How to print QR codes that scan
Most QR codes that fail do so because of how they were printed or where they were placed. Work through this checklist before you send anything to the printer.
Use the right file
Send an SVG or a PDF to your print shop, because they stay sharp at any size. If you can only use PNG, download it at a high resolution and don’t enlarge it afterwards. Print at 100% scale, and check that the print settings aren’t set to “fit to page” if the exact size matters.
Keep strong contrast
- Use a dark code on a light background. Black on white is the safest choice.
- Avoid light colours such as yellow, pale grey or pastel shades for the code.
- Avoid light-on-dark codes, because many phone cameras can’t read them.
- Check gradients at their lightest point, as that is where they tend to fail.
- Don’t print over a busy photo. Put the code on a plain panel instead.
Be careful with logos and styles
A QR code can survive having part of it covered, thanks to error correction. A small logo is usually fine at the High setting, but a large logo may stop some phones reading it. Round dots and unusual corners look good, but a few older scanner apps read them less reliably. Test more thoroughly the further you move from plain squares.
Choose the surface
- Matte paper is safer than gloss, which can reflect lights straight into the camera.
- Avoid strongly curved surfaces such as narrow bottles, where the code bends out of view.
- Avoid folds and creases running through the code.
- For outdoor signs, use weatherproof material or laminate with a matte finish.
Think about where it goes
- Put it at a comfortable height, somewhere people can stand still.
- Make sure it is well lit, and check it at night if it will be used then.
- Check for a mobile signal if the code leads to a website.
- Add a short line saying what happens, such as “Scan for the menu”. People scan more readily when they know what they’ll get.
Test a real proof
Ask for one printed proof, or print one yourself at full size. Scan it with an iPhone and an Android phone, including an older one if you can, from the real distance and in the real light. Then open whatever it leads to and check that it is correct.
Next steps
Last updated: 4 November 2026