What happens when someone scans a printed QR code with the iPhone Camera?

QR codes generated by additem.to encode a link, so the iPhone Camera app opens the item or location directly in the app - no need to open additem.to first. The lookup happens entirely on the phone, so it works offline, and the code is meaningless without the app: nobody else can see your item data by scanning it.

What kind of barcodes does additem.to generate?

Standard EAN-13 barcodes in the GS1 range reserved for internal use (numbers starting with 2). They render as normal retail-style barcodes, scan with any barcode scanner, and can never clash with a real product code. The app checks each generated value is unique across your items and locations.

Can I print QR codes and barcodes on the same sheet?

Yes. The print queue holds both label types and they mix freely on one sheet. An item can even have both labels queued at once - one QR, one barcode.

Which label sheets do I need?

Standard Avery templates are supported in both A4 and US Letter sizes, including Avery 5160 and 5163. Any compatible generic label sheet works too - they are sold by template number.

Can I keep using barcode labels from Sortly or another system?

Yes. Scan an existing barcode label and link it to an item or location - no re-labelling needed. Quick Scan resolves those labels the same way it resolves the app's own codes.

How to Print QR Code & Barcode Labels for Home Inventory

Why print your own labels?

Pre-printed QR sticker rolls work fine, but printing your own has three advantages:

Each label is readable by humans too. Printed labels carry the item or location name and up to two custom text lines - your name, a phone number, "Property of..." - alongside the code.
The QR codes open items from the Camera app. Codes generated by additem.to encode a link, so pointing the iPhone Camera at one opens the item directly. Bought sticker rolls only work through the in-app scanner.
You print exactly what you need, when you need it. Five labels for a new shelving unit, not a 500-roll commitment.

Step 1: Queue some labels

Labels are collected in a print queue before printing, so you can build up a batch and print one sheet.

Long-press an item or location in its list, or open the ⋯ menu on its detail screen.
Choose Print Label. If the item only has a QR code (or none yet - one is generated automatically), the label is queued straight away. If it also has a barcode, a menu asks which label you want - queue one or both.
Repeat for everything you want on the sheet. A printer badge with a count appears on the Items and Locations screens.

You can also queue a specific label type from the item's NFC, QR & Barcode section: long-press the QR or barcode row and choose Print QR Label or Print Barcode Label.

Step 2: Pick a template

Tap the printer badge to open the print queue. Everything you queued is listed - QR and barcode labels mix freely on one sheet. Then:

Choose a label template. Standard Avery layouts are supported in A4 and US Letter sizes, including 5160 and 5163. Generic sheets sold as "Avery-compatible" with the same template number work too.
Add custom text lines (optional). Line 1 appears under the item name; line 2 sits at the bottom of each label. Both appear on QR and barcode labels alike.
The footer shows how many labels you've queued and how many sheets that needs.

Step 3: Print

Tap Print Labels. The app generates a PDF sized exactly to your chosen template - print it at home, or share the PDF to print elsewhere. Load the label sheet, print, peel, and stick.

What's actually on the codes?

QR codes encode a link with a random code on the end. Scanning it with the iPhone Camera opens the item in additem.to directly - the lookup happens entirely on your phone, so it works offline, and the code is meaningless to anyone without access to your inventory. No item data is ever encoded in the label itself.

Barcodes are standard EAN-13 numbers in the GS1 range reserved for internal use (they start with a 2). That means they render and scan like any retail barcode - including with hardware scanners - but can never clash with a real product's code. The app checks every generated value is unique across your items and locations.

Already have barcode labels? Reuse them

If you're moving from Sortly or any system that printed barcode labels, you don't need to re-label anything:

Open the item or location, go to the NFC, QR & Barcode section, and tap the barcode row.
Choose Scan Existing Barcode and point the camera at your old label.
Done - Quick Scan now resolves that label to the item or location, exactly like a code the app generated.

The same works for product barcodes: scan the barcode on a product's box and scanning it later finds the item. If several identical items share one product code, the app shows a picker instead of guessing.

Barcodes in custom fields

Beyond the main barcode, you can add barcode-type custom fields to items - say, a "Calibration ID" or a supplier's reference. These are scannable too: tap the scan button next to the field to fill it with the camera, and Quick Scan finds items by their custom barcode fields as well as the main one.

Which code type for which job?

QR labels - the default choice. Camera-app opening, scannable from a distance, works at any size.
Barcode labels - when a hardware barcode scanner is involved, when you're matching an existing labelling system, or when you prefer the classic look on bins and shelves.
NFC tags - for daily-access spots where a tap beats a camera. See the NFC tag guide.

How to print QR code and barcode labels for your inventory