Quick answer
- Choose what the code should do (link, menu, Wi-Fi, vCard, payment).
- Pick a dynamic code if you might ever change the destination.
- Add your colours and logo, keep good contrast, and test before printing.
- Export as SVG or PDF for print, PNG for screens.
A QR code is just a link in visual form. Point your phone camera at it and it opens a web page, saves a contact, joins a Wi-Fi network or starts a payment. The hard part isn't making one. It's making one that looks good and reliably scans. Let's walk through it.
Step 1: Decide what your QR code should do
Before you generate anything, get clear on the job. The most common types are a website link, a restaurant menu, a vCard (digital business card), a Wi-Fi login and a UPI or card payment. In QRJI you simply pick the type and fill in the details — the code is built for you.
Step 2: Choose static or dynamic
This is the decision people most often get wrong. A static code bakes the data straight into the pattern, so it can never be changed. A dynamic code points to a short redirect you control, which means you can edit the destination later and see scan analytics. If there's any chance you'll update the link, or you want to know how many people scanned — choose dynamic.
Rule of thumb: printing it once and never touching it again? Static is fine. Anything on packaging, signage or marketing? Go dynamic.
Step 3: Brand it (without breaking it)
Plain black-and-white codes work, but branded ones get scanned more. Add your colours, round the corners, and drop your logo in the middle. The one rule: keep strong contrast between the pattern and the background, and don't invert it (light pattern on dark background scans poorly on some phones). QRJI raises the error-correction level automatically when you add a logo so the code stays readable.
Step 4: Test, then export
Always scan your code with two or three different phones before you print a thousand of them. When it works, export the right format: choose SVG, PDF or EPS for anything going to print so it stays sharp at any size, and PNG for screens and social.
How big should a QR code be?
A good starting point is the "10:1" rule: the scanning distance should be about ten times the width of the code. A code printed 3 cm wide scans comfortably from around 30 cm. For a poster read from 3 metres away, you'll want it roughly 30 cm wide. When in doubt, bigger is safer.
Create unlimited dynamic, trackable QR codes and barcodes for just $1/month. Start free →
Frequently asked questions
Are QR codes free to make?
You can generate a basic static QR code for free in many tools. Dynamic codes, the kind you can edit and track, need an account. QRJI gives you unlimited dynamic codes for $1/month.
Do QR codes expire?
Static codes never expire. Dynamic codes keep working as long as your subscription is active. With QRJI, that's just $1/month.
Can I change a QR code after printing it?
Only if it's dynamic. A dynamic QR code lets you change where it points without reprinting the code.
What size should a QR code be?
Use the 10:1 rule: scanning distance ≈ 10× the code's width. About 2–3 cm works for tabletop use; scale up for posters and signage.
Related articles
Dynamic vs Static QR Codes: Which One Should You Use?
They look identical, but the difference can make or break your campaign. Here's exactly when to use each, and why it matters.
QR Code Menus for Restaurants: The Complete Guide
From table tents to update-anytime menus, here's how cafés and restaurants use QR codes to save money and sell more.
QR Code vs Barcode: What's the Difference?
1D or 2D? Retail or marketing? A plain-English comparison of QR codes and barcodes, and how to pick the right one.
Ready to create your code?
Dynamic QR codes, barcodes, analytics and bulk tools, all for $1/month.
14-day free trial · No card required · Cancel anytime