QR Codes on Business Cards, Posters and Menus: Size, Placement and Design Tips

A QR code on print behaves differently from one on a screen: light, paper surface, distance and print quality all affect scanning. That is why a code that works on screen can cause trouble in print. Here is what to know before printing.

Choose the right size

• Business cards and brochures: at least 2 x 2 cm.
• Menus and table cards: 3 x 3 cm or larger.
• Posters and shop windows: aim for a side length of roughly one tenth of the scanning distance.

Keep the contrast

A dark pattern on a light background is the most reliable combination. When designing in color, make sure the pattern is clearly darker than the background. On glossy, reflective paper, glare can make scanning harder; prefer matte surfaces.

Leave the quiet zone

The blank frame around the code is necessary for scanning. Text, lines or images must not intrude into this area.

Placement and call to action

• Put the QR code at eye level in an easy-to-reach spot.
• Write a short call to action next to it: "Scan to see the menu".
• Do not place it on surfaces that fold or curl.

Use a short link

A QR code made from a shortened address has a simpler pattern, which improves scannability even in small prints. Because the short address stays the same, updating the content of the destination page does not require reprinting the code.

Do not print without testing

Make a test print and scan it with different phones in different lights. A small test is far cheaper than throwing away thousands of prints.