How to print QR codes
Choose the right file format
PNG is best for most print jobs: flyers, stickers, menus, and business cards. Export at high resolution (our download flow provides print-ready sizes). SVG is vector-based — ideal for large format banners, estate agent boards, and anything a designer will scale in Illustrator or Canva without pixelation.
Minimum size for reliable scans
As a rule of thumb, print QR codes at least 2×2 cm (0.8×0.8 inches) for close-range scanning (menus, cards, packaging). Posters viewed from several metres away need larger codes — see our dedicated QR size guide for posters.
- Table tent / menu at arm's length: 2–3 cm
- Business card: 2 cm square minimum
- Shop window (passers-by): 5–8 cm
- Large poster / board: 10 cm+ depending on distance
Contrast and quiet zone
Phones read QR codes by contrast. Dark modules on a light background work best — classic black on white is the safest choice. Avoid low-contrast pairs (yellow on white, grey on cream).
Leave a quiet zone (empty margin) around the code equal to roughly four modules on each side. Do not crop the border or place text overlapping the pattern.
Adding a logo
Centre logos are supported on Pro plans. Use high error correction (level H) when embedding a logo so the code remains scannable. Keep the logo roughly 20–30% of the code area — larger logos increase scan failures.
Test on paper before a 5,000-unit print run. Scan with both iPhone and Android, in average indoor lighting.
Print production tips (UK)
Home and office printers
Use “actual size” or 100% scale — never “fit to page” for a QR intended at a specific dimension. Matte paper reduces glare compared to glossy laminates.
Professional print
Supply PNG at 300 DPI or SVG. Tell your printer the physical size on the artwork (e.g. 25 mm square on an A5 flyer). Request a printed proof if the job is high value.
Outdoor boards
UV-resistant laminate and larger module size help in bright sunlight. Re-test after lamination — some films add glare.
Test before you commit
On Free-QR.co.uk you can design and preview before sign-up. After going live, scan the printed proof and confirm it lands on the correct URL or menu PDF. For campaigns that change monthly, pair print with a dynamic QR on Pro so the destination can move without a reprint.
Related guides
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