Printing and sizing

How big to print it

The download page offers sizes from 1 to 12 inches and leaves out any that are too small for your design. The smallest size depends on the code's style, colors, logo and how much it holds, so the designer and the download page work it out for each code.

As a rough guide, people can scan a code from up to about 10 times its width away. A code on a sign people read from across a room needs to be much bigger than one on a business card.

Which file to use

• PNG at 300 or 600 dpi, for Word, Canva, slides and most printing. It can have a transparent background.
• SVG for designers and websites. It stays sharp at any size.
• PDF for print shops.
• EPS for older design software that asks for it.

Before you print a lot

• Print one copy at the real size and scan it with more than one phone, from as far away as people will be.
• Keep the white border around the code. Don't crop it, stretch it or put it on a busy photo.
• Keep the code dark on a light background. Printers often make colors lighter than they look on screen.
• Avoid glossy finishes where lights or glass will reflect off them, and print bigger for curved surfaces like cups and bottles.

If a printed code won't scan, see my code won't scan.