GS1 US Sunrise 2027. The industry goal for US retail point-of-sale scanners to read 2D barcodes by the end of 2027. Read the guide

GS1 Digital Link QR codes for small product makers

If you sell games, candles, cosmetics or food with a GS1 US barcode, enter the GTIN. You get a GS1 Digital Link QR code to print next to your UPC, and a hosted link you can change later.

To check existing packaging artwork for barcode size and placement, use the packaging checker. Files are processed in your browser and are not uploaded.

Example print file: a linear barcode with a GS1 Digital Link QR code 4 mm to its right — **Figure 1.** Example print file: linear barcode and GS1 Digital Link QR code, 4 mm apart, 1:1 scale.

Table 1. Print file specification
Symbols	UPC-A or EAN-13, and GS1 Digital Link QR code (ISO/IEC 18004)
QR data	https://dlcode.org/01/{GTIN-14}[/10/{lot}]
QR module size	0.495 mm
QR quiet zone	4 modules on each side, included in the file
Linear barcode	100% magnification (0.33 mm X-dimension)
Gap between symbols	4 mm
File	SVG, vector, 1:1 scale, black on white
Check digit	Validated before the file is made

1How a GS1 Digital Link code works

A GS1 Digital Link QR code contains a web address (URI) with your GTIN in a standard structure. Point-of-sale software reads the GTIN from the path without contacting a server. A phone camera opens the URI in a browser. The domain in the code must stay online for as long as the packaging is in use.

https://dlcode.org/01/09506000134352/10/24B

Table 2. Parts of a GS1 Digital Link URI
Segment	Value	Meaning
Resolver domain	https://dlcode.org	Operated by DLCode. Hosting is included through December 31, 2030.
Application Identifier	01	GS1 AI for a GTIN.
GTIN	09506000134352	Your GTIN, padded to 14 digits. Check digit validated.
Application Identifier	10	GS1 AI for a batch or lot number. Optional.
Lot	24B	Lets you recall one lot instead of the whole product.

Steps

Enter your GTIN.Enter the 12-digit UPC or 13-digit EAN printed under your barcode. DLCode validates the check digit. To add many products, upload a Shopify products CSV export. DLCode makes one code for each variant that has a barcode.
Download the SVG.One vector file with the linear barcode and the QR code at the dimensions in Table 1. Place it in your packaging artwork at 100% scale. Do not resize, recolor or outline it.
Set the destination.Send scans to your product page, a page for each country, a PDF, or a product page hosted by DLCode. You can change the destination at any time without reprinting.

2Lot-level recalls

Mark a product, or specific lots, as recalled. From the next scan, people holding an affected lot see your recall notice, the reason, and your instructions. Scans of other lots still open your normal destination. Redirects are not cached, so the change takes effect on the next scan.

Table 3. Example recall state for demo GTIN 09506000134352
Lot	Status	What a scan shows
24B	Recalled	Recall notice: "Do not drink. Return it to the store for a full refund."
25A	Normal	Product page

QR code for the live recall demo, lot 24B

Live demo: lot 24B

Demo GTIN 09506000134352, lot 24B, recall active. Scan the code or open the URL.

A notice on the scan page supplements your recall process. It does not replace notification to FDA or USDA FSIS, to retailers or to consumers. The FDA Food Traceability Rule (FSMA 204) requires lot-level traceability records for foods on the Food Traceability List.

3Resolver conformance

DLCode resolves GS1 Digital Link URIs as described in the GS1-Conformant Resolver standard. Checkout software, apps and retailer systems can read the codes without an account with us. You can check each item below yourself.

Table 4. Resolver behavior
Behavior	How to check
Resolver description file	/.well-known/gs1resolver
Linkset JSON (RFC 9264) with the GS1 linkset context	/01/09506000134352?linkType=linkset, or send `Accept: application/linkset+json`
`Link` header on every response points to the linkset	curl -I https://dlcode.org/01/09506000134352
Link types from the GS1 Web Vocabulary	?linkType=gs1:pip
Lot qualifier (AI 10)	/01/09506000134352/10/24B
Country routing	?context=CA, or the country of the request
Temporary redirect (HTTP 307) with `Cache-Control: no-store`	curl -I on any code
GTIN-8, -12, -13 and -14 accepted, padded to 14 digits, check digit validated. Invalid URIs return HTTP 400.	/01/12345

curl -H "Accept: application/linkset+json" https://dlcode.org/01/09506000134352

Primary key supported: GTIN (AI 01). Conformance is self-assessed against the published standard. DLCode is an independent company. It is not affiliated with, certified by or endorsed by GS1.

4Comparison with other QR code options

Enterprise label and serialization platforms do more than DLCode, including label design, ERP integration and serialization. DLCode does one job: the GS1 Digital Link code and its resolver, for brands that do not need a platform.

Table 5. Feature comparison. See the full comparison for named tools.
Capability	General QR generator	DLCode	Enterprise label platform
Encodes the GTIN in GS1 Digital Link syntax	No	Yes	Yes
Change the destination without reprinting	Usually a paid plan	Yes	Yes
Recall notice for one lot	No	Yes	Yes
Destination per country	No	Yes	Yes
QR code and linear barcode sized for point of sale	No	Yes	Yes
Price	$0	$249 one-time for 25 products, hosted through 2030	Annual contract, quoted

5Pricing

Packs are one-time payments. Each pack includes hosting and unlimited scans for its products through December 31, 2030. There is no automatic renewal.

Table 6. Fee schedule
Plan	Products	Price (USD)	Per product	Includes
Free 3 products. Print files without a watermark that do not expire. Scans open a product page hosted by DLCode.	3	$0	No card required	Print files, product page hosted by DLCode	Start free
25 products For a product line with several sizes or flavors.	25	$249	$9.96	Your own destination URLs, lot codes, lot-level recalls, country routing, Shopify CSV import	Buy pack
100 products For a full catalog, or products sold in several countries.	100	$499	$4.99	Your own destination URLs, lot codes, lot-level recalls, country routing, Shopify CSV import	Buy pack
1,000 products For co-packers, distributors and agencies.	1,000	$1,490	$1.49	Your own destination URLs, lot codes, lot-level recalls, country routing, Shopify CSV import	Buy pack

To move to a larger pack, you pay the difference between the two packs.

After December 31, 2030, hosting renews at $29 a year for any pack size. If you do not renew, each code continues to open a basic page with the product name and brand.

6Frequently asked questions

Questions before you print: hello@dlcode.org.

Do I need a GTIN from GS1?

Yes. The QR code contains your GTIN, and retailers check it against the GS1 registry. In the US, GS1 US sells a single GTIN for $30 one-time, or a 10-product company prefix for $250 plus $50 a year. GTINs bought from resellers are licensed to the original company prefix holder. Retailers that check the GS1 registry can reject them.

Can I remove the UPC after I add the QR code?

Not yet. Many point-of-sale scanners are laser scanners that cannot read 2D codes. During the transition, GS1 recommends that you print both, with the 2D code within 50 mm of the linear barcode. The DLCode file uses this layout.

What does the free plan include?

3 products, print files without a watermark, no card, no scan limit and no expiry date. Scans open a product page hosted by DLCode. Paid packs add your own destination URLs, lot codes, lot-level recalls, country routing and Shopify CSV import.

What happens after December 31, 2030?

After December 31, 2030, hosting renews at $29 a year for any pack size. If you do not renew, each code continues to open a basic page with the product name and brand.

Can the QR code use my own domain instead of dlcode.org?

Codes use dlcode.org by default. This domain is used only for GS1 Digital Link resolution. If you need your own domain in the QR code, contact hello@dlcode.org before you print.

Is DLCode part of GS1?

No. DLCode is operated by Coastal Sunbeam LLC, an independent US company. It implements the public GS1 Digital Link and GS1-Conformant Resolver standards. GS1 has not certified or endorsed DLCode. Your GTINs still come from GS1.

Why not use a general QR code generator?

A general QR code contains a web address. A GS1 Digital Link QR code contains your GTIN in a structure that point-of-sale software can read, so the register can identify the product. Many general generators encode their own short-link domain. If that service stops or you end the plan, the printed code stops working.

What should I check before I print?

Confirm that the GTIN is licensed to your company in GS1 US Data Hub. Print a proof at 100% scale. Ask your printer to verify both symbols (ISO/IEC 15416 for the linear barcode, ISO/IEC 15415 for the QR code). Scan the proof with a phone camera and with a 2D scanner. Use the SVG as supplied.

Create your first 3 codes free. No card required. Print files do not expire.

Start free Read the Sunrise 2027 guide