How to Make QR Code Stickers: Recommended Tools and Paper Guide

QR code stickers can store a wealth of data such as website URLs, social media URLs, payment information, and more. However, when creating QR code stickers, careful attention must be paid to aspects like size and color.

This article covers everything from how to create QR code stickers to recommended paper types and important considerations when producing them. If you are considering producing QR code stickers, please use this as a reference.

As a company specializing in labels and stickers, we produce a variety of stickers. Although we do not generate QR codes ourselves, we can produce stickers based on QR codes generated by your own resources. If you have any concerns regarding the production of QR code stickers for your products, please feel free to contact us using the link below.

How to Create QR Code Stickers

QR codes do not require contracts or licenses, meaning no special application is needed for generating or reading them.

There are primarily two methods for creating QR code stickers:

Method 1: Using a QR Code Generation Tool

First, we introduce the method using a QR code generation tool. With such a tool, even without technical expertise, you can easily generate QR codes, and many tools offer customization options.

Below is a summary of the main free QR code generation tools and their features.

QR Code Generation Tool	Features
Adobe Express	- A tool provided by Adobe - Recommended for those who want to generate simple QR codes
QR Code Chimp	- Offers a wide variety of designs - Recommended for those who are particular about design
QR no Susume	- Allows for simple generation with intuitive operation - Recommended for those who want to add decorative elements such as illustrations
QRCode Monkey	- Can generate various types of QR codes including text, business card, location, and Wi-Fi information - Recommended for those who want to customize with gradient colors, etc.
Kurukuru Manager	- Generates QR codes for URLs as well as text and Wi-Fi information - Includes performance measurement, making it useful for marketing

Although the production steps and input fields vary depending on the chosen tool, the general procedure for producing QR code stickers using a tool is as follows:

After printing, be sure to test the QR code with a smartphone to confirm that it reads correctly.

Method 2: Using a Browser (Chrome)

This method allows you to easily create QR code stickers using a browser (Chrome) without the need for a dedicated tool.
Follow the steps below:

If you are not particular about size or design, Chrome offers a simple way to generate QR codes. However, note that the QR codes generated by Chrome will display a dinosaur icon in the center.

If you wish to focus on design, we recommend using one of the QR code generation tools mentioned earlier.

Recommended Papers for QR Code Stickers: A Guide by Three Types

Here, we introduce recommended sticker papers for creating QR code stickers, divided into three types.

Type 1: Sticker Paper Recommended for Indoor Use

For QR code stickers used indoors, paper-based sticker paper is particularly recommended. Paper is more cost-effective than film and is well-suited for indoor environments where moisture is not a concern.

Below is a summary of recommended sticker papers and their features:

Type	Features
Premium Paper	- Recommended for use when applied to paper - Due to its absorbency, ink colors may appear slightly darker - Matte texture with a smooth feel
Art Coated Paper	- Recommended for vibrant color reproduction - Has a subtle gloss, enabling vivid printing - Offers a sleek, smooth feel

Previously, it was thought that glossy stickers made QR code reading difficult, but with improved scanning technology, this is now rarely an issue.

However, since any damage to the QR code can make it difficult to read, it is recommended to laminate or apply a film coating to enhance durability. This processing not only prevents damage to the QR code but also enables more reliable scanning.

For more details on Premium Paper and Art Coated Paper, please refer to the articles below.

Premium Paper | Enjoy the natural texture of paper at an affordable price.
What is Art Coated Paper? An Explanation of the Differences Between Premium, Mirror Coated, and Art Papers

Type 2: Sticker Paper Recommended for Outdoor Use

For outdoor applications, film-based sticker paper is recommended. It offers excellent water resistance and durability, making it suitable for outdoor and wet environments.

Below is a summary of recommended sticker papers for outdoor use and their features:

Type	Features
Yupo	- Recommended for outdoor, wet environments, refrigeration, or freezing - Excellent water resistance and durability - Also used for outdoor posters - Has a smooth, slick feel
White PVC	- Recommended for applications on cars or bicycles - Offers high durability and water resistance - Provides a slick, smooth feel

For more details on Yupo and White PVC, please refer to the following articles.

Yupo | An affordable film material with high durability.
PVC | A material with high durability, ideal for outdoor use.

Type 3: Sticker Paper Recommended for Producing Transparent Stickers

If you wish to produce transparent QR code stickers, transparent PET film is recommended.
Below is a summary of the features of transparent PET:

Type	Features
Transparent PET	- Transparent, so areas other than the printed portion are inconspicuous - Offers durability and water resistance - Has a smooth, even texture

However, when making stickers transparent, the QR code may become difficult to read.

If you choose to make transparent QR code stickers, consider printing not only the black portions of the code but also a white background to enhance color contrast and improve readability.

For more details on transparent PET sticker paper, please refer to the article below.

Transparent PET | A highly durable film material. (The yellow appearance is due to the backing paper.)

The Mechanism and Capacity of QR Codes

QR codes take their name from the term "Quick Response," indicating rapid readability. They were developed in 1994 by Denso Wave, Inc. in Japan.

As mentioned earlier, no application is required for producing or using QR codes, and they are available for free, which is why they are widely used by many companies and individuals.

The Mechanism of QR Codes

QR codes consist of dots arranged in both vertical and horizontal lines. They are made up of several components that store data and allow for quick scanning.

These components allow QR codes to be scanned quickly from any direction. Additionally, even if parts of a QR code are dirty or damaged, the data can still be read.

The Capacity of QR Codes

QR codes can store various types of data including numbers, English letters, Kanji, Hiragana, symbols, binary data, and control codes.

Below is a summary of the data capacities of QR codes:

Numbers	Up to 7,089 characters
English Letters (Alphabets)	Up to 4,296 characters
Kanji/Full-width Kana	Up to 1,817 characters
Binary (8-bit)	Up to 2,953 bytes

In contrast to barcodes, which typically can only store around 100 alphanumeric characters, QR codes can store far more data.

Four Examples of How to Use QR Code Stickers

Because QR codes can incorporate a great deal of information, they can be utilized in many scenarios. In this section, we present four examples of how QR code stickers can be used for inspiration.

Example 1: Directing to Your Website or Social Media

By attaching QR code stickers to business cards or shop cards, recipients can easily scan the code with their smartphones and smoothly access your website or social media pages.

This method is also effective in business settings to efficiently convey your company's information and track record to new contacts.

Example 2: Providing Campaign Information

Attaching QR code stickers to store posters or flyers is an effective way to communicate campaign details. With QR code stickers, you can easily direct customers to registration pages on LINE or follow pages on social media.

Additionally, by providing real-time information, you can strengthen customer engagement.

Example 3: Explaining Product Details

By placing QR code stickers on food labels, you can provide detailed explanations of product information. When customers scan the code with their smartphones, they can easily view information such as ingredient lists and producer details.

This additional product information helps deepen customer understanding and enhances trust in the product.

Example 4: Conducting Product Surveys

You can also use QR code stickers to conduct surveys. By placing QR code stickers on product packaging, customers can quickly scan the code to access an online survey form.

Gathering customer feedback on products via these surveys facilitates efficient data collection and analysis, which can be used to improve products or develop new ones.

Four Important Considerations When Creating QR Code Stickers

If QR code stickers cannot be read, they will not function properly even if produced.

Here, we introduce four key considerations when creating QR code stickers.

Consideration 1: Ensure the Size is Adequate for Easy Scanning

QR code stickers can be applied to small printed materials like business cards, but if they are too small, they may become difficult to scan.

An ideal size is at least 10 to 20mm on each side.

Increasing the size of the QR code sticker improves scanning accuracy. After printing, always test the sticker with a smartphone to ensure it scans correctly.

Consideration 2: Maintain Sufficient Margin (White Space)

When producing QR code stickers, ensure that there is adequate white space around the code.

Without sufficient margin, the information may not be recognized properly, resulting in scanning failures. A good rule of thumb is to set a margin of at least the width of four black cells on all sides of the QR code.

Consideration 3: Choose Colors with Clear Contrast

While it is generally recommended to print QR codes in black and white, it is possible to use other colors.

For accurate scanning, there must be a clear contrast between the QR code and its background. If the contrast is insufficient, scanning can become difficult. While blue or green QR codes can be relatively easy to read, yellow tones may blend too closely with a white background, making them hard to scan.

Also, when printing a white QR code on a dark background, even if there is contrast, some devices might fail to scan it correctly, so it is advisable to avoid such combinations.

In our tests, QR codes printed over foil stamping were successfully scanned. The test conditions were a foil area of φ24mm and a QR code size of 10×10mm.

For those who wish to learn more about these production processes or have specific design requirements, please refer to the article below.

We Printed a QR Code on Foil Stamping. What Were the Results?

Consideration 4: Review the Terms of Use for the Tool

When using free image generation services, including QR code generators, be sure to check the license and confirm that commercial use is permitted.

Most QR code generation tools do not require a license and allow commercial use. However, some tools may impose limits on the number or duration of generations. Always check the terms of use before using the tool.

Create QR Code Stickers That Meet Your Needs

This article explained how to create QR code stickers. With dedicated generation tools, QR codes can be easily produced for free. When producing them, pay close attention to size and color.

Furthermore, if you are producing QR code stickers for your products, it is recommended to work with a printing company. Although printing companies do not generate QR codes, they can produce QR code stickers based on your provided QR code data by selecting the appropriate material and adhesive to suit your needs.

As a company specializing in labels and stickers, we produce a wide range of products. If you have any concerns regarding the selection of materials or quality of QR code stickers, please feel free to consult with us using the link below.