How to Make a QR Code: a Step-by-Step Guide for Every Type

Making a QR code takes under 60 seconds. The main choice you need to make upfront is what you want it to do and whether it needs to be editable after printing. Everything else is a short form.

Step 1: Decide what the QR should do

Match your intent to a QR type:

• Open a website: URL type. Paste the full link including https://.
• Share WiFi: WiFi type. Enter the network name, password, and security type (WPA2, WPA3, or open).
• Save a contact: vCard type. Fill in name, phone, email, company, and optional photo URL.
• Open a WhatsApp chat: WhatsApp type. Enter the phone number with country code and an optional pre-filled message.
• Trigger a phone call: Phone type. Enter the number. Scan prompts the dialler.
• Point to a PDF or file: File type. Upload the file and a hosted download link is created.
• Accept payment: UPI type for Indian UPI, Crypto type for Bitcoin or Ethereum.
• Share your business card: Digital bizcard type. A hosted profile page is created with a Save-to-contacts button.
• Get more Google reviews: Google Review type. Scan opens your specific Google review form.

If you are not sure, start with the URL type and link to the relevant destination page.

Step 2: Choose static or dynamic

Static QR: the data is baked into the QR pattern. No server needed. Free forever. Cannot be edited after download. Best for WiFi passwords, contacts, payment addresses, and anything that will not change.

Dynamic QR: the QR points at a short redirect link on QRSprint. You can change the destination from your dashboard at any time without changing the printed code. Every scan is counted. Best for marketing materials, print campaigns, product packaging, and anything where you want flexibility or scan data.

To create a dynamic QR on QRSprint, create a free account and turn on the Dynamic toggle in the generator before downloading.

Step 3: Open the right generator and fill it in

Go to /qr on QRSprint. You will see cards for every type. Click the type you chose. Fill in the form fields (usually one to three fields). The QR preview updates live as you type. For a URL QR it is just one field: the link.

Step 4: Add a logo and colors (optional)

In the design panel below the form, you can:

• Upload a centre logo (PNG, SVG, or JPG). Keep it under 20% of the QR area.
• Change the dot color (foreground) and background color. Keep high contrast, dark on light.
• Change the dot shape and corner style in the Advanced tab.

Logo and color customization is available free with no signup for static codes.

Step 5: Download PNG or SVG

Click Download PNG for digital use (email, social, screens, digital screens). Click Download SVG for print (stickers, posters, business cards, packaging). SVG scales to any print size without losing sharpness. For static QR codes no account is needed and there is no watermark.

Step 6: Test before printing at scale

This step is consistently skipped and consistently regretted. Before printing 500 flyers or ordering 1,000 stickers:

1. Scan the downloaded file with your own phone.
2. Scan it with one Android phone and one iPhone if both audiences will use it.
3. For print output, print a single test copy and scan the printed result from the camera distance the end user will actually be at.
4. Check the destination: does the URL open the right page? Does the WiFi join the right network?

Making a QR code for specific scenarios

For a business card

Use the vCard or bizcard type. The vCard type encodes a contact record directly in the QR (static, no server). The bizcard type creates a hosted page with a Save-to-contacts button and links, which is more flexible but requires a free account. For a print business card, vCard is simpler. For a digital business card page, bizcard is better.

For a restaurant menu

Use the Menu type or upload a PDF via the File type. The menu builder hosts your menu online and generates a QR that points to it. You can edit dishes, prices, and categories without reprinting the QR.

For a marketing campaign

Use a dynamic URL QR. This lets you change the landing page later and see per-scan data (date, city, device) in your dashboard. Add UTM parameters to the destination URL so scans appear in Google Analytics.

For a vehicle or luggage tag

Use the Security QR type. A scan rings you via in-app call. Your real phone number is never shown on the sticker. Useful for cars, bikes, luggage, and anything you want to be contactable about without a public phone number.

Formats: when to use PNG vs SVG

• PNG: 300x300 px is enough for digital use. For print at a known size, use at least 10x the print size in pixels: a 3cm sticker needs at least a 1,200 px PNG.
• SVG: No resolution limit. Use for any print job where you don't know the final size, or where quality is critical. Open in Illustrator, Inkscape, or send directly to a print service.

Common mistakes

• Too small to scan reliably: Minimum 2cm x 2cm printed. Bigger is always safer.
• Low contrast: Light grey dots on white background fail on cheap cameras. Use dark on light or light on very dark.
• Logo too large: Over 25% coverage and the error-correction budget runs out. Keep it under 20%.
• Not testing the printed result: A digital scan can differ from a scan of a printed-and-laminated sticker. Always test the final physical output.
• Static QR for a destination that changes: If you know the URL will change, use dynamic QR from the start.