Durability

The durability of a QR code is the ability of a printed QR code to withstand the passage of time and environmental factors (ultraviolet light, moisture, friction, temperature changes, chemicals) and remain readable. Indoor business cards and flyers are fine for several years, but in harsh environments such as outdoor signs, equipment labels in factories, and food packaging, designing for durability is essential.

There are three factors that determine durability. The first is the material. Paper labels are vulnerable to water and friction, but polyester and polypropylene labels have excellent water resistance / chemical resistance. Direct laser marking on metal or ceramic offers the highest durability and is used for automotive parts and medical devices.

The second is the printing method. Inkjet printing is easy but has poor weather resistance. Laser marking, thermal transfer printing, and UV-cured ink are highly durable and suited to industrial applications. The third is the error correction level. If you choose level H (30% restoration), the QR code can still be read even if part of it deteriorates. Level H is recommended for outdoor use and harsh environments.

As a practical guideline, ordinary paper printing + lamination is suitable for indoor displays (1 to 3 years), UV-blocking lamination + weather-resistant ink for outdoor displays (3 to 5 years), and laser marking or ceramic printing for industrial applications (10 years or more).