QR Code & Digital Product Passport Labels
Labels with QR codes ready for the EU Digital Product Passport – on care labels, tags and transfers.
- Own productionLabel production in Bulgaria
- 10–20 daysAfter approval
- Proof in 24–48 hExpress design
- OEKO-TEX & GRSRecycled options
- From 1,000 pcsPer design
Materials for this label type
- Satin
- Taffeta
- Non-fray synthetic paper
- Kraft & coated board
Why textile brands are adding QR codes now
The Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation, Regulation (EU) 2024/1781 (ESPR), entered into force in July 2024. It allows the European Commission to set product-specific requirements through delegated acts, including a Digital Product Passport (DPP): a digital record of a product, reached through a data carrier on the product itself. Textiles and apparel are among the first priority groups in the Commission's ESPR working plan for 2025–2030.
At the time of writing, the Commission indicates that the delegated act for textiles is planned for adoption around the fourth quarter of 2027, with guidance and technical specifications to follow. The obligation itself is expected to apply some time after adoption — commonly estimated at around 18 months, so not before 2028–2029 — and the exact data requirements, data carrier rules and dates are still to be decided. We will update this page as the legislation develops; please check the official sources before making compliance decisions.
What is already clear: the passport will be linked to the product through a data carrier, typically a QR code, and that carrier will have to remain readable for the product's life. That is a label question — and something you can plan for today.
Data carriers
QR codes
The most likely default. A QR code can be woven, printed or heat-transferred, read with any smartphone, and costs almost nothing extra per piece. We recommend encoding a short, stable URL rather than long text so the symbol stays small and robust.
NFC tags
Small chips that a phone reads by touch. They can be sealed into a woven label, a hang tag or a patch, and keep the outside design clean. Wash resistance depends on the tag encapsulation.
RFID (UHF) tags
Used mainly in supply chain and retail for stock counts and anti-theft. RFID can carry the same identifier as the QR code, so one product ID serves both logistics and the passport.
GS1 Digital Link
A practical way to future-proof a QR code is GS1 Digital Link: the code holds a web address built around your product's GTIN (the number behind your EAN barcode), optionally with batch or serial number. One code can open consumer information on a phone, deliver the passport data to authorities or recyclers, and in time be scanned at the checkout. If you already have GTINs, you are halfway there.
What a textile passport may contain
The final list will be set in the delegated act, but discussions and the ESPR framework point towards information such as:
- unique product identifier and manufacturer/importer details;
- fibre composition and substances of concern;
- care, repair and reuse instructions;
- durability and recycled-content information;
- end-of-life, sorting and recycling guidance;
- compliance documents and certificates.
The physical label does not have to hold this data — it holds the link. Mandatory on-garment information, such as fibre composition under Regulation (EU) No 1007/2011, still has to appear on the label itself; see our EU care label guide.
Where to place the code
- Care label — the natural home: it stays on the garment, is already expected to survive washing and sits next to composition data. Printed satin or tape gives the sharpest QR.
- Woven label — a woven QR code is extremely durable; it needs a larger module size because of thread resolution, so allow more space.
- Heat transfer — permanent and tagless; ideal for sportswear and babywear.
- Hang tag — good for marketing content and point-of-sale scans, but removed after purchase, so it should not be the only carrier for a passport.
Durability through washes
A code that fades after ten washes fails its purpose. We test QR codes on the chosen base material after washing and check contrast and quiet zone: dark code on a light background, no logo inside the quiet zone, and an error-correction level (M or Q) that tolerates minor wear.
QR code size guidance
| Label technique | Recommended module size (mm) | Typical QR print size (mm) |
|---|---|---|
| Printed satin / tape care label | 0.4–0.5 | 12×12 to 15×15 |
| Heat transfer | 0.5–0.6 | 15×15 to 20×20 |
| Woven label (high-density) | 0.7–1.0 | 20×20 to 25×25 |
| Hang tag / sticker (paper) | 0.4–0.5 | 15×15 to 25×25 |
Sizes assume a short URL (around 25–30 modules per side) plus a quiet zone of four modules on every side, which adds to the label space needed. GS1 guidance for retail QR codes gives a minimum module size of about 0.4 mm; textile surfaces need more margin than paper, which is why we recommend larger codes on fabric. Longer URLs mean more modules and a bigger code. Check our label size guide for full label dimensions.
How we help you prepare
As the manufacturer, we can test which technique gives a reliable scan on your fabric, generate codes from your GTIN list or URL file, print serialised codes per item if needed, and combine the code with composition and care symbols in one layout. Our designers deliver a proof typically within 24–48 hours. Our minimum is usually 1,000 pcs per design, samples are available on request, and production typically takes 10–20 working days after approval.
Planning QR codes on your labels or preparing for the textile passport? Send us your label type and data, and we will test a scannable layout. Request a quote.
Frequently asked questions
When will the Digital Product Passport be mandatory for textiles?
Not yet. The European Commission indicates that the ESPR delegated act for textiles is planned for adoption around late 2027, and the obligation is expected to apply some time after that, commonly estimated at around 18 months. Exact dates and requirements are still to be decided.
Which data carrier will the textile passport use?
The ESPR requires a data carrier on the product linked to the passport. A QR code is the most likely default; NFC and RFID are also being discussed. The textile delegated act will specify the rules.
How small can a QR code on a label be?
On printed fabric labels we recommend a module size of at least about 0.4 to 0.5 mm, giving a code of roughly 12 to 15 mm plus a quiet zone. Woven QR codes need larger modules, typically 20 to 25 mm overall.
Will a QR code on a care label survive washing?
Yes, if the material and technique are chosen correctly. We test the code on the chosen base material after washing and use sufficient contrast, quiet zone and error correction.
What is GS1 Digital Link?
GS1 Digital Link is a standard for QR codes that contain a web address built around your product's GTIN. One code can serve consumer information, passport data and, over time, retail scanning.
Get a price for QR & DPP labels
Tell us what you need. We reply within 24 h on working days with a price and a recommendation.
Tell us about your labels
Send the label type, size, quantity and your deadline. We usually reply within one working day with a price and a recommendation.
- Usual MOQ 1,000 pcs per design
- Samples before production
- Production 10–20 working days
- Delivery across Europe