1. Start with the content
Before thinking about resolution, make sure the code performs the right action. Open the destination URL yourself. Check Wi-Fi credentials against the router. Review each contact field. A clear scan of the wrong information is still a failed result.
Keep the payload as short as it can reasonably be. Removing unnecessary URL parameters or optional contact fields reduces the number of modules. Those larger modules are generally easier to reproduce and read.
2. Choose the right export
SVG and PDF keep the QR shapes as vectors. They are useful for print layouts because they can scale without turning into blurred pixels. This generator’s PDF is a 100 mm square page; place it at the intended size in your layout application. Embedded logos remain raster images, so begin with a clear source logo.
PNG is a good choice if your document editor does not support vectors. For a 30 mm code printed at 300 dpi, roughly 355 pixels cover the physical width. A 512 pixel export is often adequate at that size; 1024 or 2048 pixels provide more flexibility. This calculation is about image resolution, not a guarantee that a dense code will scan.
JPEG can introduce compression artifacts around sharp edges. Use PNG or vector output when you have the choice. If JPEG is required, inspect the imported file after the layout application recompresses it.
3. Protect the border
A QR code needs a clear quiet zone. Keep at least four modules between its pattern and nearby text, decorative borders, photographs, or other artwork. The generator includes this margin. Do not crop it off in your layout editor.
Scale the full square proportionally. Stretching the height or width changes the shapes a scanner expects. Place transparent exports on a plain, light background, keeping the entire quiet zone free of other objects.
4. Choose a realistic physical size
A simple code printed around 25–30 mm wide is a useful starting point for close-range scanning. A long contact card, a logo, or a person scanning from a distance can require a larger code. This is why a universal minimum size is not dependable.
For a poster, test from the distance people will actually stand. For packaging, account for folds, seams, and curved surfaces. A code that wraps around a small cylinder can be difficult to frame in the camera.
5. Test the actual material
- Print one sample using the same paper, ink, finish, and dimensions as the final piece.
- Try more than one phone, including a device similar to your audience’s.
- Test in ordinary lighting and at the expected viewing distance.
- Check the action after decoding: the website, imported contact, or offered network must be correct.
- If scans are inconsistent, enlarge the code, simplify its design, remove the logo, or shorten the payload.
Glossy laminates can create glare. Low-quality ink, textured stock, and transparent stickers can lower contrast. Put a clear solid backing behind a code when the material underneath is unpredictable.
6. Give people a fallback
Add a brief label that explains what scanning does, such as “View the menu” or “Connect to guest Wi-Fi.” Include a readable URL or alternative instructions when the information is important. Avoid making a QR code the only route to essential content.
Ready for a sample? Create your QR code, then use the design guide for color and logo choices.