QR Codes on Flyers
A QR code on a flyer closes the gap between paper and screen. Instead of hoping someone types a long web address, a single scan takes them to your landing page, offer or video while the flyer is still in their hand.
How to use it
Choose your destination
Decide where the flyer should send people — a landing page, booking link, video or offer page with tracking.
Generate a URL QR code
Paste the link into the generator and add your brand colours so the code matches the flyer design.
Size it for the viewing distance
Make the code at least one-tenth of the distance it will be read from, and leave a clean quiet zone.
Add a call to action
Label the code clearly, for example "Scan for 20% off". Always test the print proof.
Tips for best results
Add tracking to your link
Use UTM tags like ?utm_source=flyer so you can measure exactly how many scans convert.
Give the code room to breathe
Blank space around the code is not wasted design — it is what makes the scan instant.
One clear call to action
A single obvious reason to scan works far better than several competing messages.
Match the link to the flyer
Send people to a page that reflects the flyer's offer, not a generic homepage, so the scan feels worth it.
Best practices
High contrast only
Dark dots on a light panel always scan best. If the flyer is busy, drop the code into a plain white block.
Test at real size
Print a draft and scan it from where a reader would stand. Phone cameras behave differently on paper than on screen.
Avoid glossy finishes over the code
High-gloss coatings can create glare that blocks scanning under certain lights. Keep the code area matte where possible.
Never invert the colours
Light dots on a dark background look modern but many scanners fail on them, so keep light backgrounds behind the code.
Design examples
Offer flyer
A bold headline with a corner code labelled "Scan to claim your discount" linking to a coupon page.
Event flyer
An event code that adds the date and venue straight to the reader's calendar.
Video flyer
A code that opens a product demo video, with a caption inviting people to watch.
Frequently asked questions
Use at least one-tenth of the scanning distance. For an A5 flyer read from about 40 cm, a code of roughly 3–4 cm works well. Bigger is safer when in doubt.
Yes. Add UTM parameters to your URL before generating the code, then read the results in your analytics tool to see traffic from that specific flyer.
A dedicated landing page almost always performs better, because it can repeat the flyer's offer and guide the reader to one clear action.
Static codes never expire. The code keeps working for as long as the link stays live, so a flyer can stay useful for months.
Keep dark dots on a light background for reliable scanning. You can tint the dots to match your brand, but avoid low-contrast combinations.
Place it near the end of the reading flow, usually bottom-right or beside the main call to action, so the eye reaches it after the message.