> ## Knowledge Base Index > Fetch the complete knowledge base index at: https://help.simplyprint.io/sitemap.xml > Use this file to discover available pages before exploring further. > Pure-Markdown content can be obtained by appending a '.md' suffix to the content URLs listed in the sitemap (without the trailing slash). # Scanning filament label QR codes and barcodes # Scanning filament label QR codes and barcodes Once you've printed labels for your filament spools, scanning them is the fastest way to identify a spool and access its details in SimplyPrint. This guide covers all the ways you can scan your labels - from phone cameras to USB scanners to browser webcam scanning. ${youtube}[Scanning filament labels with keyboard emulating scanners](DrG6gDc-C9o) --- ## Scanning QR codes with your phone Most modern smartphones can scan QR codes directly with the camera app - no extra apps needed. When you scan a SimplyPrint QR code, it opens directly in the SimplyPrint app (if installed) or in your browser. ### How to scan 1. Open your phone's camera app 2. Point the camera at the QR code on your label 3. Hold steady until the phone recognizes the code 4. Tap the link or notification that appears 5. The spool's details page opens in SimplyPrint ![Phone camera scanning a SimplyPrint QR code](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/-/f/f/2/2/ff22a914001c1000/scanning-labels-01_118jf6m.png) ### Supported phones **iPhone (iOS 11+)** * Open the Camera app * Point at QR code * Tap the notification banner **Android** * Most Android phones since 2018 support QR scanning in the camera app * Point at QR code * Tap the link that appears * Some phones may need "Google Lens" or similar feature enabled | Most modern phones (2018 and newer) support QR scanning natively in the Camera app - no third-party app needed. If yours doesn't, be careful when downloading QR scanner apps. Many free scanners are loaded with ads, trackers, or misleading in-app purchases. Check reviews carefully and stick to well-known developers. --- ## Browser webcam scanning SimplyPrint includes a built-in webcam scanner that works directly in your browser. Use your computer's webcam (or a connected USB camera) to scan QR codes and barcodes without any additional software. ### Accessing the scanner On the **Filament** page, click the **Scan** button in the top right corner to open the webcam scanner. ![Scan and NFC buttons in the top right corner of the Filament page](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/-/f/f/2/2/ff22a914001c1000/scanning-labels-scan-and-nfc-b_1rfajvo.png) ### Using the webcam scanner 1. Click **Scan** to open the scanner modal 2. Allow camera access when prompted by your browser 3. Point your webcam at a QR code or barcode 4. The scanner automatically detects and reads the code 5. The matching spool is found and displayed ![Browser webcam scanner modal](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/-/f/f/2/2/ff22a914001c1000/scanning-labels-browser-webcam_1i7a6j0.png) ### Scanner behavior settings Configure what happens when the scanner finds a filament spool: | Setting | Description | | ---- | | **Show result in scanner** | Displays the found spool in the scanner modal | | **Open spool view** | Opens the spool details modal | | **Open spool view and close scanner** | Opens spool details and closes the scanner | ### Privacy: 100% local processing || Your webcam feed is processed entirely on your device. No video or image data is ever sent to SimplyPrint's servers. The scanner uses client-side JavaScript to detect QR codes and barcodes directly in your browser. You can verify this yourself in your browser's Developer Tools (Network tab) - you'll see no webcam data being transmitted. When the webcam is active, most browsers display a "Recording" indicator in the browser tab to show the camera is in use. ### Switching cameras If you have multiple cameras connected (built-in webcam, USB camera, etc.), you can switch between them in the scanner. Your camera preference is remembered for future sessions. ### Minified scanning mode Keep the scanner running in the background while you work on the Filament page. This is useful for high-volume scanning workflows. ![Minify button in the webcam scanner](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/-/f/f/2/2/ff22a914001c1000/scanning-labels-browser-minify_1srfi31.png) To enable minified mode: 1. Open the webcam scanner 2. Click the **Minify** button 3. Choose: * **Enable now** - Minified mode for this session only (resets when you reload the page) * **Always on this page** - Remember this preference for your device When minified, a small scanner icon appears in the bottom right corner of the screen. The scanner continues detecting codes while you browse your filament inventory. ![Minified scanner icon in the bottom right corner](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/-/f/f/2/2/ff22a914001c1000/scanning-labels-minified-webca_p2yppw.png) | Minified scanning mode is available on desktop browsers only (not mobile). This is a paid feature. ### Webcam scanner on mobile The webcam scanner also works on mobile devices through your phone's browser. Open SimplyPrint in your mobile browser and use the Scan button just like on desktop. Note that minified mode is not available on mobile. --- ## Webcam troubleshooting ### Camera permission denied If you accidentally denied camera access: **Chrome:** 1. Click the lock/info icon in the address bar 2. Find "Camera" in the permissions list 3. Change it to "Allow" 4. Reload the page **Firefox:** 1. Click the lock icon in the address bar 2. Click "Clear permissions and reload" 3. Allow camera access when prompted again **Safari:** 1. Go to Safari > Settings > Websites > Camera 2. Find SimplyPrint and set to "Allow" 3. Reload the page ### Camera not detected * Make sure your webcam is connected and working * Try a different USB port * Check if another application is using the camera * Restart your browser ### Poor detection * Ensure adequate lighting * Hold the code steady * Position the code to fill a good portion of the camera view * Clean your webcam lens * Try adjusting the distance between camera and code --- ## Using USB and Bluetooth scanners USB and Bluetooth barcode scanners that act as keyboard emulators work seamlessly with SimplyPrint - no special software or configuration needed. ![USB barcode scanner](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/-/f/f/2/2/ff22a914001c1000/scanning-labels-barcode-scanne_1eugrbc.png) ### How it works Most scanners work by "typing" the scanned value as if it were a keyboard. SimplyPrint automatically detects this rapid input and searches for the matching spool. ||| Your scanner must be configured to send **Enter** after each scan. SimplyPrint detects a scan by watching for a burst of characters typed quickly, followed by an Enter key press - without that final Enter, the scan won't be recognized. Most scanners do this by default, but if scanning isn't working, check your scanner's settings or manual to enable "suffix Enter", "add suffix CR/LF", or similar option. 1. Connect your scanner to your computer (USB or Bluetooth) 2. Open SimplyPrint 3. Scan a barcode or QR code on a label 4. SimplyPrint automatically finds and displays the spool | You don't need to open the webcam scanner or click into a search field first. Just scan, and SimplyPrint detects it automatically. ### Browse mode behavior When using keyboard-emulating scanners on the Filament page, you can configure what happens when a spool is found: ![Scanner behavior settings in browse mode](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/-/f/f/2/2/ff22a914001c1000/scanning-labels-spool-dialog-b_l5pare.png) | Setting | Description | | ---- | | **Search only** | Shows search results - you select the spool manually | | **Open spool view** | Automatically opens the spool details modal when exactly one match is found | ### Automatic spool selection When you're in a context where you need to select a spool - like assigning filament to a printer - scanning is even faster: 1. Open the spool selection dialog 2. Scan the label 3. SimplyPrint automatically searches and selects the matching spool This makes for lightning-fast spool assignment in busy print farm environments. ### Supported scanner types | Type | Description | | ---- | | **USB wired** | Plugs directly into computer, acts like a keyboard | | **Bluetooth wireless** | Pairs with phones, tablets, or computers | | **2D imagers** | Can read both barcodes and QR codes | ### Recommended scanners Here are some options that work well with SimplyPrint: | Scanner | Type | Notes | | ---- | | [Eyoyo EYH2](https://amzn.to/4iD4auy) | Handheld USB | Budget-friendly, reads QR and barcodes | | [Alacrity Embedded](https://amzn.to/4pVtQ8o) | Embedded | Great for 3D-printed enclosures | | [Symcode Embedded + NFC](https://amzn.to/4pltCYb) | Embedded | Reads barcodes, QR, and NFC tag IDs | | [Anyeast with Stand](https://amzn.to/4pQI8XC) | Desktop | Hands-free scanning | *Some links are affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.* Browse more [barcode and QR scanners on Amazon](https://amzn.to/3Y1zqdr). --- ## NFC scanning If you're using NFC tags on your filament spools, SimplyPrint can read them too. ### Accessing the NFC scanner On the **Filament** page, click the **NFC** button in the top right corner (next to the Scan button). ![NFC scanner modal](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/-/f/f/2/2/ff22a914001c1000/scanning-labels-nfc-scanner-mo_1vrren8.png) ### NFC on desktop Desktop NFC scanning requires a USB NFC reader and additional software. The reader acts as a keyboard emulator, typing out the NFC tag ID when scanned. ![Choosing NFC reader type](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/-/f/f/2/2/ff22a914001c1000/scanning-labels-nfc-modal-choo_ff1xbz.png) → For complete NFC setup instructions, see [All about NFC/RFID for filament spools](https://help.simplyprint.io/en/article/all-about-nfc-rfid-for-filament-spools-bambu-openprinttag-creality-qidi-anycubic-more-19luyni/). ### NFC on mobile Many modern smartphones have built-in NFC readers. When configured, you can tap your phone against an NFC-tagged spool to open its details in SimplyPrint. --- ## What information is encoded Different code types store different information: ### QR codes QR codes contain a **direct URL** to the spool's page in SimplyPrint: ``` https://simplyprint.io/filament/AB31 ``` The URL uses your spool's Short ID (e.g., "AB31"). When scanned, this URL opens directly in your browser or the SimplyPrint app. | The shorthand URL `sp3d.io/f/[id]` also works (e.g., `sp3d.io/f/AB31`). You can use this format to create your own QR codes with third-party tools if needed. ### Barcodes Barcodes contain the **Short ID** - a 4-character alphanumeric code like "RX75". When scanned with a USB/Bluetooth scanner, SimplyPrint automatically searches for and finds the matching spool. ### NFC tags NFC tags can store either a URL (like QR codes) or a unique ID that's linked to a spool in SimplyPrint. | QR codes are ideal for phone scanning. Barcodes work great with USB scanners. NFC is perfect for spools that get handled frequently. --- ## Tips for reliable scanning ### Print size matters * **QR codes** need to be at least 15mm (about 0.6 inches) for reliable phone scanning * Larger codes scan faster and from further away * Very small QR codes may only work with high-resolution scanners ### Error correction helps When generating QR codes, higher error correction levels (Q or H) make codes more scannable even if: * The label is partially damaged * There's dirt or smudges on the code * The print quality is low ### Keep labels clean * Avoid placing labels where they'll get dirty or scratched * Clean smudged labels with a dry cloth * Replace damaged labels when scanning becomes difficult ### Lighting and positioning * Ensure adequate lighting when scanning * Avoid glare from glossy label surfaces * Hold your phone 10-20cm (4-8 inches) from the code * Keep the scanner parallel to the label (not at an extreme angle) --- ## Related articles * [The Filament Label Generator feature](https://help.simplyprint.io/en/article/the-filament-label-generator-feature-organize-your-filament-inventory-fh6shk/) * [Direct print with Zebra printers](https://help.simplyprint.io/en/article/filament-label-generation-direct-print-with-zebra-printers-1xt1fff/) * [Direct print with DYMO printers](https://help.simplyprint.io/en/article/filament-label-generation-direct-print-with-dymo-printers-2ji9tf/) * [All about NFC/RFID for filament spools](https://help.simplyprint.io/en/article/all-about-nfc-rfid-for-filament-spools-bambu-openprinttag-creality-qidi-anycubic-more-19luyni/)