Choosing bands
QR code wristbands: how they work at the gate
Updated 2 min read Paper Bands by Adalwin
A QR code on a wristband points to a ticket record. At the gate a phone or scanner reads the code, checks the record, marks it used and shows green or red. It needs line of sight and, usually, a connection to the ticketing system. RFID reads without line of sight, at a much higher price per band.
How a scan works
- Your ticketing system creates a code for each ticket.
- The code is printed on the band, one code per band.
- At the gate, a phone app or scanner reads the code.
- The system checks the code against the ticket record.
- A valid, unused code shows green and is marked used.
- A second scan of the same code shows red.
QR, barcode or RFID
| Read by | Line of sight | Cost per band | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| QR code | Phone camera or scanner | Needed | Our QR printing adds ₹0.56 to ₹1.10 | Gates staffed with phones |
| Barcode | Scanner | Needed | Similar to QR | Existing barcode scanners |
| RFID or NFC | Reader, by tapping | Not needed | Listed in India at ₹15 to ₹95 | Cashless bars, many doors, fast lanes |
We print QR codes, not barcodes. RFID listing prices are from public Indian listings checked on 14 October 2026.
What the printer needs from you
- The codes, as a spreadsheet with one code per row, in print order. Or we print a sequence.
- The width. A 25 mm band gives the code more room; on 19 mm keep the encoded text short.
- A test scan. Scan the proof with two or three of the phones your staff will use, before you approve it.
QR orders start at 5,000 printed bands and take 2 to 3 working days more. See printed wristbands.
Before the gate opens
- Test scanning under the venue’s own lighting, at night if the event is at night.
- Ask your ticketing provider whether its app can validate codes without a connection, and plan for a dropped network.
- Keep a printed list of valid codes at the gate as a fallback.
Questions
Can every band carry a different QR code?
Yes, on printed orders from 5,000. Send the codes from your ticketing system, or we print a sequence.
Do you print barcodes?
No, QR codes only. Most phones and scanning apps read QR codes.
Sources
- Scanova, Wristband QR code
- Wristband Express, RFID vs barcode vs QR code wristbands
- Identium Tech Solutions on IndiaMART, RFID wristband listings
Outside sources checked on 14 October 2026.