How to make QR code labels for your food storage

A QR code on a shelf or bucket turns a quick phone scan into an answer: what's on this shelf, what's in this bucket, and when it was packed. You don't need special equipment - any phone camera reads them, and any printer can make them.

Why QR codes instead of regular barcodes

• Every phone camera reads them, with no app needed.
• They can hold a link or a few lines of text, not just a number.
• They scan from an angle and still work when a corner is scuffed.

Decide what the code should hold

• A link to a page that lists what's there. The label never has to change - the list behind it does. Best for shelves and storage spots.
• Plain text, like "Pinto beans, 25 lb, packed Oct 2026". Works with no internet, but the label is out of date once you use some.

Choose a QR maker carefully

Many free QR code websites make dynamic codes: the code points at their service, which forwards to your link. If the service shuts down or starts charging, every label stops working. Look for a maker that creates static codes, where your link or text is stored in the code itself. Static codes work forever.

Size and printing

• At least ¾ inch (2 cm) square for scanning up close. A rough rule: a phone reads a code from about ten times its width, so a 1-inch code scans from about 10 inches away.
• Keep a white margin around the code - scanners need it to find the edges.
• Black on white. Light codes on dark backgrounds often won't scan.
• Test one with your phone before printing a whole sheet.

Labels that last

Where to stick them

• Shelves: on the front edge, where you can scan without moving anything.
• Buckets and bins: on the lid and the side, so they scan when stacked.
• Freezer baskets: on the basket, not the food, so the label stays put.