In a world where marketers are chasing clicks, scrolls, and swipes, it may come as a surprise that ad inserts are making a digital comeback. The secret? Seamless integration with QR codes and augmented reality (AR).
While traditional inserts ads—from magazine pages to bag ads and flyers—have long been effective tools for brand visibility, they’ve often been labeled as difficult to measure. But modern technology is changing that.
Today, marketers are finding powerful new ways to bridge the gap between physical ad inserts and digital behavior, creating experiences that are trackable, interactive, and surprisingly cost-effective.
Ad Inserts Meet QR Codes: A Gateway to Deeper Interaction
QR codes are more than just pandemic-era restaurant menus. They’re now a reliable tool for taking ad inserts from flat to functional. Whether embedded on bags ads, pharmacy flyers, or product catalog inserts, QR codes allow marketers to create a clickable print experience.
Why QR codes work in ad inserts:
They’re familiar: Consumers know how to use them, and smartphone cameras recognize them instantly.
They’re measurable: You can track scans, location, time, and behavior after the scan.
They’re adaptable: One code can lead to product pages, videos, coupons, forms, or mobile apps.
By placing QR codes in bag ad campaigns or inserts ads, marketers can direct consumers to:
Exclusive offers
Product demos
Booking pages
Loyalty programs
Augmented reality experiences (more on that below)
And the best part? You’re transforming passive readers into active participants.
Ad Inserts and AR: The Next Level of Print Engagement
If QR codes are the bridge between print and digital, augmented reality is the new frontier. By embedding AR into ad inserts, brands can provide immersive experiences without a heavy digital budget.
Imagine this:
A bags ad comes with a code that launches a 3D product demo on your customer’s phone.
A beauty brand insert animates the effects of skincare products in real-time using AR filters.
A bag ad for a shoe store lets the user “try on” styles through their mobile screen.
This technology is no longer just for tech giants. Thanks to platforms like 8thWall, Zappar, and WebAR, brands can build AR experiences directly into browser-based journeys—no app required.
Ad Inserts Become Actionable: What Marketers Can Track Now
Marketers have long struggled to measure the ROI of print, but QR and AR integration changes the game.
With smart inserts ads, you can now track:
Scan rates per placement location (Which bag ad generated more engagement?)
Dwell time on landing pages
Heatmaps on interactive AR features
Conversion metrics post-scan
This gives marketers the one thing they’ve always wanted from print: data. Better yet, it enables A/B testing across different formats—be it a bag ad in a pharmacy or a QR-equipped magazine insert.
Use Cases: How Brands Are Using Tech-Enabled Ad Inserts
Here are real-world examples of how marketers are turning traditional ad inserts into modern engagement drivers:
Pharmaceutical Brands Using Bag Ads
Prescription bags now feature QR codes linking to:
Medication tutorials
Copay savings cards
Symptom trackers
These bag ads deliver not just awareness but also functionality—and they’re handed directly to the consumer at the point of trust.
Retailers with AR Catalog Inserts
Fashion retailers are adding AR overlays on inserts ads that:
Let users see how a jacket fits using body tracking.
Launch video clips from a printed lookbook.
These inserts ads don’t just inspire—they let shoppers visualize themselves in the product, increasing conversion rates.
Restaurants with Interactive Bag Ads
Takeout bags ads with scannable promotions are becoming hot real estate:
Scan for loyalty points
Enter a contest
Watch behind-the-scenes food content
This turns every order into a multichannel marketing opportunity.
Ad Inserts vs Traditional Digital Ads: Which Drives Deeper Engagement?
Let’s compare how ad inserts with QR or AR stand up against conventional digital marketing:
Metric | Digital Banner Ad | QR/AR Ad Insert (Print) |
Engagement Time | 3–5 seconds | 20–60 seconds |
User Intent | Passive scroll | Intentional scan/tap |
Context | Easily ignored | Tangible, in-hand |
Conversion Opportunity | Low (banner blindness) | High (actionable & novel) |
Ad inserts win when it comes to attention and immersion, especially when they show up in unexpected but relevant settings (like takeout bags, pharmacy packaging, or curated mailers).
Best Practices: Designing Tech-Enabled Ad Inserts That Convert
If you’re integrating QR codes or AR into your next inserts ad, here are tips for success:
Keep the QR Code Clear
Don’t crowd it with clutter. Place it in a spot with breathing room and a clear call to action.
Use a Value-Based CTA
People don’t scan out of curiosity—they scan for reward. Add language like:
“Scan to win”
“Unlock 20% off”
“Watch the product in action”
Test Your AR Flow
Make sure the AR loads fast, doesn’t require an app, and adds real value, not just novelty.
Track Everything
Use dynamic QR codes to A/B test copy, creative, and audience segments across various bags ads or distribution points.
Final Thoughts: Ad Inserts Are More Alive Than Ever—Thanks to Tech
It’s easy to write off ad inserts as old-school. But with the rise of QR code adoption and accessible AR tech, this “traditional” format is getting a very modern upgrade.
Whether you’re slipping a branded flyer into a subscription box, printing a bag ad for a pharmacy campaign, or distributing a QR-powered handout at a wellness event, the goal is the same.
