Resources -

The following is a list of companies where you can purchase or download barcode fonts.

Aeromium Barcode Fonts - Develops and publishes barcode fonts package that creates Code39, Code128, UPCEAN and I2of5 barcodes.
Azalea Software Inc. - Publishes bar code software that creates Code 39, PDF 417, Code 128, UPC, EAN, Interleaved 2 of 5, and other barcode symbols. Bar code fonts work under Microsoft Windows, Macintosh, UNIX, and other platforms.
BarFonts - Collection of PostScript Type 1 fonts for printing bar codes, available under the GNU General Public License. The fonts consist of bars only, there is no human readable text along with the bars.
Barcode Writer - Open source PostScript barcode writer.
BarcodeSoft Fonts - Publishes barcode fonts and MICR fonts for cheque printing.
BizFonts.com - Bar code fonts including Code 39, Code 128, EAN and UPC. High density barcode fonts such as PDF417 and DataMatrix are also available. Free downloads.
Carolina Barcode - Code 2 of 5 Primer and Extended Code 3 of 9 fonts for Macintosh or TrueType format. Demo available.
ConnectCode Barcode Fonts - Develops and markets barcode fonts that supports the I2of5, UPCEAN, Code128, Code39 and UCCEAN barcodes.
Elfring Soft Fonts, Inc. - Developer of a wide range of barcode TrueType and LaserJet fonts for use under DOS, Windows and Unix. Trial packages available for download.
Free Code 39 font - Free Code 39 true type bar code font. This font supports the 43 characters of the Code 39 symbology.
FreeFloat Barcode Package - Barcode package includes the following symbologies Code 39, Code 128 (UCC/EAN-128), Standard 2 of 5, Interleaved 2 of 5, and Codabar.
I Shot the Serif – Free 3 of 9 - Completely free Code 39 font includes all ASCII characters.
IDAutomation TrueType Fonts - An easy to use package of TrueType Barcode, MICR and OCR fonts.
Kanecal - Offers symbols used in drafting/blueprint callouts. Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T) symbols (with Feature Control Frames) plus Statistical Process Control (SPC) symbols. Barcodes for government shipments and Quality symbol fonts.
PrecisionID Inc. - A global supplier of barcode software and fonts including Code 128, Code 39, Interleaved 2 of 5, EAN, UPC, ASP, PDF417, Data Matrix and more

What is a QR code?
A QR code is a 2 dimensional barcode. Unlike a UPC or an EAN barcode that contains numerical data only, is read in a single direction and requires some sort of database to pull information, a QR barcode contains alpha-numeric data and is read both horizontally and vertically.
Data is embedded in a QR Code. Typically, the data in a QR code is a URL pointing people to a website or a Facebook page. It can also be used for virtual business cards and to send other information, however the most common use is directing your customers to a website landing page.

Why scan?
If you are going to add a QR code on your packaging, flyers, website, posters, etc., do it from your client’s perspective. Make the experience count. Get your landing page to take them to the next step in the business relationship. Don’t tell them the same thing you already told them and make it fun, interesting or educational for everyone involved.
Things that you can do are: Give additional information, have a contest, send people to your online store, scan for directions to your business, sweepstakes, liking your Facebook page, conduct a survey, etc.

Make it serve a purpose.
In addition to making it worthwhile for your customer, there has to be a reciprocal reason for you. What is your purpose for adding a QR code? If you are not gathering information about your client so you can further the business relationship, it’s truly a waste of time for you. This can be done either by getting them to sign up for your mailing list, liking your Facebook page or making a purchase.

The Right Size
Make the QR code big enough to scan easily. The minimum size should be 1.25x 1.25. If the QR code is any smaller than that, the code becomes difficult to scan. QR codes were created to make it easy for people to link content so, make it easy for them to scan properly.

Make the codes easy to read.
The longer the URL for the landing page, the more data there is in the QR code. The shorter the URL, the easier it is for the smartphone to grab the image. Think about using URL shirtners like TinyURL or Bitly.

Provide multiple paths.
The QR code is secondary, your primary goal is getting people to respond to your campaign. Not everyone will use a code reader to ‘snap’ the code so it is very important to include multiple paths to get to your campaign. A shortened code that they can click on or input into their web browser will get more people involved.

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Media Media Inc. can help with your QR code strategy. Contact us at info@mediamediainc.com or call 775-376-8075