How to print a QR code that people can scan
Choose a file format, preserve the border, and test at the size your audience will actually use.
Start with the final use
A code on a business card is scanned close up. A window poster may be scanned from farther away and through reflections. Decide where the code will live before choosing its size. There is no single minimum printed size that works for every payload, camera, and viewing distance.
Keep the content short. A lengthy contact card creates more small squares than a short website address. At the same printed width, those smaller squares are harder for a camera to distinguish.
Use SVG for layouts you will resize
SVG is a vector file: the square pattern stays sharp when you resize it in compatible design software. PNG is a good choice for office documents and image workflows. Choose enough resolution for the final print size and avoid enlarging a small PNG.
The generator rounds PNG dimensions up to an integer number of pixels per QR module. The preview lists the actual dimensions. This avoids softened edges caused by fractional pixels.
Keep the quiet zone clear
A QR code needs an empty border, often called its quiet zone. Our exports include four modules of clear space on every side. Do not crop this space away or place text, decorative frames, or other images inside it.
Use dark squares on a light, plain background. Glossy material, folds, low ink coverage, and strong reflections can all affect scanning even if the original digital file works.
Test a real print, not just the preview
Print one sample at the intended size and on the intended material. Scan it with more than one phone, at the expected distance and under the lighting where it will be used. Check the opened address or imported contact, not only that a scanner detects a QR code.
Only place a bulk print order after that test. Keep the original SVG or high-resolution PNG so you can make a new layout without taking a screenshot.