Scanworthy is built specifically for QR codes that go on physical materials. Every QR you design is automatically tested for scannability, optimized for print, and downloaded at high resolution. Most importantly, your free QR codes don't expire — so the menus, flyers, business cards, and signs you print today will keep working as long as your destination URL exists.
Design your QR — FreeA QR code on a screen can be regenerated in seconds. A QR code on a printed menu, product label, or building sign cannot. Once ink hits paper (or vinyl, or metal, or fabric), the QR code is permanent. If it doesn't scan, or if it expires because the generator put it behind a paywall, the entire print run is wasted.
Printed QR codes also face physical challenges that digital codes never encounter: varying lighting conditions, curved surfaces, paper texture, ink bleed, and scanning distance. A code that scans perfectly on your monitor might fail on a glossy menu under fluorescent lights.
Scanworthy addresses both problems. Our scannability check tests your design before download, and our free static codes have no expiration or server dependency. For a deeper look at what causes printed QR codes to fail, read our post on why printed QR codes stop working.
Follow these specifications to ensure your QR code scans reliably on any printed material:
For most print jobs, a free static QR code is the right choice. It encodes your URL directly, works forever, and has no dependency on any service. If the URL you're linking to is stable — your website homepage, a Google Maps listing, a fixed PDF — static is simpler and safer.
Choose a Smart QR when your destination might change after printing. Restaurants that update their menu URL seasonally, real estate agents who reuse signs across listings, and marketers running rotating campaigns all benefit from the ability to update a QR code's destination without reprinting.
Smart QR is $9/month, billed monthly, cancel anytime. If you cancel, the redirect continues working at the last destination you set. Your printed materials never break.
Run through this list before sending your design to the printer:
QR codes appear on nearly every type of printed material. Here are the most common use cases and what to keep in mind for each:
Best for standard print at known sizes. 1000×1000px (free) or 2000×2000px (Smart QR). Works well for business cards, flyers, and menus printed at standard sizes.
Vector format that scales to any size. Ideal for large-format printing like banners, posters, and vehicle wraps. Works with most design software and print shops.
Vector format with broad compatibility. Easy to send directly to a print shop. Embeds well into other PDF documents like brochure layouts or packaging templates.
Minimum 2cm x 2cm (about 0.8 inches) for close-range scanning like business cards or table tents. For signage scanned from a distance, scale up proportionally — a sign meant to be scanned from 3 feet away should have a QR code at least 6cm x 6cm. We recommend 3cm x 3cm or larger for most printed materials.
300 DPI or higher. Scanworthy's PNG downloads are 1000x1000 pixels on the free tier and 2000x2000 pixels on Smart QR, which is sufficient for prints up to about 3 inches (free) or 6 inches (Smart QR) at 300 DPI. For larger formats, download in SVG or PDF — these are vector formats that scale to any size without losing sharpness.
For most standard print jobs (business cards, flyers, menus), PNG at 1000x1000 or higher works well. For large-format printing (banners, posters, vehicle wraps), use SVG or PDF because they scale infinitely without pixelation. If your print shop asks for a specific format, SVG is the most universally accepted vector option.
Yes, as long as you maintain sufficient contrast between the dots and the background. Dark dots on a light background works best. Scanworthy tests your design for scannability before download and warns you if the contrast is too low. Avoid light dots on a light background or dark dots on a dark background.
If you used a free static QR code, the only reason it would stop working is if your destination URL changed or went offline. The QR code itself never expires. If you used a Smart QR and later cancelled your subscription, the redirect keeps working at the last destination you set. Read our guide on why printed QR codes stop working for a full troubleshooting checklist.
Yes. Scanworthy automatically increases error correction when you add a logo, allowing the QR to tolerate the covered area. We also limit logo size to prevent it from interfering with scanning. The scannability check runs before download, so you will know if your design has any issues before printing.
Scan-tested, high-resolution, and built to last. No signup required.
Design your QR — FreeScan Worthy provides QR code generation tools and print guidance, but is not responsible for print quality, scanning failures caused by printing methods, materials, colors, or environmental conditions outside our control. Always test your printed QR code before committing to a full print run. See our Terms of Service.