Content
1. Give every code one clear job. A code that "opens our website" gets fewer scans than one that "shows today's menu". Decide the single action you want and link straight to it, not to a home page.
2. Keep the content short. A shorter link makes a simpler code with bigger modules, which scans faster and from further away. Use yoursite.com/menu rather than a long address full of parameters.
3. Link to a page you control. Your own website outlives portals, shorteners and trial accounts. When things change, update the page, not the printed code. Static vs dynamic QR codes explains why.
4. Make the destination mobile-friendly. Every scan happens on a phone. A desktop-only page or a 20 MB PDF wastes the scan. Check the page on a slow mobile connection.
5. Use the right code type. WiFi, contact cards, phone numbers, UPI and calendar events have their own formats that trigger an action on the phone. Don't put a WiFi password in a web page when a WiFi QR code logs people in directly.
Design
6. Dark on light, high contrast. Dark dots on a light background scan on every phone. Inverted codes (light on dark) and pale colors fail on many. Aim for a contrast ratio of at least 4.5:1.
7. Respect the quiet zone. Leave an empty margin of at least four modules around the code. Text, borders and images that touch the code are a top cause of failed scans.
8. Logos: small, centered, with level H. Keep the logo to about a fifth of the code's width, never over the corner squares, and use error correction level H. Our QR code with logo tool handles this automatically.
9. Add a call to action. A frame that says "SCAN FOR WIFI" or "SCAN TO PAY" tells people what they get. Codes with a clear reason to scan get used; anonymous squares get ignored.
Size and placement
10. Size for the distance. Use the 10:1 rule: the code should be about one tenth of the scanning distance, and never smaller than 2 cm. A poster read from 2 m needs a 20 cm code. Our size calculator and print size guide give exact numbers.
11. Put it where people can stop and scan. At eye level, within arm's reach, out of glare, on a flat surface. Codes on moving vehicles, high billboards and the bottom of floor-standing signs get few scans. Think about mobile data, too: underground car parks and basements may have no signal.
12. Choose the right material. Matte finishes beat gloss. Outdoors, use weatherproof vinyl or metal. On curved surfaces such as bottles, keep the code small relative to the curve or it distorts.
Testing and safety
13. Test the real print, with several phones. Print at final size and scan with an iPhone and an older Android phone, at the real distance and in the real light. Our generator scan-tests every design before download, and the scannability checker scores existing codes.
14. Protect public codes from tampering. Fraudsters paste fake codes over real ones, especially on payment stands and parking meters. Laminate codes, check them regularly and print your business name next to payment codes. See How to spot a fake QR code.
Measurement
15. Track with UTM tags, not by giving up control. Add ?utm_source=qr&utm_medium=poster to your link and your analytics will show visits from each placement. You get the numbers without routing every scan through a third-party server that can switch your code off.
Printable checklist
Before you send anything to print, check:
- One clear purpose, written in the frame text
- Short link to a page you control, tested on a phone
- Correct code type (WiFi, vCard, UPI, event…)
- Dark dots on a light background, contrast 4.5:1 or more
- Quiet zone of four modules or more on every side
- Logo small, centered, error correction H
- Size about one tenth of the scanning distance, minimum 2 cm
- Matte material suitable for the location
- Tested on two phones, printed at final size
- Payment and public codes protected and checked regularly
- UTM tag added if you want to measure visits
Common mistakes we see
- A code linking to a login page. Scanners can't sign in to your admin panel; share the public link.
- A code on an email or website shown to the same phone. People can't scan their own screen. Add a tappable link next to it.
- A code on a product photo. Busy backgrounds hide the corner squares. Put a white panel behind the code.
- A link with a typo. Scan the code and read the address before printing 5,000 copies.
- Old codes left on reprinted material. Check every print run uses the current code.
Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum size for a QR code?
About 2 × 2 cm for close-up scanning. For longer distances, make the code one tenth of the scanning distance.
What colors are best for QR codes?
Dark dots on a light background with strong contrast. Brand colors work if they are dark enough; avoid light-on-dark.
Should I put a logo in my QR code?
Yes, if it is small and centered and you use error correction level H. Always test the result.
How do I track QR code scans without a subscription?
Add UTM parameters to the link and read the visits in your website analytics.
Where should I place a QR code?
At eye level, within reach, on a flat matte surface, out of glare, with mobile signal nearby.
How do I test a QR code before printing?
Print it at final size and scan it with at least two different phones at the real distance and lighting.
Why do people not scan my QR code?
Usually because there is no reason given, the code is too small or badly placed, or it is hard to read. Add a clear call to action in the frame, make it bigger, put it at eye level and keep dark dots on a light background.