QR codes are useful when you want to move someone from a physical or visual surface into a digital action. A restaurant can link a table card to a menu, a tradesperson can add a booking link to a van or flyer, and a job seeker or freelancer can connect a business card to a portfolio. The code itself is simple, but a few practical decisions determine whether people can actually use it.
1. Decide what should happen after the scan
Start with one clear destination. Usually that is a web address: your homepage, menu, booking page, Google Form, product page, contact page or event registration page. Avoid sending people to a broad homepage when a more specific destination would reduce friction.
If you are using a long URL with tracking parameters, open it in a phone browser before encoding it and make sure it loads correctly. A QR code only reproduces the data you give it; it cannot fix a broken link.
2. Generate the code
Paste the destination into the SizeFix QR Code Generator. The tool produces a scannable QR code in the browser. Download the result and keep a copy of the URL you encoded so it can be checked later.
3. Keep enough empty space around the code
The blank margin around a QR code is called the quiet zone. It helps a scanner distinguish the code from surrounding text, photographs and design elements. Do not crop tightly into the black modules or place busy graphics immediately against the edges.
4. Use strong contrast
Black on white is the safest combination. Decorative colours can work, but low contrast creates unnecessary risk. If you are printing on a coloured background, place the QR code on a clean light box rather than blending it into the design.
5. Make it large enough for the viewing distance
A code on a business card can be relatively small because the phone is close. A poster or shop window must be larger because people scan from farther away. Do not judge only by how it looks on your laptop screen—print a sample at the real intended size.
6. Test the final exported version
This step is essential. Use the SizeFix QR Scanner or a phone camera to scan the actual exported or printed code. Check that it opens the correct destination, that the page is mobile-friendly and that the user does not hit a login screen or broken redirect unexpectedly.
Business card QR codes
For a business card, link to one action that supports the conversation you want next: a portfolio, contact page, booking calendar, WhatsApp link or professional profile. Include a short label such as “Scan to book” or “View portfolio” so the person understands why they should scan.
Restaurant menu QR codes
For a menu, the destination should load quickly without requiring an account. A mobile-friendly HTML menu is often easier to use than a very large PDF, but a compressed PDF can also work when the design must be preserved. If you use a PDF, test it on mobile data as well as Wi-Fi.
Flyer and poster QR codes
Flyers often compete for attention, so place the code near a direct call to action. “Scan for a quote,” “Scan to register,” or “Scan for directions” is stronger than showing a code with no explanation. Leave enough white space and avoid folding or placing staples through the code.
Static QR codes and changing links
A basic QR code encodes the destination directly. If the URL changes later, the printed code will still point to the old address. For long-lived printed materials, use a stable URL on a domain you control and redirect that URL internally if you need to change the final destination later.