Preparing for GS1 Sunrise 2027: The Rise of 2D Codes in Manufacturing
CONTROL PRINT LIMITED | JANUARY 14, 2026
By 2027, the way the world scans products will fundamentally change.
With the GS1 Sunrise 2027 initiative, global retailers, brands, and solution providers are preparing to transition from traditional linear (1D) barcodes to 2D codes such as QR codes and DataMatrix at the point of sale. This shift is not just about upgrading barcodes, it represents a complete transformation in how products are identified, tracked, authenticated, and engaged with across their lifecycle.
For manufacturers, this is a wake-up call.
What once started as simple barcodes for basic identification has now evolved into intelligent, data-rich 2D codes and digital product IDs that unlock complete product histories, enable real-time traceability, fight counterfeiting, and create new consumer touch points.
Manufacturing is undergoing a major digital shift and barcodes are at the centre of this transformation.
Industries across pharma, food, FMCG, chemicals, lubricants, and even metals are rapidly adopting QR codes and DataMatrix IDs to stay compliant, meet global standards, and build smarter, more transparent supply chains.
And this shift is accelerating faster than ever.
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Why Linear Barcodes Are No Longer Enough
Traditional linear barcodes can carry only a limited amount of information, typically product numbers or SKUs. As regulations tighten and customers demand transparency, manufacturers need codes that carry much more data in a much smaller footprint.
Challenges with linear barcodes include:
- Limited storage capacity
- Inability to support serialization
- Not ideal for mobile-enabled consumer engagement
- Insufficient for global compliance frameworks (GS1, FMD, etc.)
As a result, industries are moving toward 2D barcodes, which pack far more intelligence into a compact code.
Rise of 2D Codes: The New Standard in Smart Manufacturing
Modern manufacturing is adopting QR Codes and DataMatrix Codes as the backbone of track & trace, anti-counterfeiting, and product transparency.
Why 2D Codes Are Becoming the Norm
- High data capacity — carry batch numbers, expiry dates, serialization IDs, geolocation, and more
- Damage resistance — readable even when partially scratched or worn
- Serialization-ready — essential for pharma, food traceability, and regulatory compliance
- Works with smartphones — enabling B2B and consumer-level verification
- Compact — ideal for small packaging or curved surfaces
In India, the shift is driven by regulatory push across sectors, including pharmaceuticals, food safety, and export requirements, making 2D codes necessary for manufacturers.
Digital IDs: Turning Every Product Into a Smart Product
The next evolution beyond barcodes is digital IDs, where each product unit carries a unique scannable identity that links to cloud-based data.
This is where QRiousCodes, Control Print’s cloud-based Track & Trace and Serialization platform, plays a key role.
With Digital IDs, manufacturers can:
- Track every unit through production, warehousing, distribution, and retail
- Authenticate products instantly using a smartphone
- Prevent counterfeiting and diversion
- Enable digital warranty, consumer engagement, and loyalty programs
- Provide compliance-ready audit trails
A single scan can unlock complete product intelligence, from when and where it was produced to whether it is genuine.
How Control Print Enables the Shift: Smart Printers + Smart Codes
As the industry transitions to 2D codes, manufacturers need printing systems that can produce high-resolution, scannable, durable codes on any surface.
Control Print’s advanced printers are built precisely for this shift:
Continuous Inkjet (CIJ): For high-speed production lines printing QR codes on metals, plastics, pouches, bottles, wires, and more.
Thermal Inkjet (TIJ): For crisp, high-resolution QR/DataMatrix codes on blister packs, cartons, labels, and secondary packaging.
High-Resolution (Hi-Res) DOD Printers: For large, bold, high-density 2D codes and branding on porous surfaces like corrugated boxes, plywood, or wooden crates.
These printers ensure:
- GS1-compliant code clarity
- Smudge- and fade-resistant inks
- High contrast for fast scanning
- Reliable performance even in harsh industrial environments
Sahyadri CMYK Digital Printer: The Sahyadri CMYK Digital Printer delivers vibrant, high-resolution prints with unmatched flexibility—enabling just-in-time, short-run, and customized production across diverse substrates.
Powered by proprietary software and seamless ERP integration, it ensures faster turnaround, minimal downtime, and complete control over your printing process.
Combined with QRiousCodes, Control Print provides manufacturers with complete end-to-end traceability—from on-product printing to cloud-based tracking.