to style tips from fashion experts or a curated playlist that complements the dress’s aesthetic. It might also link to video tutorials showcasing different ways to wear the dress, offering versatility and inspiration for various occasions.
And creating these QR Codes is as easy as it sounds, with Uniqode’s QR Code maker.
4 steps on how to print QR Codes on clothing labels
Step 1: Log on to the Uniqode dashboard
Log on to the Uniqode dashboard and click +Create QR Code.
Step 2: Select QR Code type
Select a QR Code campaign type from the ones listed.
Step 3: Customize QR Code
Customize your QR Code. Select a predefined template, customize the eyes, add a logo, pick a QR Code data pattern and background, and add a call-to-action frame.
Click Next.
Step 4: Download QR Code
Download your QR Code in any of the five available formats – PNG, JPG, SVG, PDF, EPS
Check out smart packaging using QR Codes & NFC
QR Codes on clothing labels: Things to keep in mind
#1. Pick the right format for QR Codes on clothing tags
Before you download and print your QR Code on a clothing tag, ensure that it is in a suitable format to avoid compromising image resolution.
The ideal QR Code image format for clothing labels is PNG since it works best for small-sized print media.
#2. Choose a scannable QR Code size for your clothing label
Often, QR Codes on clothing labels are too small in size, rendering them unreadable on smartphone cameras and QR scanner apps.
A QR Code’s ideal size on a clothing label should be at least 2 cm x 2 cm to ensure it’s scannable.
You can use the formula: QR Code Size = Scanning Distance/10, where the scanning distance is the distance between the smartphone and the QR Code.
#3. Customize your QR Code
You can customize QR Codes by changing the shape, eye color, data pattern, and even add a border to blend with clothing labels and maintain aesthetic appeal.
Additionally, adding a brand logo on clothing labels helps increase brand representation. Go the extra mile and create branded QR Codes on labels, and tags to match your brand’s color scheme and set your brand tone throughout.
When printing QR Codes on clothing labels, make sure that the color of your QR Code is in contrast to the color of the fabric you’re printing on. Otherwise, this can affect your QR Code’s scannability.
For instance, if the color of your garment’s fabric is dark, use a light shade for your QR Code so that it’s easily readable by mobile devices.
#4. Select an error correction level for your QR Code
At times, QR Codes on clothing labels can experience natural wear and tear that will impact its scannability. To avoid this, generate QR Codes with error correction so that they’re readable even when slightly damaged.
For QR Codes on clothing labels, we recommend using an error correction level of M. This means that even if 15% of your QR Code is damaged, it will still be readable by smartphones and other mobile devices. For a robust clothing label, you can use label design software to add your QR code to a complete label template and print it to your label printer.
#5. Add a call-to-action frame to QR Codes on clothing labels
While creating your QR Code for clothing labels, add a custom call-to-action frame text. Ensure that the text is urgent and actionable to nudge consumers towards scanning your QR Code. This will increase the number of scans and interactions with your products.
For more impact, personalize your call-to-action frame text for higher conversion rates. According to HubSpot’s research, personalized CTAs convert 202% better than plain ones.
Where are QR Codes on clothing labels used?
#1. Establish supply chain transparency with QR Codes
A fast-growing trend in the apparel sector is supply chain transparency. Consumers want to learn more about how their clothing items are made and their journey from manufacture to the point of sale.
QR Codes can provide visibility into the supply chain, allowing customers to trace the garment’s origins and verify its ethical and sustainable production practices.
Having a QR Code on clothing labels enables consumers to scan and access information such as where the fabric is sourced from, locations of fabric mills, the fair treatment of employees at factories, and the date of shipping.
StudioSuits also agrees that sharing this sort of information with consumers shows how transparent your brand is, which plays a vital role in earning their trust and improving your brand image.
How Ralph Lauren uses QR Codes on clothing tags for authenticity and supply chain transparency
Ralph Lauren, a luxury retail brand, uses QR Codes on clothing labels to let consumers know more about the garments they purchase. Upon scanning, they get access to detailed information about the clothing item along with styling tips.
Additionally, QR Codes can serve as a tool for product authentication, allowing customers to verify the authenticity of their purchase and combat counterfeiting.
Due to these efforts, the brand proves how authentic its garments are to consumers.
The brand’s supply chain managers also use these QR Code clothing labels to track shipments throughout the supply chain and improve traceability.
#2. Share usage instructions and clothing information using QR Codes on clothing labels
QR Codes can link to detailed product information, including fabric composition, care instructions, sizing charts, and manufacturing details, enhancing customer transparency.
Whether it’s to share details about the fabric, washing instructions, or tips on how to recycle the clothing, this information goes a long way in helping consumers at every stage of the consumer buying journey. For example, a QR Code on a men’s suit can contain information like how to dress it with a men’s casual cocktail attire and other styling guides to give dressing options to the customer.
Pre-purchase, information about the fabric, detailed size measurements, and colors available via a QR Code on a clothing label helps shoppers make quicker decisions while mulling over what to purchase.
Post-purchase, consumers can revisit the QR Code on the clothing tag for washing instructions.
The above efforts help increase consumer delight and lead to more purchases from consumers.
#3. QR Codes on clothing labels for brand storytelling
A great way to convince shoppers to purchase from your retail brand is by providing content that they can emotionally connect with. Emotional connections lead to trust and a better brand image. And that is where brand storytelling comes in.
Add a QR Code on your clothing labels to share your brand’s story with shoppers. Take details such as what inspired your brand and how its vision came into place, and build a story that consumers can relate to.
Incorporating QR Codes for brand storytelling plays an essential role in shaping your brand to increase consumer appeal, brand loyalty, and acquiring more consumers.
#4. QR Codes for coupon marketing
It’s no surprise that consumers love a good deal. 71% of shoppers look for discounts and deals on clothing before shopping, according to Statista’s reports.
QR Codes can provide access to exclusive discounts, promotions, or loyalty rewards, incentivizing customers to purchase or revisit the brand in the future.
Make it easier for consumers to grab the best deals by adding a QR Code on clothing labels. When they see a garment they like, they can scan and access the coupon code for their purchase.
Add a frame text that indicates the discount percentage, such as ‘Scan to get 20% off’. This gives consumers a clear idea of what the discount is and further incentivizes the entire shopping process.
When consumers know they’ll get a good discount off a clothing piece they like, it further fuels their decision to purchase it.
#5. QR Codes to promote social media
Social media is a crucial channel for retail brands. It’s where consumers like fashion influencers turn to for fashion inspiration, advice, and the search for their next purchase.
130 million Instagram users tap on shopping posts every month, according to Instagram’s article. This further proves that social media is the hub for fashion-related research and upcoming clothing.
Add QR Codes on clothing labels to let shoppers scan and follow you on social media platforms like Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. This ensures that they get regular updates from your brand on new releases, the latest sales, and inspiring fashion advice.
Moreover, you can also request consumers to post a review or comment on a post to help increase visibility.
Provide an incentive such as a 10% discount on their next purchase to prompt them to engage with your brand online.
#6. Provide interactive experience with QR Codes
Whether it’s the in-store shopping experience or the moment when a consumer unboxes their latest garment purchase, engagement is key to keeping consumers happy.
QR Codes enable interactive experiences such as virtual try-ons, styling tips, or personalized recommendations, enhancing the overall shopping experience for customers.
Brands can use QR Codes on clothing labels to link to a virtual try-on studio, an augmented reality experience, an upcoming event, or exclusive content in the form of videos.
This amps up the levels of consumer engagement, grabs consumers’ attention, and elevates their mood for shopping.
Cecilie Bahnsen, a Danish designer, launched her new collection called ‘Edition‘. Each dress comes with a QR Code that, upon scanning, shows the visual history of the dress, from its first sketch to how it was fabricated, along with a helpful care guide.
This initiative aims to educate consumers on the dress’s authenticity with the help of visuals to engage shoppers in-store and instill excitement towards every designer piece.
It is a great tool to take you on a journey of the process and all the love and consideration that goes into each piece.
Cecilie Bahnsen
#7. Use QR Codes on clothing labels for feedback
Retail brands depend on third-party retailers and resellers to make their clothing items accessible online to consumers.
The problem is that these brands don’t get complete access to consumer data that would otherwise help them understand consumer preferences and behavior better.
They also face the challenge of not being able to interact with consumers and market to them directly.
To bridge this gap, brands can use QR Codes to link to feedback forms or surveys, allowing customer input on product satisfaction, preferences, or suggestions for improvement.
This way, brands can build a direct-to-consumer channel that helps them understand their consumers better and get access to first-party data.
Retailers can also leverage QR Codes to drive traffic to the brand’s website and get consumers to purchase directly from them. While the consumer is on the website, adding a discount popup will help increase conversion rates.
A popup builder directory will give you a top view of the best popup software available. Running a QR Code campaign this way gives the brand complete end-to-end control over its marketing efforts and helps it understand what its consumers love.
#8. Cater to international markets
With multilingual QR Codes, it is possible to redirect your customers to regional content, based on their location or the mobile device’s preferred language.
They can link the QR Codes to their online store so that consumers can re-order their favorite products anytime. This drives the number of repeat purchases and increases traffic to your online store, depending on location.
With metrics from QR Codes such as number of scans, location, device, duration, etc, you get insights on where your customers are purchasing from, the country with the highest purchases, and so on. This helps brands optimize their sales and marketing funnel or distribution strategies accordingly.
Why choose Uniqode to create QR Codes for clothing labels
QR Codes on clothing labels are a practical tool to bridge physical garments toward digital, interactive experiences.
With the versatility of dynamic QR Codes, it’s possible to share diverse content from fabric sustainability to applying discount vouchers to boost customer engagement.
With the fashion industry’s future being interactive, both established and emerging brands can embrace QR Codes to elevate customer experience and enhance brand recall
Curious about how your brand can use QR Codes for clothing labels? Try creating your first one below.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Do QR Codes work on clothes?
Yes, QR Codes do work on clothes. With the right QR Code generator and following the best practices, you can easily create a QR Code for clothing.
2. How do I generate QR Codes for clothing labels?
You can generate QR Codes for clothing labels by using Uniqode’s QR Code generator.
3. Can you print a QR Code on fabric?
Yes, you can print a QR Code on fabric. All you need to do is ensure that your QR Code’s color contrasts with the fabric’s color. Also, make sure that the material isn’t rough in texture since this can affect the QR Code’s scannability.
4. How do I print my QR Code on a clothing label?
Once you’ve finished creating your QR Code, you can download it as an image and add it to your clothing tags or embroider it onto your clothing labels using stencils.
5. How do I scan a QR Code on a clothing tag?
Open your smartphone’s camera app, position it above the QR Code, make sure it’s clearly visible, and scan it.