Question 1

Why do QR tags cost more than barcode tags?

Accepted Answer

The base 39 × 13 mm QR tag is KSh 55 against KSh 50 for barcode, and the area rate is KSh 8.60 per cm² against KSh 8.00. QR codes need higher print resolution and tighter tolerances to stay reliably scannable, particularly at small sizes. The difference is around 10%.

Question 2

Do we need to buy scanners for QR tags?

Accepted Answer

No, and that is the main reason organisations choose them. Any modern smartphone reads a QR code, so a branch manager, a ward officer or a project coordinator can verify an asset without you shipping hardware to every location. If you want dedicated scanners for speed, we supply those too.

Question 3

Which size works best for QR codes?

Accepted Answer

The 35 × 35 mm square at KSh 100. A QR code is square, so putting it on a rectangular tag wastes the space either side of it. If you need a rectangular tag for placement reasons, 50 × 30 mm at KSh 130 gives the code enough room to scan reliably.

Question 4

How much information can a QR tag hold?

Accepted Answer

Considerably more than a barcode, a QR code can carry a URL, so the tag can point directly at the asset's record in your system rather than just holding a number. In practice we recommend encoding the asset number plus a short URL, and keeping the human-readable number printed alongside it.

Question 5

Will a QR code still scan if part of the tag is scratched or dirty?

Accepted Answer

Usually yes. QR codes carry built-in error correction and will typically read with up to 30% of the code obscured, depending on the correction level we print at. That is a genuine advantage over a linear barcode, which fails if a single bar is damaged.

Question 6

Can we print both a QR code and a barcode on one tag?

Accepted Answer

Yes, on 50 × 30 mm or larger. It is a sensible hedge if you have existing barcode scanners but want to move toward phone-based verification. There is no extra charge, though both codes will be smaller than either would be alone.

Question 7

Does the tag need internet access to work?

Accepted Answer

Not to scan. The code itself holds the data. Internet is only needed if the QR code points to an online record and you want to open it. If your field sites have poor connectivity, encode the asset number directly rather than a URL.

Question 8

Can staff use their own phones to verify assets?

Accepted Answer

Yes, which is usually the point. Our web-based asset management software works in a phone browser, so verification is a login rather than an app install. Be aware that letting staff verify on personal devices is a policy decision as much as a technical one.

Question 9

Are QR tags more secure than barcode tags?

Accepted Answer

No. Neither is a security feature, both are identifiers, and either can be photographed or copied. If your concern is someone moving a tag between assets, the answer is tamper-evident tags, not a different code format.

Question 10

What resolution do you print the codes at?

Accepted Answer

High enough that the code scans reliably at the size ordered, verified on every production run. The practical limit is the 39 × 13 mm tag, where a QR code becomes tight, we will tell you if your data length is too long for the size you have chosen and recommend going up a size.

Tag type	From	Best for
Aluminium Barcode	KSh 50excl. VAT	general assets
Aluminium QR Code	KSh 55excl. VAT	QR workflows
Acetone-Activated	KSh 60excl. VAT	permanent bonds
Tamper-Evident	KSh 55excl. VAT	tamper evidence
Polyester / Vinyl Barcode	KSh 35excl. VAT	indoor assets

Up to 200	Same-day production
Up to 1,000	2 working days
Up to 5,000	3–5 working days
Over 5,000	Confirmed on quotation

Specification	Details
Material	Anodised aluminium
Thickness	0.5 mm
Finish	Brushed, satin or mirror
Colours	Silver, white, gold
Sizes	39 × 13, 50 × 20, 50 × 30, 35 × 35, 60 × 30 mm, custom to 300 × 200 mm
Operating temperature	-40°C to +120°C (-40°F to +248°F)
Chemical resistance	Good resistance to water, oils, common solvents and many industrial chemicals. Resistance varies with chemical concentration and exposure duration.
Expected outdoor life	9+ years under normal outdoor conditions, subject to UV exposure, chemical exposure, installation surface and the marking/adhesive system used.
Encoding	Code 128, Code 39, QR Code, Data Matrix
Minimum order	100 pieces

Size	Best for	Price per tag
39 × 13 mmAnchor price	Compact, laptops, small electronics, instruments	KSh 55 excl. VAT
50 × 20 mm	Most popular, general fixed assets	KSh 85 excl. VAT
50 × 30 mm	Larger barcode, easier scanning at distance	KSh 130 excl. VAT
35 × 35 mm	Square, best for QR codes	KSh 105 excl. VAT
60 × 30 mm	Maximum data, logo and text	KSh 155 excl. VAT

	Aluminium QR code	Aluminium barcode
From price (39 × 13 mm)	KSh 55 excl. VAT	KSh 50 excl. VAT
Hardware required	None, any smartphone	Barcode scanner
Data capacity	URL, asset number, text	Asset number
Scan speed per asset	Slightly slower on a phone	Fastest with a dedicated scanner
Best for	Distributed teams and audits	Central stores and stocktakes

Aluminium QR code asset tags