Form Factor

Form factor is a term that refers to the physical shape, size, and form of a product or component. It is used when products with the same function differ in physical form, as with smartphone form factors (foldable, bar, slider) and SSD form factors (2.5-inch, M.2, NVMe).

QR codes are deployed in a surprisingly wide variety of form factors. Paper stickers and labels are the most common. However, QR codes are realized with every kind of material and technique, ranging from direct laser engraving on metal, UV printing on acrylic sheets, embroidery on fabric, edible ink printing on food, stamping into concrete, and projection onto sandy beaches to drone formation displays in the air.

The choice of form factor depends on the use and the environment. For short-term indoor displays, paper stickers; for long-term outdoor displays, weather-resistant labels or laser engraving; for food packaging, ink that meets food safety standards; and for digital displays, the screens of smartphones or digital signage.

QR codes shown on screens require attention to screen brightness, reflections, and update frequency. A QR code displayed on a smartphone screen becomes harder to read when the screen brightness is low. With digital signage, interference between the screen's refresh rate and the scanner's shutter speed can produce striped patterns that make reading difficult.