Printing QR codes
A QR code that looks fine on screen can fail once it’s printed small on a matte sticker. Six rules that keep printed codes scannable, plus the free tools here for doing it at scale.
The six rules
Use SVG, not PNG, for print
SVG is vector — it stays sharp at any size, from a business card to a billboard. Export PNG only when you specifically need a raster file, and then at high resolution.
Size = scanning distance ÷ 10
A code scanned from 30 cm needs to be at least 3 cm wide. A shop-window code read from 2 m needs 20 cm. There is no penalty for going bigger.
Keep the quiet zone
Leave a plain margin around the code, at least four modules wide. Don't let text, images or a coloured panel touch it.
High contrast, matte finish
Dark code on a light background. A glossy laminate reflects light into the camera — matte scans better, especially in restaurants and low light.
Small logo, high error correction
A centre logo should be under a quarter of the width. Error correction is raised to High automatically when you add one.
Test on the real material
Scan a proof at final size, on the actual paper or sticker, with more than one phone, before you commit to a print run.
Free tools for printing at scale
Print templates →
Posters, table tents, business cards and badges. Edit the wording, add a logo, download a print-ready PDF at 300 DPI.
Bulk QR generator →
Up to 250 codes from a CSV or a numbered series, as one ZIP — for product labels, tickets and asset tags.
A4 print sheet (in the generator)
After designing a code, the PDF button in the preview panel lays it out six-up on an A4 sheet, ready to cut into cards.