QR codes for print: size, contrast and error correction that actually work
By Nasir Uddin Shamim5 guidesA printed QR code scans reliably when it is exported as vector, printed at least 2 cm wide, surrounded by a four-module quiet zone, and set in dark ink on a light background. Use the 10:1 rule: the code must be at least one tenth of the scanning distance.
A QR code that works on your screen can fail completely on paper. Ink spreads, laminate reflects, the code gets scaled down to fit a corner of the card, and the quiet zone disappears into a photo. These guides cover the numbers that decide whether a printed code scans: minimum module size, the 10:1 distance rule, error correction levels L through H, contrast, and why you should always export vector rather than a small PNG.
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How to make a QR code that actually scans off paper
Export the QR code as vector SVG, print it at least 2 cm (0.8 in) wide, keep a quiet zone of four blank modules on every side, and use dark ink on a light background. Choose error correction level M for most jobs, then scan a real test print before running the full batch.
How to make a WiFi QR code guests can scan
To convert WiFi to a QR code, enter the network name, password and security type in a WiFi QR generator. It encodes the WIFI:T:WPA;S:NetworkName;P:Password;; format, which supported iPhones and Android phones scan with their built-in cameras. The code exposes the password as plain text, so use a guest network.
What size should a QR code be? The distance rule
Use the 10:1 rule: a QR code must be at least one tenth as wide as the distance it is scanned from. A code read at 30 cm needs to be 3 cm wide; one read from 3 metres needs 30 cm. The absolute floor for any printed code is 2 cm.
How to put a QR code on a business card or flyer
Encode a vCard for contact details or a short URL for a landing page, size the code at 20 to 25 mm, keep 5 mm of clear space around it and away from the trim edge, and supply vector artwork at 300 DPI with the modules in 100% black. Proof one card before ordering.
How to make a Wi-Fi QR code and add it to a printable PDF
Choose the Wi-Fi network name and security type, enter its password in a QR generator, and download the code. Add it to a one-page handout with a short manual connection fallback, then test the printed copy from several phones. Anyone who can scan the code may obtain the network credentials, so share it only where intended.
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