QR codes for print: size, contrast, and testing
A QR code that scans on your screen can still fail on a printed sign. These are the rules that keep a printed code reliable.
Use a vector format
Download SVG or EPS for print. Vector files stay crisp at any size, so the same file works on a business card and a storefront window. A low-resolution PNG stretched to poster size is a common cause of failed scans.
Size it for the scan distance
A useful rule of thumb is that the code should be at least one tenth as wide as the distance people scan from. For arm-length scanning, keep the code at least 2 cm, or about 0.8 inches, wide. For a code people scan from across a room, scale it up accordingly.
Keep high contrast and a quiet zone
Use a dark code on a light background, and leave a clear margin, the quiet zone, around all four sides. Avoid placing the code on a busy photo, and be careful with light-on-dark codes, because many scanners struggle with inverted patterns.
Test before the print run
Scan a proof with several phones, both new and old, before you commit to a large print order. Test in the real lighting and at the real distance where the code will live.
Use a dynamic code so a mistake is not permanent
Even with careful testing, destinations move and campaigns change. A dynamic code lets you fix the destination without reprinting, so a single typo does not waste a print run. Our print guide covers materials and partners.