You can use an Azaz QR Code on printed materials to give people a quick way to open a website, short link, menu, Bio Page, event page, contact information, or other supported destination using their phone.
Before printing, it is important to test the QR code carefully and make sure it remains easy to scan at the size and quality you plan to use.
Where can I create a QR code?
Visit Azaz QR Codes to create a QR code.
If you are signed in, you can also access your QR code tools from My QR Codes.
What can I print a QR code on?
QR codes can be useful on many types of printed materials, including:
- Business cards
- Flyers
- Posters
- Restaurant menus
- Product packaging
- Brochures
- Event materials
- Signs
- Labels
- Receipts
Choose the correct destination first
Before generating your QR code, decide exactly what visitors should open after scanning it.
Double-check the destination URL for spelling mistakes and confirm that the page loads correctly.
This is especially important for printed materials because changing or replacing physical copies later can be difficult or expensive.
Consider using an Azaz short link
If appropriate for your use case, you can create an Azaz short link and use that short URL as the QR code destination.
You can manage your account's short links from My Links.
If you use a short link, test both the short URL and the resulting QR code before printing.
Which file format should I use?
Azaz supports QR code downloads in formats such as PNG, SVG, and WEBP.
The best format depends on how you plan to use the QR code.
SVG
SVG is often useful for professional print layouts because vector graphics can be resized without the same type of pixelation associated with raster images.
PNG
PNG is widely supported by image editors, office applications, websites, and many printing workflows.
Make sure the image has enough resolution for the physical size at which it will be printed.
WEBP
WEBP can be useful for digital images, but make sure the software or printing workflow you are using supports it correctly.
For more information, see the Help Center article about choosing between PNG, SVG, and WEBP.
Do not make the QR code too small
A QR code that is extremely small may be difficult for phones to scan, especially when viewed from a distance or printed with limited quality.
The appropriate physical size depends on factors such as:
- How far away people will scan it
- The amount of information encoded
- The quality of the printer
- The material being printed on
- The surrounding design
Always test the QR code at its actual intended printed size.
Keep clear space around the QR code
Avoid placing text, logos, borders, photographs, or other design elements too close to the QR code.
Leaving clear space around the code helps scanning software distinguish it from the surrounding design.
Use good contrast
The QR code should be clearly distinguishable from its background.
Avoid combinations where the code and background are too similar.
Decorative designs may look attractive but can make a QR code harder to scan if they reduce readability.
Be careful when customizing the QR code
If you customize the appearance of your QR code, test it again afterward.
Changes to colors, logos, patterns, or other visual elements can affect scanning if they interfere with important parts of the code.
A QR code should remain functional even when visual customization is used.
Avoid stretching or distorting the image
Keep the QR code square when resizing it.
Stretching it horizontally or vertically can distort the pattern and may make scanning less reliable.
Check print quality
Blurry edges, low-resolution images, ink problems, reflections, folds, or damaged surfaces can make a QR code difficult to scan.
If possible, print a sample before producing a large quantity.
Test the actual printed copy
Do not rely only on testing the QR code on your computer screen.
Print a sample at the actual intended size and scan the physical copy.
Test it using more than one phone or scanning application when practical.
Check what happens after scanning
Successful scanning is only part of the test.
After scanning, verify that:
- The correct URL opens.
- The destination loads successfully.
- There are no unexpected redirects.
- The destination works well on mobile devices.
- The content is still available.
Print the short URL near the QR code
When appropriate, consider displaying a readable short URL near the QR code.
This gives visitors another way to reach the destination if they cannot scan the code.
For example:
azaz.click/menu
Use an actual link that you control and have tested.
Add a clear instruction
A short instruction can help people understand what the QR code does.
Examples include:
- Scan to view the menu
- Scan to visit our website
- Scan for event information
- Scan to view our links
Make sure the instruction accurately describes the destination.
Think carefully before printing large quantities
Before ordering hundreds or thousands of copies, perform a final test of the complete printed design.
Check:
- The QR code scans reliably.
- The destination is correct.
- The short URL works, if one is displayed.
- The QR code is large and clear enough.
- The surrounding design does not interfere with scanning.
- The destination works well on mobile devices.
What if the destination changes later?
Consider how long the printed material will remain in use before choosing your QR code destination.
A QR code containing a fixed destination continues to contain that encoded information after it has been printed.
If you need destination management, consider whether using an appropriate managed Azaz short link as the QR code destination fits your use case.
The options available for an existing link can depend on how it was created, so verify the behavior you need before printing.
Can I track scans?
A QR code and a short link are separate components.
If your QR code opens an Azaz short link, available activity associated with that short link may be viewed through Azaz Statistics.
Do not automatically interpret short-link clicks as an exact count of unique people who scanned a printed QR code. Testing, repeated visits, automated requests, and other activity can affect statistics.
Use separate links for different printed campaigns
If you distribute QR codes in several places, separate short links can make campaign organization easier.
For example, you could use different links for:
- A restaurant table card
- A storefront poster
- A flyer
- An event banner
You can manage those links through My Links.
Use QR codes responsibly
QR codes and any Azaz links they contain must not be used for phishing, malware, scams, deceptive redirects, or other prohibited activities.
Review the Azaz Terms of Service before distributing your QR codes.
Privacy
For information about how Azaz handles information, review the Azaz Privacy Policy.
Need help?
If you have a problem creating or using an Azaz QR code, visit the Contact page.
Never send passwords, API keys, authentication tokens, or other private credentials when requesting assistance.