Can I Print QR Labels Before Adding Items to Sortly?

July 09, 2026 16:10

Ready to organize your inventory but haven't entered everything into Sortly yet? No problem! You can print a batch of QR codes right now, apply them to your shelves, bins, or items, and link each one to the right item or folder later using the Sortly mobile app, whenever it's convenient for you.

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In this article

How unlinked labels work
Create unlinked labels on the web
Create unlinked labels on the mobile app
Printing options explained
Frequently asked questions

How unlinked labels work

An unlinked QR label isn't connected to an item yet when you print it. This is perfect for labeling shelves, bins, or inventory ahead of time, so you can connect each one to the right item whenever you're ready.

Once your labels are printed and applied, open the Sortly mobile app and scan each code to link it to the item or folder it belongs to. You can also use an external QR or barcode scanner connected to your device instead of your phone's camera.

💡 If you already know which items your labels are for, you don't need unlinked labels. Instead, generate labels directly from an item or folder so the code is linked automatically. See Create QR Code and Barcode Labels.

Create unlinked labels on the web

1Open Settings

Click the gear icon at the bottom of the left sidebar, then select Create Labels near the bottom of the Settings menu.
2Set up your label options

The Create Label window opens under Unlinked Labels. Enter a Label name, confirm the Label type is set to QR Label, then choose your Paper size, and Label size. A preview on the right updates as you make selections.

Click Next to continue.
3Choose your printing options

On step 2 of 2, set your Label quantity and toggle on any of the optional printing settings. See Printing options explained below for what each one does.
4Download or print

Click Download PDF to save your labels, or Print Label to send them straight to your printer.

Create unlinked labels on the mobile app

1Open the Menu

Tap Menu in the bottom navigation bar, then tap Create Labels.
2Tap Get Started

Tap Get Started to continue.
3Choose your label size

Confirm QR Label is selected, then choose a Paper size (US Letter, A4 Sheet, or Label Printer) and a Label size. Tap Next.
4Add label details (optional)

On the Label Details screen you can choose a Field to show additional item details, turn on Include Photo, add a Logo or Icon, and enter a custom note up to 140 characters. Tap Next.
5Set your print details and generate

Choose your label quantity and starting position on the sheet, then tap Generate. When your labels are ready, tap Open PDF to view and print them, or Done to close the window. A copy is also sent to your email.

✅ Once your unlinked labels are printed and applied to your inventory, open the Sortly mobile app and scan each code to connect it to an item or folder. See Scan and Connect Existing QR Codes or Barcodes.

Printing options explained

Setting	What it does
Label quantity	Sets how many labels to generate in this batch.
Choose label print start position	Lets you start printing on a specific spot on a partially used sheet, so you don't waste labels.
Include sequential numbers	Adds a running number to each label in the batch.
Create duplicates	Prints more than one copy of each unique code.
Include printing instructions	Adds a page of printing instructions to the generated PDF.
Send copy to email	Emails you a copy of the label PDF for future printing needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between an unlinked label and a regular label?

An unlinked label isn't connected to an item when you print it. You scan it later using the Sortly mobile app to connect it to the item or folder it belongs to. A regular label is generated directly from an existing item or folder, so it's already linked when it prints.

Can I create unlinked Barcode labels instead of QR labels?

No. Unlinked labels are only available as QR Labels. If you need a Barcode label, generate it directly from an item or folder instead. See Create QR Code and Barcode Labels.

Can I link an unlinked label to a folder instead of an item?

Yes. When you scan an unlinked label in the mobile app, you can connect it to either an item or a folder.

Can I create unlinked labels for multiple items at once?

Yes. Set the Label quantity to the number of labels you need in a single batch, and each one will generate a unique, unlinked code.

My labels aren't printing correctly. What should I do?

Make sure the label size selected in Sortly matches the label sheet loaded in your printer. If issues continue, see Why won't my labels print? or contact our Support Team.