Qivo practical guides
QR codes for print: SVG, PNG and sizing
A large download alone does not guarantee a good printed code. Physical size, module density, material, scanning distance and print quality all matter.
For a print layout, start with SVG, keep a four-module margin, and print a sample at its final size.
When to choose SVG
SVG preserves the QR shapes as vector geometry. It is convenient for scaling business cards, packaging, labels and posters without pixelating the code. Make sure your layout software and print provider handle SVG correctly.
After importing, inspect the proportions, white background and cropping. An uploaded logo inside the SVG remains raster-based, so inspect its sharpness separately at larger sizes.
When PNG is sufficient
PNG is useful when a layout or print service accepts raster images only. Qivo offers 256, 512, 1024 and 2048 pixels. Enlarging a small PNG in an editor does not add new image detail.
An approximate physical size is: pixels ÷ ppi × 25.4 = millimeters. For example, 512 pixels at 300 ppi is about 43 mm. This is a resolution calculation, not a scanning guarantee or a universal minimum size recommendation.
Why one size cannot fit every QR code
A short link and a large contact card produce matrices with different densities. If both are printed equally small, the denser code has smaller modules.
People scan a business card nearby, but may scan a poster from a distance. Consider the actual distance and angle. For a small layout, shorten the content and simplify the design before deciding on its final size.
Margins, materials and colors
Leave clear space around the QR. The starting point is at least four modules on every side, without surrounding text, borders or cropping. Preserve the file’s white margin when placing it in your layout.
Lamination, gloss, folds, transparent materials and dark backgrounds can make scanning harder. Test a sample on the actual material you will use. A monitor preview alone is not enough.
Check before printing a batch
- Export the final version and check the decoded content.
- Print a sample at the intended physical size; avoid fit-to-page settings that change the scale.
- Try several phones, normal lighting, the expected distance and different angles.
- Make sure the code does not cross a fold or trim edge.
- Keep the tested final file separate from earlier drafts.
Sources and further reading
Prepared and maintained by Umind. Test these recommendations on your final layout and target devices.