Yes, 2D Barcodes Will Change Retail - But There's a Lot of Inertia to Overcome First

Mon, Jun 8, 2026 1 min read

Moving from a static 1D barcode to a dynamic 2D barcode is not a simple graphic design update. For fifty years, brands have printed millions of identical packages with a static EAN code stamped in the corner. To switch to a dynamic 2D barcode, a manufacturer has to print a unique, high-resolution QR code on every single package in real time on a fast-moving production line.