Start with a dependable baseline
Use dark modules on a solid light background, preserve a clear quiet zone, and export a vector file when the print workflow supports it. Avoid building the code directly over photography or texture. If brand artwork must surround it, place the QR code on its own simple panel.
| Material | Main risk | Adjustment |
|---|---|---|
| Uncoated paper | Ink spread and absorbency | Increase size slightly and avoid very dense payloads |
| Glossy paper or laminate | Reflections | Test under overhead light and consider matte lamination |
| Clear glass or acrylic | Changing background and glare | Add an opaque light backing behind the entire code |
| Curved bottle or cup | Geometric distortion | Keep the code away from the strongest curve and print larger |
| Fabric | Texture, folds, and ink migration | Use a large simple code on a stable, flat panel |
| Outdoor sign | Distance, weather, and fading | Increase size, use durable contrast, and inspect over time |
Paper and card
Business cards and flyers are forgiving when the code is sufficiently large and the stock holds sharp edges. Keep the code away from trim lines, folds, staples, rounded corners, and hole punches. On recycled or heavily textured stock, increase size and request a physical proof.
For table menus, matte surfaces usually scan more consistently than high-gloss finishes under spot lighting. If lamination is required for cleaning, test the laminated proof at the angles guests will use.
Glass and transparent plastic
A transparent background lets whatever is behind the sign become part of the QR code. A passing person, dark room, or bright window can change contrast from moment to moment. Place an opaque white or very light panel behind the code, including the full quiet zone.
Reflections can hide modules even when contrast is strong. Position the code away from intense point lights and test from several angles rather than only straight on.
Curved packaging
When a code wraps around a bottle or cup, the camera cannot see the full pattern in one plane. Keep the code within the flattest visible area, avoid seams, and orient the design so normal handling presents the code toward the scanner. Smaller containers need proportionally more care because the curve changes sharply across a short distance.
Fabric and apparel
Threads, stretch, and folds interrupt the square module grid. Heat transfers and patches are usually more predictable than direct printing on loose weave. Keep the artwork large, avoid long payloads, and place it on an area that can be held flat. A code across a pocket edge or side seam may distort during normal wear.
What to ask the printer
- Will the file remain vector through production?
- What is the minimum reliable line or dot size for this process?
- Will coating, varnish, laminate, or white ink cover the code?
- Can the printer supply a physical proof at final size?
- Is artwork scaling disabled or clearly documented?
Final approval belongs to the finished object. A PDF proof confirms content and layout, but only a physical proof reveals glare, texture, curvature, and real ink behavior.
Prepare print-ready artwork
Create the code, select a practical export, and test it with the material-specific checklist.
Create a QR code