From Aotearoa’s thriving dairy and meat industries to electronics, healthcare and ready-to-eat meals, 2D barcodes are helping Kiwi businesses improve product visibility, reduce waste, and meet compliance requirements. Discover how GS1 2D barcodes are being used in your industry to enable smarter stock control, faster recalls, and safer consumer outcomes.
Looking for quick answers about GS1 2D barcodes? Find helpful info on common questions, like “What is a 2D barcode?”, “How do they work?”, “Which types exist?”, “What are the benefits?”, “How do I print them?”, and more.
2D barcodes might look like tiny, pixelated puzzles, but they function just like traditional barcodes, only smarter. Typically square or sometimes rectangular, they store data in tightly packed patterns of dots, allowing you to capture far more information than a 1D barcode ever could.
Like 1D barcodes, 2D barcodes are scanned to retrieve data. But instead of just a product number, 2D codes can hold extra information, like expiry dates, prices, serial numbers, GTINs, batch numbers, and even the grower or manufacturer’s ID. This richer data makes them especially powerful in retail and food traceability.
Yes. There are two main types you’ll come across:
The biggest benefit? 2D barcodes carry more data in less space. Plus, they can adapt to your supply chain needs. Whether you need improved traceability, food safety, faster recalls, or consumer transparency, 2D codes provide a smart, scalable solution.
Aside from the obvious (lines vs. squares), 2D barcodes hold more complex data and require camera-based scanners, unlike 1D barcodes which only hold basic product numbers and can be read with laser scanners. Both formats still require a quiet zone (white space) for proper scanning and follow GS1 global standards.
You can print 2D barcodes using a variety of methods, including laser coders, thermal transfer overprinters (TTO), and label printer applicators (LPA). The right choice depends on your product type, packaging format, and where the barcode will be applied.
Want to get started? It’s smart to talk to a coding and labelling expert like Reynolds early in your journey to ensure your codes are compliant and scan perfectly every time.