This is a repost of an article and video we did for our friends at Impressions. See the original article here.
Quick Response codes, or QR codes, have evolved as a popular and efficient way for businesses to interact with customers. Learn how simple they are to include in your promotional strategy. They are easy to create and perfect for screen printing.
How does a QR code work? This type of code is a black and white image with an encoded URL that acts as a barcode. These barcodes can be scanned and read by mobile devices (smart phones) and provide instant information — usually promotional in nature.
Creating a QR Code
Generating a QR code is simple and can be accomplished in the following easy steps:
• Do a simple Google search for “QR code generator” and select one of the many sites available for creating QR codes. Most sites have a short, step-by-step process that you can follow.
• You will be prompted to enter the URL that you want associated with your QR code.
• Download the code image.
• Vectorize the code image in a program such as Adobe Illustrator or CorelDRAW. This sharpens the image, ensuring proper size and quality for your print.
• QR codes are great for the front image on a garment. They also are perfect to use for product details on tags or on the inside of garments.
Printing the QR Code
Print the QR code to a screen as you would any other image. Print the QR code image onto garments or promotional material. Be sure to use ink with a matte finish, as QR codes do not print well with reflective inks. Remember, there’s nothing wrong with getting creative and having fun with these easy-to-print, yet highly useful codes.
CPSIA- Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act
What, Why and When?
In 2008, the CPSC enacted a ruling limiting the Lead and Phthalate content in all Childrens’ products. They have defined these products as anything designed or intended primarily for children 12 years of age or younger. It is a response to the massive recalls issued in recent years due to of lead contamination, primarily from overseas toy manufacturers. This, in turn, impacted the garment industry as well. The act has created more stringent guidelines and tracking rules for any garment marketed to those 12 and under. At that time, Lead limits were set to be 100 ppm by 2011 and Phthalates DEHP, DBP, DINP, DIDP, DnOP and BBP were limited to less than .1 %.
In response many ink and embellishment manufacturers took it upon themselves to become compliant with the new regulations. Thus the Phthalate free plastisol inks were born along with child safe rhinestones and water base inks.
Now it is 2012 and regulations go into enforcement. What does this mean to you the garment embellisher? You are considered to be the manufacturer if you embellish the blank good in any way. This means you will be responsible for testing and tracking of said garments.
There are several new regulations and rules to navigate.
**You can find testing lab data, tracking label information and additional specifics for the new regulations at our Screen Printing Learning Library at: www.support.silkscreeningsupplies.com
Congrats again to our iPad winner Angela Meyer of Coast Tees! Hope you enjoy.