QR Codes on Any Surface
Exact size charts, placement rules, and print specs for QR codes on business cards, flyers, billboards, menus, and more. Each guide is backed by the 1:10 scan-distance rule, real-world test protocols, and a free QR generator pre-configured for the material.
Browse Material Guides
Each guide ships with material-specific size charts, placement rules, print specs, and a free QR generator.
QR Codes on Mugs
Spec QR codes on mugs and tumblers — sublimation vs pad printing vs decal vs vinyl, the curved-surface arc rule, food-safe ink, and dishwasher durability.
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QR Codes on Billboards — Far-Scan Math & Driver Safety
QR codes for highway, transit, and LED billboards — the 10x scan-distance rule, driver-safety law, a 6-foot QR for 75-foot viewing, and dynamic-redirect
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QR Codes on Vehicles
Spec QR codes for vehicles — vinyl wraps, magnetic signs, rear-window placement, car-wash durability, rideshare tipping QRs, and drive-by scan-distance math.
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QR Codes on Stickers — Material, Adhesive & Lamination
Spec QR code stickers that scan in the field — paper/vinyl/BOPP/polyester, adhesive, lamination, UV durability, surface compatibility, and scan-stress
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QR Codes on Restaurant Menus
Restaurant menus are tough scan surfaces — grease, lamination, wash cycles, table-distance scanning. Get placement, size, encoding, and durability right.
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QR Codes on Product Packaging — FDA, GS1 & Pharma Rules
QR codes on packaging the right way — FDA food-safe inks, a 30% size boost for curved bottles, GS1 Digital Link, and the EU Digital Product Passport (Feb
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QR Codes on T-Shirts
Print method (DTG, screen, heat transfer, sublimation, embroidery) drives QR size, fabric limits, and wash durability. 2026 specs, placement, and testing.
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QR Codes on Posters
A wall poster scanned at 6-10 ft needs a 7-inch-plus QR with H error correction. 2026 guide: size by venue, UV/lamination durability, and the 10-foot scan
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QR Codes on Flyers — CTA, Design & Placement Tips
Put a QR code on a flyer that gets scanned — size rules, placement, CTA phrasing, color contrast, print-ready templates, and a 15-second scan test.
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QR Codes on Business Cards
What you encode (dynamic vCard, static vCard, profile URL, bio link) matters more than size. 2026 guide: decision tree, sizing, and placement.
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Why Follow Our Material Guides
Most QR placement advice is generic. Ours is material-specific, data-backed, and tested.
Size Charts for Every Material
Exact QR code sizes by scan distance and content type — from 0.5 in on a business card to 36 in on a trade-show banner. Built on the 1:10 scanning-distance rule.
Print Specs That Scan
CMYK vs RGB, bleed rules, 300 DPI minimums, 4-module quiet zones, finish-specific adjustments. The specs your printer should know but rarely asks about.
50-Scan Pilot Protocol
Test 5–10 proof prints, run 50–200 scans across devices and lighting, target 95% first-attempt success. A rigorous test protocol most QR libraries skip.
Free Generator Built In
Every guide includes a live QR code generator pre-configured for the material — correct error correction, recommended size, and download-ready vector output.
Frequently Asked Questions
The fundamentals that apply across every material in the library.
What is the 1:10 scanning-distance rule?
The 1:10 rule states that a QR code's size should be at least 1/10 of the expected scanning distance. A business card held at 6 inches needs a QR at least 0.6 inches tall. A billboard scanned from 30 feet needs a QR at least 36 inches tall. The rule comes from decades of barcode-industry practice and holds across every QR placement — print, large format, packaging, and events.
Why does QR code size depend on the material?
Different materials imply different scan distances, viewing conditions, and finish types. A tabletop menu is scanned from 12 inches; a billboard from 30 feet. Glossy finishes reflect light and slow recognition; matte scans faster. Each material guide accounts for these variables with material-specific size and finish recommendations.
Do I need a different QR code for each material?
No — if you use dynamic QR codes, a single code can be printed on multiple materials. The key is designing the code once at the largest required size (for the smallest material in your set) and using that version everywhere. Static QR codes encode their data directly, so you may need to regenerate for different character limits.
What error correction level should I use for printed QR codes?
For most printed materials: Q (25%). It survives pocket wear, minor folds, and small print defects. Use H (30%) if you are embedding a logo in the center of the QR. Use L (7%) or M (15%) only for short-life materials (event tickets, one-time receipts) where minor damage is unlikely.
Do QR codes work on glossy surfaces?
They work, but scan up to 30% slower due to glare. Matte, uncoated, or spot-matte finishes scan best. If your brand requires a glossy look, apply spot matte on just the QR area, print on a matte sticker, or increase QR size by 10–25% to compensate for reflection loss.
How do I test a printed QR code before a full print run?
Run a 50-scan pilot: print 5–10 proof copies at the exact final size, stock, and finish. Scan with both iPhone and Android, from 6, 12, and 18 inches, in bright indoor, outdoor, and low-light conditions. Target 95% first-attempt success with median time-to-read under 3 seconds. If any test fails, increase QR size 10% or bump error correction one level.
Are these guides free to use?
Yes. Every guide is free to read with no signup, and every guide links to the free QRLynx QR code generator with the recommended settings pre-configured. No watermark on downloads, no paywall on guides.
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