Physical Media Management Basics

Most people think generating a QR code is all there is—just creating the digital pattern. But qrtub recognizes that QR codes get displayed on physical materials: stickers, signs, plaques, billboards, real estate signs, printed ads, NFC chips. This physical media is what costs money and needs lifecycle management.

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Understanding the Three Entities

qrtub recognizes three distinct things in physical QR deployments:

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Why Track Media Separately?

Physical QR code media is infrastructure with real costs and lifecycle needs:

• Cost - A metal plaque costs $50. A billboard costs$5,000. These are infrastructure investments.
• Durability - Metal plaques last 10+ years. Weatherproof vinyl lasts 3-5 years. Different materials have different lifecycles.
• Replacement - Link history is preserved when Media is damaged or replaced
• Inventory - Track what’s been produced, what’s installed, or what’s in stock
• Production tracking - Manage Media Batches from different print partners or production runs

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Current Media Features

Available Now:

• Record Media type with each Link (sticker, sign, plaque, billboard, etc.)
• Add notes about Media materials and installation
• Track basic Media information

Planned Features:

• Full Media lifecycle management
• Media Templates (reusable design templates)
• Media inventory tracking
• Replacement workflows
• Media Batch management (track production runs)
• Cost tracking and reporting

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Media Types

Common physical Media types organizations use:

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Vinyl Stickers

• Cost: $0.50 -$5 each
• Durability: Indoor 1-3 years, weatherproof outdoor 3-5 years
• Use cases: General equipment, short-term installations
• Sizes: 2x2” to 6x6” common

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Metal Plaques

• Cost: $20 -$100 each
• Durability: 10+ years
• Use cases: Permanent installations, high-value equipment
• Materials: Stainless steel, aluminum, engraved or printed

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Signs (Rigid)

• Cost: $50 -$500 each
• Durability: 5-15 years
• Use cases: Facility signage, wayfinding, permanent locations
• Materials: Aluminum, acrylic, PVC, coroplast

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Billboards & Large Format

• Cost: $500 -$5,000+ each
• Durability: 6 months - 3 years (depending on material and weather)
• Use cases: Marketing campaigns, real estate, public information
• Sizes: 4x8 ft to 48x14 ft

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Real Estate Signs

• Cost: $50 -$300 each
• Durability: 6 months - 2 years
• Use cases: Property listings, yard signs, directional signs
• Sizes: 18x24” to 24x36” common

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Printed Ads (Newspaper, Magazines, Postcards)

• Cost: $0.10 -$2 per piece
• Durability: Single use
• Use cases: Marketing campaigns, direct mail, publications
• Production: Offset printing, digital printing

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NFC Chips

• Cost: $1 -$10 each
• Durability: 5-10 years
• Use cases: Embedded in products, contactless tap-to-scan
• Technology: Can encode same Link as QR code

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Media Templates (Planned Feature)

Future functionality will include reusable design templates:

• System-provided templates - Standard sizes (4x6” sticker, 24x36” sign, etc.)
• Custom templates - Save your own designs for consistent production
• Multi-format - One design, multiple Media types (sticker, sign, billboard)
• Partner integration - Send directly to Media Partners for production

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Media Batches (Planned Feature)

Track production runs of Media:

• Production tracking - “Media Batch #47: 500 weatherproof vinyl stickers, printed March 2025 by PrintCo”
• Cost allocation - Track costs per Batch
• Reprint management - Same Links printed across multiple Batches over time
• Quality control - Track which Batch a Media item came from

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Media Partners

qrtub works with Media Partners—print shops, signage companies, engravers, and other producers who create physical Media:

• Certified Media Partners - Vetted producers who understand qrtub workflows
• Template compatibility - Partners who can work with qrtub Media Templates
• Direct ordering - (Future) Order Media directly through qrtub

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Choosing the Right Media

Consider these factors when selecting Media types: Environment:

• Indoor → Standard vinyl stickers
• Outdoor → Weatherproof vinyl or metal plaques
• Harsh conditions → Engraved metal or ceramic

Duration:

• Temporary (< 1 year) → Vinyl stickers, printed materials
• Medium-term (1-5 years) → Weatherproof vinyl, rigid signs
• Permanent (10+ years) → Metal plaques, engraved signs

Budget:

• Low-cost deployments → Vinyl stickers, printed materials
• Infrastructure investments → Metal plaques, signs
• Marketing campaigns → Billboards, large format prints

Application:

• Equipment → Stickers, metal plaques
• Facilities → Signs, plaques
• Marketing → Billboards, printed ads, postcards
• Products → Stickers, NFC chips

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Next Steps

• Understanding Media Templates (Planned)
• Media Batch Management (Planned)
• Media Replacement Workflow (Planned)
• Best Practices for Media Selection
• Working with Media Partners (Planned)