Last week we had these interactive coasters printed up for our new office lounge area. Using QR code technology, people who visit our office can use their smart phone to scan the code which sends them to the IML website. It seemed like a really interesting, yet simple way to drive traffic to our site. We loved the idea of putting this very technology-driven image on a common, ordinary object. Even more intriguing is how we got them printed.

We used a Louisville-based letterpress shop, Hounddog Press, that uses very un-modern equipment to produce work, including pieces from the 19th century. They have a great shop in downtown Louisville and were more than happy to give us a quick tour of their process, equipment and view samples of work. The result for us with the coasters is a really cool old-meets-new piece that actually has multiple uses.

And as for QR codes, USA Today posted an article today illustrating just how popular the technology is now. People and businesses are using them in very creative ways to offer more information or content for those with smart phones. In our research and discovery, we have determined that you can modify the QR code graphic in certain ways in order to include additional imagery, like part of the IML logo and branding in our case. It’s interesting technology and very trendy right now. QR codes might eventually become as essential as a phone number, email address, URL or Twitter handle.

Update:
If you’re lucky, your smart phone might even be able to scan the QR code in the image above to show you exactly how powerful this technology can be. I tried it and it worked. I think it runs on magic.