59% of businesses face the issue of QR Codes not scanning properly or load times being too slow. This is especially true for QR Codes printed outside or on product packaging.
To help you avoid this problem, we’ve put together a practical guide on best practices while printing QR codes. In this article, we’ll get into ideal sizing, format, and step-by-step instructions to create your QR code for printing. Let’s get started!
Sizing guide for printing QR codes: How small can a QR code be?
The smallest QR Code ever created is 5.38 μm², which is 7 times smaller than a red blood cell. But ideally, QR Code should not be smaller than 1 cm x 1 cm.
To make a QR Code easily scannable, the size of the QR Code matters. There are several factors like scanning distance, color contrast, printing material, and more that decide the size of your QR Code.
Below is a widely used formula to determine the perfect size for your QR Code.
That means if the scanning distance is 30 inches, the size of your QR Code should be at least 0.3 inches x 0.3 inches. This is the standard size to ensure that the QR Code is scannable with a regular smartphone.
To make it simpler for you, we have collected the data on ideal sizes for the most common QR Code in print use cases:
| Use Case | Minimum Size (in inches) | Recommended Size (in inches) | Scanning Distance (in inches) |
| Business Cards | 0.4 x 0.4 | 0.8 x 0.8 | 4 – 6 |
| Product Packaging | 0.6 x 0.6 | 0.8 x 0.8 | 6 – 12 |
| Flyers and Brochures | 0.8 x 0.8 | 1.2 x 1.2 | 12 – 20 |
| Posters (Indoor) | 1.2 x 1.2 | 2 x 2 | 20 – 40 |
| Billboards (Outdoor, 5ft + viewing distance) | 6 x 6 | 10 x 10 | 60 + |
| T-Shirts / Fabric Printing | 0.8 x 0.8 | 1.2 x 1.2 | 6 – 12 |
| Vehicle Wraps | 3 x 3 | 4 x 4 | 72 – 10 |
Factors affecting scannability of QR codes printed in physical objects
1. Error correction level
A QR Code is made of small black and white squares. These squares are called modules. These modules are responsible for a very cool feature in QR Codes- error correction. Ensure that your QR Code remains scannable even if it’s slightly damaged or partially missing by error correction. Use larger QR Codes with larger modules for better data recovery. Choose from the 4 levels of error correction, a higher level allows greater data recovery.
- Level L (Low) : Best for smaller prints like business cards, product packaging, or RSVP cards. It can restore up to 7% of data.
- Level M (Medium) : Ideal for general use, such as printing brochures or posters. It can recover 15% of data.
- Level Q (Quartile) : Useful for surfaces that are not flat like t-shirts or water bottles. Up to 25% of data can be restored.
- Level H (High) : Best for conditions where the QR Code is likely to be exposed to scratching or extreme weather like outdoor billboards or warehouses. Can recover up to 30% of data.
2. Printing resolution
When printing QR Codes, it’s best to print them in higher resolution. This is to ensure there is no distortion hindering the scannability. EPS, SVG, or vector-based PDF, are ideal to ensure the scalability of the QR Code.
3. Contrast and color selection
To ensure your QR Code is readable, it’s essential to maintain high contrast between the QR Code and its background. So if you are using a darker color for the QR Code, use a lighter color for its background and vice versa.
The QR Code generator, let you know if your code has any scannability issues beforehand.
4. Printing on non-flat surfaces
When you are printing QR Codes on curved surfaces like bottles or mugs it’s best to print them smaller. The curvature of the surface can distort the QR Code.
Textured or shiny material can interfere with the scannability of the QR Code. So to avoid this, choose a smooth and non-reflective material on top of the surface.
How to create a printable QR code
Before you proceed…
Sign up for free to create QR Codes in any resolution and download QR Codes in printable formats like EPS and SVG.
Step 1: Create the QR Code
Based on the type of content you want to create a QR code for, you can select the appropriate option from the dashboard.
You can create QR for a variety of media like images, phone numbers, location, social media (Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, WhatsApp, etc.), surveys and forms (Google Forms, SurveyMonkey, Microsoft Forms, etc.), SMS, PDF, Apps, Email, to name some.
After you’ve added the content, click on Next to move on to customize your QR code.
Step 2: Customize
Edit your QR Code to add your brand colors and logo or adjust its shape to personalize it. You can also use the pre-existing templates to customize your QR Code. Once satisfied with your edits, click on Save.
Step 3: Download and print
Download the QR Code in your desired format and size. Choose SVG image format for the best printing results. They are extremely scalable and can maintain quality in any size.
Once downloaded, make sure to do a scan test of the downloaded image. Now, add the QR Code to your project and print it. Remember to do one last scan test and you are set.
Best practices to keep in mind while printing QR codes
1. Use a short URL
The following QR code looks too cluttered, right?
It is because of the amount of content that’s encoded in it. In other words, because of the ginormous link, the QR generated looks too dense.
When you shorten your URL, the QR Code scans faster and easier. This is because it significantly reduces the amount of data encoded in it. Some QR Code generators like do it automatically for you when you create a dynamic QR Code (more about that later). You can also use third-party link-shortening apps to do so.
2. Leave a clear margin (Quiet zone)
A quiet zone is a bit of white space around a QR Code. This space helps scanners identify the QR Code. They require quiet zones on all four sides. This space needs to be of the size of 4 or more modules (the smallest squares in the QR Codes). For the best scan experience, ensure there are no text or designs in the quiet zone.
3. Display QR Codes in the line of sight
QR Codes help you get 3-4x more engagement, therefore placement is key. If you are placing your QR Code too low or too high, you are losing out on that precious engagement + your investment. Make it as easy as possible for the prospect to scan the code. Choose a location that is easily visible and scannable.
4. Consider scan time
When printing QR Codes on vehicles or on a billboard in a freeway, it’s essential to consider the scan time. Generally, it takes only a few seconds to scan a QR Code, but the amount of data, size, and placement also matter. Ideally, have larger QR Codes with fewer data points for faster scan time.
5. Avoid placing multiple QR Codes together
Placing too many QR Codes in the same place can make scanning difficult. The scanner might misread and not scan. It can also make the design look very cluttered. Instead, you can use a multi-URL QR Code to share everything you want to.
6. Add a call to action
Rather than having just a QR Code, have a compelling call to action. A simple “scan me” or a logo for your social media account can significantly increase your scan rates. Without a CTA, people might simply ignore or be hesitant to scan the QR Code.
7. Test, test, test
We cannot empathize this enough, test your QR Code at every stage. Before printing, after printing, and also after placing it at your desired location. Check if your content is loading on time. If it is on a moving vehicle or a billboard, scan it while you are in a moving vehicle. Be sure to test it under different lighting conditions as well to ensure maximum impact.
Static vs. Dynamic QR Codes for Printing
What type of QR Codes should you use for printing? Well, it totally depends on your needs. When you create a static QR Code, the data within it cannot be changed. So if you are advertising something permanent like your company’s website, it’s perfect.
On the other hand, dynamic QR Codes allow you to change the content within your QR Code anytime you want. This means you can reuse your brochures or printed materials multiple times.
Earlier, we spoke about QR Codes becoming more crowded with more data points. While that’s an issue with static codes, dynamic QR Codes are less cluttered and scan easier too. But the best part?
With dynamic QR Codes, you can get a wealth of data. You can track metrics like no. of scans, device used, location, and more. All of your QR Code data is in one place.
Want to try out dynamic QR Codes for your, give The QR Code Generator a try! Plus, you get to use 2 forever free dynamic QR codes (even after your free trial ends)
Frequently asked questions
Yes! You can print QR codes with a regular inkjet or laser printer. For best results, use high-contrast colors (like black on white) and a high-resolution file. Keep the size of at least 2 x 2 cm (0.8 x 0.8 inches). Lastly, print on non-glossy paper to avoid glare.
Absolutely! There are several free QR code generators online to create static QR codes. The QR Code generator allows you to even create 2 dynamic QR codes that are forever free.
Yes, QR codes can be screen printed on various surfaces, including fabric, glass, plastic, and metal. It’s best when it is printed with matte ink. Moreover, they should be larger than 1.5 inches to ensure the ink is not smudged.
Yes, you can. However, the quality of the print depends on the resolution of the image. If the picture is blurry or pixelated, it can cause scannability issues. To get the best results, use a high-resolution digital version of the QR code instead of a photographed image.
