A plain QR code contains only a web address. A GS1 Digital Link QR code contains a web address that is built from your product identifiers, such as your GTIN, batch number and serial number. People still scan it with their phone camera, but retail and logistics systems can also read the identifiers from it.

How a GS1 Digital Link works

A GS1 Digital Link is a web address with identifiers in a standard order, for example:

https://example.com/01/09506000134352/10/LOT42

Here 01 marks the GTIN and 10 marks the batch or lot. For an individual item, 21 marks the serial number. Because the structure is standardised, the same code can open the passport for a consumer and identify the product at a till or in a warehouse.

Do you need one?

Not necessarily. ESPR requires a data carrier and a unique product identifier, and the act for each product group sets the details. A plain passport QR code works for customers. A GS1 Digital Link is useful if you already have GTINs, sell through retailers that scan them, or want to replace a barcode and a passport QR code with one code over time.

What you need

  • a GTIN assigned to your product, which you get through your national GS1 organisation. DPP Ready does not issue GTINs or verify that you own them;
  • a batch number for batch passports, or a serial number for individual-item passports.

Creating one in DPP Ready

After publishing, open the passport’s QR screen, choose Customize QR and select GS1 Digital Link. The GTIN comes from the EAN/GTIN field in Product identity, and DPP Ready checks its check digit. A model passport uses the GTIN only, a batch passport adds its batch number and an individual-item passport adds its serial number. Every PNG, SVG, PDF and label-sheet export then uses the GS1 code. Note that the identifiers in the code are public, whatever the visibility of those fields in the passport. DPP Ready is not a GS1-certified resolver, so the link opens the passport only. Read more about GS1 Digital Link in DPP Ready.

Printing tips

  • download SVG or PDF for print work, so the code stays sharp at any size;
  • keep a quiet zone of empty space around the code;
  • print dark on light, with enough contrast, and avoid glossy or curved surfaces where you can;
  • test a printed sample with several phones before a full print run;
  • add a short line near the code, such as “Scan for product information”.