QR Codes Explained: How to Create, Use and Track Them

"QR Code - A QR code is a scannable barcode that links printed materials to digital content such as websites, menus or contact details."

QR codes have quietly become one of the most useful tools in print marketing.

What was once seen as a novelty is now a familiar part of everyday life, from menus and event check-ins to product packaging and posters. For businesses, that makes them especially valuable. A QR code can turn a flyer into a landing page, a poster into a booking tool or a piece of packaging into a review request.

In this guide, we’ll explain how QR codes work, how to generate them, where to use them, what benefits they offer, what alternatives are available and what the future may look like.

Table of Contents

• What Is a QR Code?
• Why QR Codes Matter Again
• How QR Codes Work
• How to Generate a QR Code
• Static vs Dynamic QR Codes
• Where to Use QR Codes in Print
• The Benefits of QR Codes
• QR Code Design Best Practices
• Alternatives to QR Codes
• What’s Next for QR Codes?
• QR Code FAQs
• Final Thoughts

What Is a QR Code?

A QR code, or Quick Response code, is a two-dimensional barcode that can store much more information than a traditional barcode. When scanned with a smartphone camera, it can take the user to a website, download a file, open a payment page, save contact details or trigger another digital action.

Unlike older barcodes that are read in a single direction, QR codes are designed for fast scanning from multiple angles. That makes them practical for both digital and printed environments.

Why QR Codes Matter Again

QR codes are no longer just a marketing gimmick. Their widespread use during the pandemic helped familiarise people with scanning codes in everyday settings, and that behaviour has stuck.

That matters for print because QR codes solve a long-standing problem: how to make a printed item interactive. They allow businesses to keep printed designs clean while still linking to videos, offers, contact forms, social pages or online ordering.

How QR Codes Work

A QR code stores information in a square pattern of black and white modules. When someone scans it using their smartphone camera, the device interprets the pattern and converts it into something useful, such as a URL or contact card.

Most modern smartphones can read QR codes directly through the built-in camera app, which is one of the main reasons they are so easy for customers to use today.

How to Generate a QR Code

Creating a QR code is usually very straightforward.

1. Decide what you want it to do

Before generating a code, choose the destination. This could be:

• a website or landing page
• a menu
• a product page
• a booking form
• contact details
• a review page
• a Wi-Fi login
• a payment link

2. Choose a QR code generator

There are many tools that let you create either free static QR codes or paid dynamic ones. Static codes encode the destination directly, while dynamic codes route through a service that allows the destination to be changed later. You can create a QR code using a free QR code generator, or you could use paid software such as Adobe InDesign to create one.

3. Download the right file type

For print, use a sharp, scalable file where possible. SVG or EPS formats are usually best for professional printing, while high-resolution PNG can work well for many smaller jobs.

4. Test it before printing

This is essential. Scan it on different phones, at different sizes and in different lighting conditions before sending artwork to print.

Static vs Dynamic QR Codes

Static QR Codes

A static QR code contains fixed information. If the URL changes later, the code will no longer point to the right place. These are often fine for long-term destinations that won’t need updating.

Dynamic QR Codes

A dynamic QR code points to a managed redirect. That means you can update the destination later without reprinting the code, and many platforms also provide analytics such as scans, locations and device data.

For print marketing, dynamic codes are often the more flexible choice, especially if you want to measure performance or update a campaign after launch.

Where to Use QR Codes in Print

QR codes are especially useful when they connect a printed item to a clear next step.

Flyers and Leaflets

QR codes can take readers straight to a product page, booking form, discount code or campaign landing page.

Posters

A poster has limited space. A QR code lets you keep the design clean while still giving viewers access to more information, tickets, event registration or directions.

Business Cards

A QR code on a business card can link to your website, portfolio, contact details or LinkedIn profile, helping the card work harder without cluttering it with too much text.

Packaging

QR codes on packaging can link to product instructions, care guides, loyalty programmes, reviews or upsell pages.

Menus and Hospitality Print

This remains one of the most familiar QR code uses. Restaurants, cafés and event venues often use them to link to digital menus, ordering systems or allergy information.

Event Materials

Tickets, brochures, programmes and exhibition graphics can all use QR codes to connect visitors with schedules, sign-ups, maps or speaker information. QR codes on event tickets are a good way to link users to terms and conditions, or to future events etc.

The Benefits of QR Codes

They Connect Print and Digital

QR codes let print drive online action without forcing someone to manually type in a long web address.

They’re Convenient

Because most smartphones can scan them instantly, the barrier to action is low.

They Can Be Tracked

Dynamic QR codes can provide scan data, making it easier to measure campaign performance and understand customer behaviour.

They Save Space

Instead of adding long URLs, app instructions or detailed contact information, you can use one compact code and a short call to action.

They’re Versatile

One format can support marketing, payments, customer service, product information and event management.

QR Code Design Best Practices

A QR code only works if people can scan it easily.

Make It Big Enough

Very small QR codes are harder to scan, especially on posters or packaging viewed at a distance.

Use Strong Contrast

Dark code on a light background is usually best. Low contrast may look stylish but can hurt scan reliability.

Leave Clear Space Around It

QR codes need a quiet zone around the edges so cameras can detect them properly.

Don’t Over-Style It

Custom colours, frames and logos can work, but too much decoration can reduce reliability.

Include a Call to Action

Never assume people will scan without context. Tell them what they’ll get, such as “Scan to view the menu” or “Scan to claim your offer”.

Test the Final Artwork

Test from print proofs, not just from your screen.

Alternatives to QR Codes

QR codes are useful, but they are not the only option.

Short URLs

A short, memorable URL can be easier in some situations, especially if the audience may prefer typing on desktop later.

NFC Tags

Near Field Communication allows users to tap a phone against a tag to open content. It can feel seamless, but it requires embedded hardware and is less universal in print than QR codes.

Custom Landing Page URLs

A clean branded URL printed directly on the artwork may suit some campaigns better, especially if simplicity is the priority.

Augmented Reality

AR can create more immersive print experiences, but it tends to be more complex and expensive to implement.

For most everyday print marketing, QR codes remain the simplest option because they are cheap, familiar and easy to use.

What’s Next for QR Codes?

QR codes continue to evolve, and they are likely to become even more useful in the years ahead. QR code generators are likely to become much more sophisticated, allowing users to create more eye-catching, unique QR codes.

More Dynamic and Editable Codes

Businesses increasingly want codes they can update after print, along with better analytics and campaign control.

More Branded Designs

There is growing interest in custom QR designs that better match brand identity, as long as they remain easy to scan.

Greater Use in Retail and Packaging

QR codes and other 2D codes are becoming more important in retail, packaging and product information, especially where businesses want to share more than a standard barcode can hold.

Richer Digital Experiences

In the future, QR codes may connect more often to AR experiences, digital wallets, personalised offers and product authentication tools.

The likely future is not that QR codes replace every other option. It’s that they continue becoming a standard bridge between physical materials and digital actions, especially where speed and convenience matter.

QR Code FAQs

• What is a QR code used for?

A QR code is used to take someone quickly to digital content, such as a website, menu, contact card, payment page or booking form, using their smartphone camera.

• How do I create a QR code for free?

You can create a QR code for free by using an online QR code generator, entering your URL or content, generating the code and downloading the file. Always test it before printing.

• Are QR codes free to use?

Yes, basic QR codes can be generated for free using many online tools. However, dynamic QR codes with tracking and editing features may require a paid service.

• Can I put a QR code on a flyer or poster?

Yes, QR codes work well on flyers, posters, leaflets, packaging, menus and business cards. They are a simple way to connect printed materials with online content.

• Do QR codes expire?

Static QR codes do not usually expire, but they will stop being useful if the link or content behind them changes. Dynamic QR codes may depend on the platform or subscription you use.

• What is the difference between a static and dynamic QR code?

A static QR code has a fixed destination that cannot be changed later. A dynamic QR code lets you update the destination after printing and often includes tracking data.

• What size should a QR code be for print?

A QR code should be large enough to scan easily. For many printed items, around 2 to 3 cm square is a useful minimum, although larger sizes may be needed for posters or signs viewed from further away.

• Can I customise the design of a QR code?

Yes, you can customise colours, add branding and adjust the style, but it still needs strong contrast, enough clear space and a scannable structure.

• Do QR codes still work in 2026?

Yes, QR codes are still widely used and remain one of the easiest ways to link printed materials with digital content.

• Are QR codes better than short URLs?

It depends on the situation. QR codes are often better for quick mobile access, while short URLs can work well when people may want to type the address manually.

• What can replace QR codes?

Alternatives include short URLs, NFC tags, custom landing page URLs and some AR experiences. However, QR codes remain the most accessible and widely recognised option for most print uses.

Final Thoughts

QR codes have moved well beyond novelty. They now play a practical role in helping printed materials do more, whether that means driving traffic, simplifying customer journeys or making packaging and marketing more interactive.

For businesses using print, that makes them a useful tool rather than just a design extra. They are easy to generate, simple for customers to use and flexible enough to support everything from posters and flyers to menus, business cards and packaging.

Used well, a QR code can make print feel more connected, measurable and useful.