How to make a QR code that scans every time
- Dark on light. Use a dark QR colour on a light background. Many scanner apps can't read light codes on dark backgrounds, and pale colours fade in print.
- Leave a margin. The empty border around the code helps phones find it. Keep at least 2, and more if it sits on a photo or pattern.
- Keep logos small. A logo covers part of the code. We switch to high error correction automatically, which keeps it readable up to about 30% of the width.
- Print big enough. As a rule of thumb, make the code at least 2 × 2 cm, and about one tenth of the scanning distance (a code read from 1 metre away should be about 10 cm wide).
- Test before you print. Scan it with two different phones, from the distance people will actually use.
Why put a short link in your QR code?
A QR code can't be changed once it's printed. If it holds your full web address and that page moves, every poster, menu and visiting card is wasted. If it holds a short Sutly link instead, you can change where the link points at any time, and the printed code keeps working. You also see how many people scanned it, day by day, alongside normal clicks.
Short links also make simpler QR codes, with fewer, bigger squares. They scan faster and more reliably, especially when printed small.
PNG or SVG?
| Format | Best for | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| PNG | WhatsApp, Instagram, websites, slides, Word documents | Works everywhere. Pick a larger size for print. |
| SVG | Printers, designers, banners, Canva, Illustrator | Stays sharp at any size, from stickers to hoardings. |