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With the rising popularity of QR Codes, brands are looking for innovative ways to get customers to scan a QR Code.
From painting them on a large canvas to getting them tattooed- QR Codes remain a creative tool that drives traffic, boosts brand awareness, and improves customer engagement.
One such unique trend that is increasingly gaining popularity is QR Code engraving.
Engraving QR Codes has grown as a creative marketing strategy in recent years. It is redefining how people interact with a rapidly digitizing world around them in exciting new ways.
Take, for instance, Swiss luxury watchmaker Moser Schaffhausen AG. They launched a ‘hybrid timepiece‘ with the entire watch face covered with a QR Code, 3D-printed on the sapphire crystal.
Each QR Code is customized to authenticate ownership and unlock a world of privileged access to the watchmaker’s virtual-digital ecosystem. And can you ignore the sway of the pixelated look of the solid titanium rim?
You can also deploy similar ways of creatively engraving QR Codes into your marketing collaterals. From watches to stone walls and even wooden surfaces, you can engrave a QR Code with ease.
With Uniqode’s QR Code maker, you can easily create, track and manage engraved QR Codes.
In this blog post, we will look at how businesses use QR Code engraving to improve customer experiences and boost their marketing efforts.
Let’s get started.
Table of contents
- Can you engrave a QR Code? And is it worth it?
- QR Code engraving: Step up your marketing game with these innovative ideas
- Bonus: Create, track, edit, and manage engraved QR Codes
- Best practices for engraving your QR Codes
- Frequently asked questions
Can you engrave a QR Code? And is it worth it?
You can easily engrave QR Codes on a wide variety of physical surfaces. For instance, you can etch or engrave them on different materials like wood, metal, glass, and stone using engraving machines.
Engraving QR Codes onto your marketing collateral enhances its aesthetic appeal, making it easy for your customers to access digital content.
For instance, imagine having a custom-engraved QR Code menu on a wooden dice to match the wooden interiors of your restaurant.
Along with the aesthetic appeal, your customers can quickly access your QR Code menu with a simple scan and place an order without waiting in line or for a server to do the same.
Adding a touch of exclusivity to your customer’s experience goes a long way in setting your business apart from competitors.
Innovative ways to engrave a QR Code and step up your marketing game
Here are some unique ideas for QR Code engraving to take your marketing game to the next level:
1. QR Code engraving on wood
Whether on doors, tables, or custom gift boxes, engraved QR Codes on wood look beautiful and promise a unique experience for your customers.
Picture these ideas:
- A hotel door has a QR Code, which upon scanning, leads the scanners directly to the hotel’s website.
- Coffee tables in a cafe or co-working space have QR Codes engraved on them that connect to free WiFi upon scanning.
- Custom wooden gift boxes with QR Codes engraved on them. Upon scanning, it can lead to a personal video message or a brand’s landing page.
By using wooden QR Codes, you can create a memorable and sophisticated experience for your customers.
2. QR Code engraving on metal objects
Engraving QR Codes on metals such as jewelry and nameplates offers unique and memorable experiences to people who scan them.
Think of a beautiful pendant as a gift that has an engraved QR Code in it. Every time you scan the QR Code, you’re taken to a personalized message or an image from your loved one.
Or, let’s say you’re a doctor, and there are often high wait times for your patients in the waiting lounge. How about engraving a dynamic QR Code in the metal nameplate outside your chamber?
Every time someone scans, it leads to your website, blog, and subscribed digital magazines that they can enjoy while waiting for the appointment.
QR Codes on metal objects are practical solutions to communicate additional information from physical objects, which may otherwise be impossible because of space crunch.
3. QR Code engraving on glass and acrylic
Whether it’s a shop window, ceramic cutlery, or any other glass-like surface, you can now add a touch of finesse to your marketing plan by engraving QR Codes on them.
A good example is the Guinness QR Cup campaign by New York-based advertising agency BBDO.
Guinness beer glasses were engraved with QR Codes and distributed across bars nationwide. The idea was, upon pouring the beer—which has a specific dark hue—the QR Codes in the glasses would become scannable.
The engraved QR Code was part of the brand’s attempt to amplify its social media engagement by sharing access to coupons, offers, and exclusive content via scans.
However, engraving QR Codes onto fragile objects like glass or acrylic can sometimes be risky and impractical. Instead of engraving, you can add custom QR Code stickers or labels on fragile objects like glass that blend in smoothly. This can prevent breakage.
4. QR Code engraving on walls and stones
You can use QR Codes on public walls, sidewalks, and buildings for promotional or practical purposes.
For example, a QR Code on a public wall could take people to a city map or tourist website upon scanning. With QR Codes on sidewalks or parks, people can scan and access all the information they need to know more about local culture, tourist attractions, famous food joints, etc.
When it comes to QR Codes on walls and stones, on a more somber note, people have also begun to engrave QR Codes on gravestones.
These QR Codes are designed to connect visitors at the cemetery to online memorials of the deceased.
Bonus: How to create, track, and manage engraved QR Codes with Uniqode’s QR Code generator
To fully utilize the merits of engraving QR Codes into your designs and use cases, you have got to make sure that the QR Codes are trackable.
Dynamic QR Codes help you to track and manage the performance of the QR Codes, assess their impact on business, and strategize future QR Code campaigns accordingly.
Moreover, dynamic QR Codes mean you can change the destination URL of the QR Codes at any time without having to re-engrave or update the already deployed QR Codes.
1. Create your QR Code before you engrave it
Creating a custom QR Code has never been easier than it is with Uniqode’s QR Code generator.
All you have to do is visit the website and choose your preferred QR Code campaign type. Then, input the relevant details, whether a URL, PDF, or audio file.
Next, you can customize your QR Code with a logo, color, shape, and frame. After that, download the QR Code and engrave it per your use case.
2. Track your QR Code with ease
When it comes to QR Codes, dynamic QR Codes offer a powerful advantage over free, static ones.
With dynamic QR Codes, you can track customer engagement and gather valuable insights into how customers interact with your marketing materials.
Such information can be beneficial in optimizing your marketing campaigns and tailoring them to the interests and needs of your customers.
For instance, by engraving a dynamic QR Code on a public wall, you can track the number of scans, the date and time of the scans, the device used, and even the geolocation of the scans.
Uniqode also offers a Google Analytics integration, which you can use to further analyze the end-user demographics and gain a deeper understanding of your audience.
3. Change the destination URL on dynamic QR Codes
You cannot change a QR Code design once engraved. However, you can edit and modify the QR Code destination with ease.
With dynamic QR Codes, you can change the destination URL of the QR Code even after it is engraved to update destination content.
This is especially useful for running a business with time-limited promotions or events. You can easily update the QR Code to direct customers to the appropriate content or information.
Best practices for engraving your QR Codes
Now that you’ve explored the versatility of dynamic QR Codes, let’s dive into some tips to ensure their success.
1. Keep it simple
For engraved QR Codes, keeping it simple is important for its scannability.
The idea is to engrave the QR Codes precisely as generated, and complicated designs could mess with the clarity when engraved on hard surfaces.
The QR Codes should be big enough, and the engraving should be clear so a mobile device can easily scan it. Before using the QR Code, it’s important to test it thoroughly to ensure it works properly and takes the end-user to the intended destination.
2. Correct placement
It’s important to ensure the QR Code is placed in a prominent location where customers can easily scan it.
Correct placement might mean putting up the QR Code at eye level or in a location where customers are likely to stop and take notice.
For example, engrave a large QR Code at the cafe entrance or on a wooden table at a restaurant. Easy to find, easy to scan.
3. Clear and actionable call-to-actions (CTAs)
When customers scan a QR Code, it’s important to give them clear, actionable CTAs that are short, clear, and focused on your audience.
Examples of clear CTAs could be “Scan now for exclusive offers” or “Scan to avail discount.”
You can also enhance the impact of the CTA further by offering an incentive such as a free trial, or a chance to win a prize by scanning the QR Code.
4. Be creative and engaging
Feel free to experiment with different engraving materials, colors, and shapes to create a unique, attention-grabbing QR Code.
For instance, personalizing QR Codes with a customer’s name or other unique identifiers can create a sense of exclusivity, build brand loyalty, and drive sales.
Final thoughts
Engraved QR Codes are a fun and creative way to enhance your marketing collateral and engage customers in new and exciting ways.
Whether using them as your restaurant menus on wood, or personalizing name plates, QR Code engraving offers endless possibilities for businesses to stand out.
So go ahead and start experimenting with engraved QR Codes today. Watch your marketing materials come to life with the power of interactive, engaging QR Codes.
Sign up now to unlock the full potential of our QR Code solutions with a free 14-day trial.
Frequently asked questions
1. Can QR Codes be engraved?
Yes, QR Codes can be easily engraved. You can create a personalized QR Code using Uniqode’s QR Code generator. It also offers customization options like custom colors, designs, and logos.
2. How do I get a personalized QR Code?
You can create a personalized QR Code on the Uniqode QR Code generator. Customize your QR Code color, shape, frame, background, and logo.
3. Can a QR Code be embroidered?
Yes, QR Codes can be embroidered onto fabric materials like clothing or bags. Just ensure that the QR Code is legible and accurate.
4. Can a static QR Code engraved on wood be hard to amend?
Static QR Codes are permanent, and you cannot amend them later. The solution for such use cases is dynamic QR Codes that allow you to make changes, track, and edit them later.
5. Do laser engraved QR Codes work?
Yes, laser-engraved QR Codes can work well like any other engraving method. The key is to ensure the QR Code is clear enough for people to scan easily and that the lines of the QR Code are thick enough for the QR Code scanner to read.
Nida is a marketing professional with a flair for storytelling. She expertly combines her analytical skills with her creative talents to craft compelling narratives around QR Codes, helping businesses unlock their full potential. When she’s not busy at work, Nida indulges her love for fiction and unleashes her artistic side as a poet and pastel artist.
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