Important notes on printing QR codes
To ensure that the QR codes can be scanned reliably worldwide, the following points should be observed:
Size & legibility
- The recommended minimum size is 1 cm x 1 cm (ISO standard 18004).
- A QR code that is too small cannot be recognized by some scanners.
Contrast & padding
- A high contrast between code and background improves scannability.
- Dark QR codes on a light background are ideal, as some scanners do not recognize light codes on a dark background.
- The QR code requires a free margin (padding), at least 1/8 of the code size, to ensure reliable recognition.
Print material & surface
- Smooth surfaces allow smaller QR codes, while rough or uneven materials require larger codes.
- Shiny materials can create reflections that make scanning more difficult.
Printing method & color selection
- Flexographic printing is less precise - larger QR codes are required to avoid blurring.
- Lithography and gravure printing enable more precise, even smaller QR codes.
- A minimum contrast ratio of 4:1 between code and background is recommended.
Error correction & logo integration
- The QR codes have an error correction function that compensates for slight damage.
- There are four levels (L, M, Q, H), whereby level H can reconstruct up to 30 % of the code.
- Logos or design elements in the QR code reduce the error correction - which is why we at E-Label.online do not use them to ensure optimum readability.
Please test the new QR codes with your print shop before using them on a large scale.
13.03.2025 New, compact QR codes available!
By popular demand, we now offer smaller QR codes that are more suitable for printing on challenging labels. These new QR codes are available in the download files and are marked with the prefix "short-" (e.g. short-dornfelder.svg).
The shortened URL makes the QR code less complex and easier to process in various printing processes. The original URL to the QR code remains valid, as the new, short variant automatically redirects to the old URL.
Comparison of the URLs:
Old:https://e-label.online/show/product/6c479ca622d2c9bad6f1667b874bf3399f41791f93c81942e6aebc3873de5726
New:https://e-label.online/show/ps/4ldqpgq (automatically redirects to the old link)
To test pre-captured QR codes, you must first enter dummy data for your product and click on "Publish". Only then can you test the QR code. If necessary, this dummy data can be changed at any time. After testing, you can simply reset your product to the"Unpublished" status. As soon as you have received the data from the wine laboratory, you can easily update the information and finally publish it.
Unfortunately not, the activation must be carried out manually by us. This usually takes 1-2 days. If you want it to be faster, simply call us on 0170 555 6009 (Dirk Wohlrabe).
After activation, you can create your wines directly. You will receive the invoice with the transfer information by e-mail via our payment provider STRIPE.
On the right you can see an example of what our e-mail and the corresponding invoice look like.
Dear Sir or Madam,
We are a printing company and print (many) labels, among other things.
We receive QR codes from our customers that work, by which I mean that content appears when scanned.
A new customer now provides us with QR codes that have not yet been published/pre-entered.
What happens to the code if the customer makes changes or additions after the labels have been printed
and only then publishes the code?
Answer:
It always remains the same QR code, regardless of what is stored behind the code. All stored data can be changed.
For example, if a Trollinger code is incorrectly printed as Silvaner, the customer can rewrite the data behind this QR code and rename the product as Silvaner.
Carbohydrates in wine are made up of the residual sugar and the glycerine content. According to the EU definition, the term "carbohydrates" also includes polyhydric alcohols such as glycerol.
Calculation of the glycerol content:
- For wines up to the "Auslese" quality level, the glycerol content is assumed to be 8 g/l.
- From the "Beerenauslese" level onwards, the glycerine content is 25 g/l.
Example 1: Quality wine
Assume that a quality wine has 4 grams of residual sugar per liter.
- Glycerol content: 8 g/l (i.e. 0.8 g per 100 ml).
- Carbohydrates: The total amount of carbohydrates results from the sum of residual sugar and glycerine:
- 0.4 g residual sugar + 0.8 g glycerol = 1.2 g carbohydrates per 100 ml.
- The sugar content corresponds to the residual sugar, i.e. 0.4 g per 100 ml.
Example 2: Beerenauslese
Assume a wine of the "Beerenauslese" level has 9 grams of residual sugar per liter.
- Glycerol content: 25 g/l (i.e. 2.5 g per 100 ml).
- Carbohydrates: The total amount of carbohydrates results from:
- 0.9 g residual sugar + 2.5 g glycerol = 3.4 g carbohydrates per 100 ml.
- The sugar content corresponds to the residual sugar, i.e. 0.9 g per 100 ml.
Note for aromatized wines: For aromatized wines, it is advisable to have an analysis carried out by a food laboratory in order to obtain exact values.
In general, you should also ask your laboratory to break down / specify the carbohydrates for the analysis.
We output the QR code as a URL. When you download the QR code, a URL file is included, which you can click on and land directly on your published label.
Our digital wine labels (e-labels) do not collect any data, so it is not necessary to file a GDPR. It was a basic requirement of the EU that no personal data is collected when retrieving the e-labels.
Question:
If I understand correctly, when using your platform, I would use a single QR code that would take the customer to a list where they can select the wine to view the nutritional table and other information. Is this correct or have I misunderstood something?
Answer:
First you create all the wines and each wine gets its own QR code, which is then printed on the label of the bottle. Once the individual products have been created, you can create a scan group that is provided with a QR code. You assign the individual wines to this scan group.
This collective QR code can be used for price lists, flyers or brochures, for example, but not on the bottle label.
The 12-month term begins with the payment of the selected e-label subscription. If you have taken out the subscription on 15.12.2024, you will receive the invoice for the selected e-label subscription again one year later on 15.12.2025. The subscription can be canceled at any time and the e-labels are retained after cancellation. It is also possible to set up a forwarding that shows a link to your new e-label provider with the wine label. This means you never lose the necessary e-label for your wine. This forwarding service costs 20 euros per year. If the forwarding service is no longer required, e.g. because the product is no longer on the market, this fee can simply be canceled by e-mail.
As of this year, all flavors, products, preservatives, ingredients and descriptions you create can be automatically translated in the e-label software. To do this, use the translation button on the far right of the field.
The following information is mandatory:
- The wine must be clearly identifiable, including the wine label and optionally a picture.
- Nutritional information per 100 ml, including energy content in kj and kcal
this information must also appear on the bottle label). - Information on carbohydrates and sugar in grams.
- Information on fat, unsaturated fatty acids, salt and protein, which can be presented either in tabular form or as text such as "Contains negligible amounts of fat, saturated fatty acids, protein and salt".
- The complete list of ingredients with the ingredients to be declared in accordance with EU directives.
- Allergens must be declared.
- Recycling details are also required for export to Italy.
Additional details such as grape varieties, quality and logos are optional, but can further enhance the appeal of your wines.
The use of QR codes on wine labels offers a number of advantages:
Quick access to information: Consumers can instantly access comprehensive information about the wine by simply scanning the QR code, without the hassle of searching for details on the label.
Transparent labeling: QR codes allow winemakers to provide detailed information such as nutritional information, ingredient list, allergens and more without cluttering the label. This promotes transparency and consumer trust.
Storytelling and brand communication: Winemakers can use the QR code to share the story behind the wine, information about the grape variety, cultivation and production methods and other interesting details that enrich the brand experience.
Environmental friendliness: The use of QR codes eliminates the need for detailed written information on the label, saving resources and being more environmentally friendly.
Customizationand updating: Information provided via the QR code can be easily updated without the need to change physical labels. This enables flexible adaptation to changing requirements or new legal regulations.
Customer interaction: The QR code promotes interaction with customers. For example, winemakers can link to events, tastings or virtual tours to strengthen the connection.
Overall, QR codes offer a modern and effective way to provide added value to consumers while optimizing wine presentation.
To ensure that our e-labels comply with the applicable regulations and present your wine in the best possible way, the following specific requirements must be observed:
Language: The mandatory information on the e-labels must be written in a language easily understood by the consumer. We recommend using an EU language such as German. With our E-Label.online platform, we also offer you a user-friendly translation function in 24 languages.
No marketing content: According to the EU regulation, it is expressly forbidden to place marketing content or sales promotions on the e-label itself. Therefore, your e-labels should be hosted separately from your website and online store.
No user tracking: To ensure the highest level of data protection, comprehensive tracking of users, for example through cookies for tools such as Google Analytics, is not permitted. We guarantee that no tracking or tracing takes place on our website. So you can be sure that you are always acting in accordance with EU data protection regulations.
Unlimited validity: Your e-label must remain online as long as your product is on the market. Our service offers a standard term of 20 years, which can be extended on request.
One e-label per vintage: A new e-label is required for each new wine with different laboratory values or a different list of ingredients.
Recycling: There is currently an obligation to include recycling information in Italy, France and Bulgaria for all producers who supply or sell to these countries. With E-label.online, this information is already available in the respective languages, so you can easily export to these countries, supported by our e-labels.
Of course, it is possible to downgrade if your label requirements change.
If you need 40 labels this year and only 20 next year, you can adjust your subscription accordingly. The 40 labels already paid for will be valid for the current year and the subscription for 20 labels will then be taken into account for the coming year.
It is important to note that a downgrade is not possible within the current year, as the subscription period is 12 months.
It works in the same way for upgrades, where any money already paid is taken into account.
We offer you maximum flexibility for your label requirements. If you need additional labels, you are free to upgrade to a larger subscription at any time.
The labels you have already paid for will be seamlessly integrated into the larger subscription package and credited accordingly. This allows you to adjust the number of labels to your changing needs without incurring financial losses. We are committed to providing you with a service-oriented and adaptable framework for your labeling needs.
With us, the QR code is dynamic, which means that the stored data can be changed at any time. To make this process even easier, we have developed the "Pre-enter product" function. With this function, you can generate new QR codes in seconds and forward them directly to your print shop. The actual data, which must be coordinated with the wine laboratory, can also be easily entered after the wine data has been received. The QR code remains the same for the respective product. The only modification option is to adjust the retrieved data via the QR code as required. This flexible solution allows you to update the information on the labels quickly and easily without having to regenerate the QR code each time.
In our continuous effort to optimize our e-label software, we are pleased to announce that we now offer the possibility to create so-called scan groups for e-labels. This innovative feature opens up new possibilities, especially for the management of QR codes in catalogs, price lists and web stores.
Now you can generate a single QR code for your price list. Once customers scan this code, they are redirected to a comprehensive list of your wines. Here they have the option to view each wine individually without having to use multiple QR codes for each wine. This makes handling your price information more efficient and convenient.
This new feature not only provides a user-friendly experience for your customers, but also allows you to react more flexibly to changes in your pricing
Dear customer, yes you can simply copy and paste your list of ingredients or the one from the wine laboratory.
If you want to mark a wine ingredient in bold, simply use double asterisks **hereis the bold text**.
You can also use the button on the right to have your list of ingredients automatically translated into 20 EU languages.
You can simply delete the ingredients you do not need by clicking on the trash can symbol.
Our top priority is to ensure that you are satisfied with our service and are successful in your business. However, we recognize that occasionally there may be uncertainties that mean you as a customer may not be completely satisfied or may even have to go out of business.
In response to these challenges, we at E-Label.online have developed the E-Label Referral Service.
E-LABEL forwarding service = 20 Euro/year
With the e-label forwarding service, you can keep your e-labels online by paying just 20 euros per year. This allows you to set up redirects to other e-label providers. This means that a customer who scans your QR code on the bottle will be redirected to supplier XY with the new e-label. As soon as the products have disappeared from the market, you have the option of canceling this redirection service. Alternatively, you can also cancel without this redirection service, which means that the wines will still be available in stores but will no longer be available online.
The imprint data is entered under the navigation point “Settings”. There you will also find many other configuration options.
