A QR code on a shop window, menu or business card saves people from typing a long address. A bad one is worse than none, because nobody can scan it and nobody tells you.
Know what you are encoding
A link, a phone number, a Wi-Fi password and plain text all work. Shorter content makes a simpler code, and simpler codes scan faster from further away.
Size and contrast
Print it at least 2 cm wide on a card, and bigger on posters. A dark code on a light background works best, and never put the code on top of a busy photo.
Always test it
Scan the final printed version with two different phones before you order a hundred copies. Fix any problem while it is still cheap.
Static or dynamic QR codes
A static code has the information built right into the pattern. It never expires and costs nothing, but if you change your link, you must print a new code. A dynamic code points to a service’s redirect address, which lets you change the destination later, but it can stop working if the service is cancelled or your plan ends. For menus, cards and posters that are printed in bulk, think carefully before using a code that depends on someone else’s subscription.
Tell people why they should scan
A bare square looks mysterious. Add a short line next to it, such as “Scan to see the menu” or “Scan to save my contact”. People scan when they know what they will get. Put the code where your reader already is: the table, the shop window, the back of the card.
Size and distance
A good rule of thumb is that the code should be about one tenth of the scanning distance. A code on a card that is held in the hand can be small, but a poster that is read from two metres away needs a code of around 20 cm. Always leave an empty margin around the pattern, and never crop it or put text across it.
Contrast and colour
Dark on light is the safest choice. Light-on-dark, or pale colours on a coloured background, can fail on some phones. If you want colour, keep the code very dark and the background very light. Avoid placing it on a photograph or a pattern.
Make the page behind it mobile friendly
Most people scan with a phone, so the page should open quickly and read well on a small screen. A restaurant menu that is a huge PDF will frustrate people. Use a clear, light page and check that buttons and text are easy to tap.
Test before you print
Create your code with the QR Code Generator, download it, and scan the exact file on two different phones. Then print one sample at the real size and scan that too. If you need the image at a particular size, use the Image Resizer. Only after all this should you order a hundred copies.
Free, no signup, and your files never leave your device.
Open QR Code GeneratorCommon questions
Do QR codes expire?
A code made from a plain link does not expire. It only stops working if the page it points to disappears.
Can I put a logo in the middle?
It is possible, but it makes scanning less reliable, so test carefully or leave it out.
Also useful: Image Resizer.
Topics
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