QR code labels for clothing and Digital Product Passport-ready data carriers – woven, printed or heat-transferred into your care labels, brand labels and hang tags, plus NFC and RFID options. As the label manufacturer, we test every code on your actual material so it keeps scanning wash after wash.
Why a QR code belongs on the garment
A printed label has limited space; a QR code opens unlimited space. With one scan, a customer can see detailed care instructions, the story of the fabric, repair and resale options or the full size chart, in their own language. Brands use the same code for authenticity checks, product registration and loyalty programmes. And under new EU product rules, a data carrier on the product is set to become the link to its Digital Product Passport.
The Digital Product Passport in brief
The Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation, Regulation (EU) 2024/1781 (ESPR), entered into force in July 2024. It enables the European Commission to adopt product-specific requirements through delegated acts, including a Digital Product Passport (DPP) – a digital record of the product accessed through a data carrier on the product itself. Textiles and apparel are among the priority product groups in the Commission’s ESPR working plan for 2025–2030.
According to current Commission indications, the delegated act for textiles is planned for adoption around the fourth quarter of 2027, with application expected some time later – commonly estimated at roughly 18 months, so not before 2028–2029. The precise data fields, carrier rules and dates are still being defined, so please check official sources before making compliance decisions. What is already clear is that the passport will be reached through a data carrier, most likely a QR code, which must stay readable for the life of the product. That makes it a labelling task you can plan now.
Data carrier options
| Carrier | How it is read | Strengths | Typical placement |
|---|---|---|---|
| QR code | Any smartphone camera | Practically no extra cost per piece, woven, printed or transferred | Care label, brand label, heat transfer, hang tag |
| NFC tag | Phone tapped against the label | Invisible from outside, premium experience | Sealed in woven labels, hang tags or patches |
| RFID (UHF) tag | Reader at distance, many items at once | Stock counts, logistics, anti-theft | Hang tags, sewn-in labels |
Carriers can be combined: an RFID tag can hold the same product identifier as the QR code, so one ID serves both your supply chain and the passport. For NFC and RFID, wash resistance depends on how the chip is encapsulated, and we advise on the right construction for each garment.
GS1 Digital Link
A future-proof way to build your QR code is GS1 Digital Link. The code contains a web address structured around your GTIN – the number behind your EAN barcode – optionally with a batch or serial number. The same code can show consumer information on a phone, provide passport data to authorities and recyclers, and over time be scanned at retail checkouts. If your products already have GTINs, much of the groundwork is done.
What the passport may contain
The delegated act will set the final list. The ESPR framework and current discussions point towards:
- a unique product identifier and manufacturer or importer details;
- fibre composition and any substances of concern;
- care, repair and reuse guidance;
- durability and recycled-content information;
- sorting, end-of-life and recycling instructions;
- compliance documents and certificates.
The label holds the link, not the data. On-garment information that is mandatory today, such as fibre composition under Regulation (EU) No 1007/2011, continues to appear on the physical care label.
Choosing where the code lives
- Care label – the most natural home. It stays on the garment, is built to survive washing and already carries composition. Printed satin or tape gives the sharpest code.
- Woven label – exceptionally durable; thread resolution calls for larger modules, so plan a little more space. See woven labels.
- Heat transfer – permanent and tagless, a strong option for sportswear and babywear. See heat transfer labels.
- Hang tag or sticker – ideal for marketing content and in-store scans; since it is removed after purchase, pair it with a code on the garment for passport use. See hang tags.
QR code sizes by label technique
| Technique | Recommended module size (mm) | Typical code size (mm) |
|---|---|---|
| Printed satin or tape care label | 0.4–0.5 | 12 × 12 to 15 × 15 |
| Heat transfer | 0.5–0.6 | 15 × 15 to 20 × 20 |
| High-density woven label | 0.7–1.0 | 20 × 20 to 25 × 25 |
| Paper hang tag or sticker | 0.4–0.5 | 15 × 15 to 25 × 25 |
These figures assume a short URL of around 25–30 modules per side, plus a quiet zone of four modules on every side, which adds to the space required. GS1 guidance for retail QR codes gives a minimum module size of about 0.4 mm; fabric needs more margin than paper, which is why we size codes generously on textiles. Longer URLs mean more modules and a larger code, so a short, stable link is always the best start. For full label dimensions see our label size guide.
Making codes last through the wash
A code that fades after a few washes defeats its purpose. We test QR codes on the chosen base material after washing and check contrast and quiet zone. Our design rules are simple: dark code on a light background, nothing inside the quiet zone, and error correction level M or Q so the code tolerates minor wear. Materials are OEKO-TEX certified, and recycled GRS options are available for the label base.
How we help you get ready
- Send your label type, fabric and the data you want to link – a URL list or your GTIN file.
- We generate the codes, including serialised codes per item where needed, and combine them with composition and care symbols in one layout.
- You receive a digital proof, typically within 24–48 hours.
- We produce samples and run scan tests on your material on request.
- Production typically takes 10–20 working days after approval, with delivery across the EU.
Minimums usually start at 1,000 pieces per design – ask us how to split serialised runs across articles.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a Digital Product Passport for my clothing today?
Not yet. The textile delegated act under the ESPR is expected around late 2027, with obligations applying some time after that. Adding QR codes now lets you test the technology and content in advance.
Can a QR code be woven into a label?
Yes. Woven QR codes are very durable but need larger modules, so the code is typically 20 to 25 mm across, plus the quiet zone.
Which label is the best place for a passport QR code?
The care label, because it stays on the garment for its whole life and already holds composition and care data. Hang tags are removed after purchase.
Can every garment have its own unique code?
Yes. We can print serialised codes from your data file, for example GTIN plus serial number in GS1 Digital Link format.
Do I need special software to create the codes?
No. Send us your URLs or GTIN list and we generate print-ready codes and check that they scan on the finished label.
Planning QR codes or preparing for the textile passport? Contact us at [email protected], WhatsApp/Viber +359 876 766 050, or via our contact page.