During my trip to Japan a couple of months ago, (Wow! It’s been that long?) I learned a lot about Japanese technology and every day life just by staying in Tokyo alone. Printers always talk about how the internet and technology is taking over print and print will become obsolete one day. However, in Japan, they have figured out a way to integrate print with technology using a new two-dimensional code in every day marketing pieces.

Bar codes are already very popular in our every day lives. From supermarket groceries to book store magazines, bar codes encrypt information in a small area. However, as more and more information become available, people are looking for an alternative to store more information and more character types that won’t take up more space than it does right now. QR is short for Quick Response and the technology was developed by Denso Wave in Japan and was released in 1994. It has gained international acclaim in Asian countries and is now moving its way into North America.

Advantages of QR Codes

Capacity

Unlike barcodes with information only in one direction, the QR Code is a two-dimensional code with information stored on the vertical and horizontal direction. As a result, the QR Code can hold up to 7089 Numeric data, 4296 Alphanumeric data, and 2953 Binary data. Compared to barcodes that can only hold approximately 20 digits, the QR Code is far superior to the traditional barcodes.

Footprint

QR Codes can hold the same amount of information as traditional bar codes but in one-tenth of the space it takes for barcodes. For an even smaller printout size, there are Micro QR Codes available. The symbol size ranges from 21×21 (Version 1) to 177×177 (Version 40) and grows by 4 modules/side.

Dirt and Damage Resistant

QR Codes can be restored even if the symbol is damaged or dirty. Up to a maximum of 30% of the data can be restored.

Readability

QR Codes can be read in any direction thanks to the position detection patterns. These patterns are located on three corners of the symbol and it helps reduce background interference. In addition, a single QR Code can be divided into multiple data areas then reconstructed as a single symbol when needed. This allows the user to print up to 16 symbols in a more narrow printing area.

Standardization and Use

On June 2000, The QR Code standardization received approval from ISO International. The QR Code System can be generated using QR Code Printers and software to generate the code. There are scanners that are designed for a variety of applications. Cellular phones are the most common form of QR Code scanners used in Asia as teens capture QR Code information from posters of their favourite Rock Star’s upcoming concert to advertisements on the Subway. The uses for QR Codes are limitless, groceries stores print it on their receipts, marketers print it on their ads to increase interest, and stores print it in their ads to generate maps and hours of operations. Honestly, this is such an exciting technology that I can’t wait for Canada to catch up on it!

Here are some samples of QR Codes Usage in Japan

McDonald’s in Japan Use of QR Codes

Disneyland Advertisement Using QR Codes

Courtesy of http://blog.cliffano.com/2009/05/18/qr-code-usage-in-japan/

Survey Results of QR Codes Usage in Printed Materials Japan

http://whatjapanthinks.com/2005/09/26/qr-codes-extremely-popular/

Disclaimer: Most of the information used for the blog post was drawn from the website http://www.qrcode.com/ developed by Denso Wave. Please visit their site for more information.

I was travelling in Tokyo just over a month ago. As I am in the bindery business, I often look out for cool and interesting magazines or books. In addition to looking at how well (or how terribly) the book is bound, I love looking at the ads in the magazines as well.

I came across this ad from Axe (the deodorant that’s a spray) and it totally blew my socks off!

This is what the ad looked like from the first page. But if you look closer…

The bottles come out! In addition, the bottles are all scratch and sniff so you can experience the new scent without purchasing it.

Beneath each bottle is an attractive young girl with her reaction to your scent.

Now I’ve brought this ad back to the shop and talked to the guys here. Most of their reactions have been, “Cool!” although we’re not too sure how it’s done. I thought it would be a cool thing to show you how companies market themselves in other parts of the world.

If you take a look at the barcode on the bottom right there, I’ll be talking more about it on my next post!