Short links for print: a code you can still change after printing.
Print is permanent, destinations are not. Put a short link behind the QR code so the flyer in someone's hand keeps working.
Anywhere a person can't click.
Flyers and posters
Send passers-by to a landing page and count how many scanned.
Menus and table cards
Point at today's menu and update it without reprinting.
Packaging and labels
Link to instructions, warranty registration or reorder pages.
Business cards
A short link under the QR code is easy to type if scanning fails.
Events and signage
Different link per stand, session or banner, so each is measured.
Direct mail
Give every mailing its own link to compare sends.
Practical rules for printed codes.
Size and space
Print the code at least about 2 × 2 cm and leave a clear margin of around four modules on every side.
Contrast
Dark code on a light background is the safest. Logos in the centre are fine, but test them.
Test on real phones
Scan the proof on an iPhone and an Android phone, from the distance people will actually be at.
Decide where old codes should go.
An archived link stops redirecting, so a printed code that points at it will lead to a not-found page. When a campaign ends, change the link's destination to something that is still useful, such as your home page or a "this offer has ended" page, rather than archiving it.
Create a separate short link, and QR code, for each placement. A scan is counted as a click on the link behind the code, so that is what keeps the numbers apart.
Print it once, update it forever.
Create a free account, make a short link and style the QR code for your next print run.
Common questions
How big should a QR code be on a flyer? +
As a rule of thumb at least around 2 × 2 cm, larger if people scan from further away, with a clear margin around it.
What happens to old printed codes when a campaign ends? +
They keep working as long as the link is active. Change the destination to something relevant rather than archiving the link.
Can I change the destination after printing? +
Yes. The QR code contains the short link, not the destination, so editing the destination in the dashboard updates every printed copy.
Which file should I send to the printer? +
SVG when the printer accepts vector files, otherwise a high-resolution PNG. Both can be downloaded from the link's QR studio.