WATERLIL GUIDES · UPDATED SEPTEMBER 23, 2026
Prepare a QR code for print
Choose an export format, preserve the white border and test the actual material before ordering prints.
PNG or SVG?
| Format | Useful for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| PNG | Word processors, slides and image-based layouts | Enlarging a small raster image can soften its edges. |
| SVG | Design applications and scalable print artwork | Check that your printer or editor supports SVG and preserves the white background. |
Waterlil exports PNG at 512, 1024 or 2048 pixels square. These are file dimensions, not a promise of scan distance. As a resolution example, 1024 pixels placed across two inches is 512 pixels per inch. That arithmetic does not guarantee scanning: content density, material, lighting and camera focus still matter.
The white border is part of the code
A standard QR code needs a clear margin four modules wide on every side. A module is one small square in the symbol. Waterlil includes this margin in its exports. Do not crop it away, place text on top of it or allow a colored background to cover it. This requirement is described by DENSO WAVE's code-area guide.
Choose size using a proof, not a universal minimum
A short web address usually produces a less dense pattern than a long message. At the same physical size, the denser pattern has smaller individual squares. Make a few proofs at different sizes and test them at the expected viewing distance. Choose the size that works consistently in the real location, with room for variation in cameras and lighting.
A practical print check
- Keep the code square; do not stretch it to fit a narrow box.
- Use a dark foreground on the included white background.
- Print on the intended stock at the intended scale, with scaling settings checked.
- Test after lamination or placing it behind glass: glare can change the result.
- Scan with more than one phone and check the destination.
- Print a readable fallback URL beside the code.
Higher error correction is not a substitute for adequate size, a clear margin or a sharp print. If a proof fails, correct the layout and retest before ordering the full run.
Ready to make your code?
Open the free QR generator. If a step does not match your experience, send us a correction or question.