Like the Huns in Mulan, a QR Code Generator is a potent tool. Now that QR Codes are popping out of the snow like daisies. You can now find them enhancing your favorite product packaging or optimizing the effectiveness of your business cards and resumes.
That said, if you’re still intrigued by the potential of these QR Codes, I have some answers for you. Nowadays, the newer versions of smartphones have an integrated QR Code reader in the phone camera, such as Bixby Vision for Samsung and the iOS 11 operating system for Apple.
But no worries. If your phone does not have a QR Code reader, there are many options in the app stores that are easy to download and use, with just the touch of a button. We’ve prepared a guide for Android and iOS to make it easier.
What Is A QR Code?
Basically, “QR” stands for “Quick Response,” which refers to instant access to the information hidden in the Code. It also refers to the speed at which it can be read. It’s a two-dimensional barcode that can be scanned with a smartphone to access the information encoded in it. Most QR Codes are either Static or Dynamic.
To enumerate, a Static QR Code contains fixed and uneditable information once the Code has been generated. They are great for personal use and QR Code API, a key to creating large batches of Codes for employee IDs, event badges, technical product documentation, etc.
On the other hand, because of their fixed nature, they are not ideal for businesses or marketing campaigns, as Static Codes do not track metrics or allow for editing post-creation.
Examples of Static QR Codes:
| Type | Description |
|---|---|
| WiFi | Make it easier for your friends and family to connect to your home network, or for guests to access your business WiFi with a simple scan of this QR Code. |
| Bitcoin | By turning your Bitcoin or other crypto address into a QR Code, you will smooth out your cryptocurrency transactions, with the option of adding a label indicating the receiver and amount requested. |
| Plain Text | Display up to 300 characters and the chance to offer your customers any message in any language, regardless of internet access. |
| vCard | If you have printed business cards, share your email address, phone number, website URL, and your company details instantly with a simple scan of a vCard Code. |
| You can provide customers with a convenient way to contact you with this Code. A pre-filled message can be sent with the simple tap of a button, with customers having the option of also editing before sending it. |
About Dynamic QR Codes:
Usually, Dynamic QR Codes allow you to update, edit and change the type of the QR Code however many times you need, which makes them the best fit for business and marketing purposes.
As mentioned earlier, when explaining the QR Code basics, the more information you input into a Static QR Code, the more complex the structure becomes. For a Dynamic Code, however, the content you present to scanners is not directly contained in the Code. But instead, has a short redirection URL assigned to it.
That means the code remains small and is easier to integrate into your print material and packaging design. Capturing and measuring your advertising statistics each time a Dynamic Code is scanned is, perhaps, the best feature for optimizing marketing campaigns.
You can access when, where, and with what device a scan took place. You can add campaign info like medium, start and end date, and print run, and you can even reset scans and download results as a CSV report.
Examples of Dynamic QR Codes:
| Type | Description |
|---|---|
| App Store | Linking to multiple app stores with just one scan, makes the promotion and download of your mobile apps much more efficient by reaching a wider target audience, regardless of the scanner’s cellular operating system. |
| Digital magazines, brochures, eBooks, with this Code can simultaneously boost your marketing, save on printing costs, and offer customers the chance to save and share documents all from the palm of their hand. | |
| Social Media | Share all of your social media platforms on a mobile-friendly landing page. Whether it’s Twitter, Snapchat, YouTube, or Instagram, your audience can choose which platform to follow you on. |
| Coupon | Remove the hassle of couponing for your customers with this Code. With one scan, they can save your promotion to their mobile devices, share it on social media or by email, and redeem it with ease at your nearest location or online store. |
| Business Page | Let your audience get to know you a little better at their own convenience. If you don’t have a website, then this QR Code is the perfect, mobile-friendly platform to let customers know your mission statement, how to reach you, your physical store locations, opening hours, and how to find you with Google Maps. |
What Is A QR Code Generator?
A QR Code Generator is a two-dimensional version of the Barcode Reader. Typically, it’s made up of black-and-white pixel patterns. Not to mention, Denso Wave — a Japanese subsidiary of the Toyota supplier Denso — developed them for marking components. They did so to accelerate logistics processes for their automobile production.
And now, it has found its way into mobile marketing with the widespread adoption of smartphones. The quick response, or QR, Code is a two-dimensional version of the Barcode able to convey a wide variety of information. Almost instantly with the scan of a mobile device. They can store up to 7089 digits or 4296 characters.
Related Topic: Barcode Reader: Free Online Web Application
Including punctuation marks and special characters. Equally, the QR Code Generator can encode words and phrases like internet addresses. One thing to remember, especially when designing the Static QR Codes aesthetic, is that more data is added.
Whereby, the more the size increases, and its structure becomes more complex. Even when damaged, the QR Code’s structure data keys include duplications. It is thanks to these redundancies that allow up to 30% of the Code structure to take damage without affecting its readability on scanners.
A Brief History of the QR Code
In 1994, DENSO WAVE, a subsidiary manufacturing company, required a better, faster, more robust technology for the Barcode. To process higher amounts of characters. As well as to aid them in tracking vehicles and parts.
Masahiro Hara with a team of two undertook the task of developing what we now know and recognize as the QR Code Generator. One of the most challenging problems for Hara and his team was figuring out a way to make 2D codes read as fast as possible.
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While preventing false recognition once the shape of the position detection pattern was added. But, it needed to be unique. Meaning, the development team spent the better part of a year doing a survey of the white to black areas’ ratio.
Especially after reducing them to patterns on printed material. The results? They identified the ideal ratio as 1:1:3:1:1. Certainly, by identifying this number, they were able to determine the black and white areas in the position detection pattern.
All this enabled the Code to be detected regardless of the scanning angle. In short, this unique ratio simply meant you could scan it from up, down, left or right. Though the initially targeted field for QR Code use was the manufacturing industry, there was a rise of smartphone use too.
Get Started: #1 QR Code Generator to Create QR Codes with Logo
And the fact that it remained without a patent meant it became an open-source technology, available to anyone and everyone. As of today, you can now find QR Codes stylishly delivering great amounts of information. While at the same time, redefining the print to digital marketing scene.
We know you thirst for more knowledge, so to find out about the different kinds of Codes, like the Micro QR Code, for instance, you can check out this blog.
How A QR Code Generator Works
Marketers had high hopes for QR codes at the beginning of this decade. However, QR codes didn’t quite meet the expectations, and it’s safe to say that by now, the enthusiasm around them has died down a lot (at least in the West). But does that mean you should abandon the dream of bridging the gap between the “real” world and the digital world with this technology? Not necessarily.
In fact, in some regions of Southeast Asia, QR code usage is actually booming. Creative use of QR codes in marketing can still produce excellent results in this century. Depending on your phone, you might be able to scan it with your camera, or you might need to download an app.
Here are just but a few mentions:
- Scan a QR code with your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch (no app needed)
- Scan a QR code with your Android phone (no app needed)
It’s the 90s, and you have just ejected your video cassette, leaving the square TV screen in a state of static white noise. Visually, that is what comes to mind when some people look at the QR Code—a complex matrix of black and white squares.
As Chris Woodford explained in his Explain That Stuff article, although each QR code is different, they share standard vital features.
Their common key features include:
- Quiet Zone: This empty white border isolates the code from the other printed information around it.
- Finder Patterns: The three squares in the corners make it clear that this is indeed a QR code (and not any other type of two-dimensional code).
- Alignment Pattern: It ensures that the code can be deciphered even if it’s distorted (for example, printed on a curved surface).
- Timing Pattern: This pattern runs horizontally and vertically between the three finder patterns. It helps to identify individual data cells within the code.
- Version Information: Version information shows which QR code standard is being used in that particular code.
- Data Cells: Each square that is not a part of the standard features is a data cell that contains information.
Though looking like a pixelated image, each one of those squares is actually a marker serving a greater function in the information-sharing capabilities of the Code. Let’s have a look at some of the key features included in a QR Code Generator below:
1. Detection Markers
Located at three corners of each code, a Detection Marker allows a scanner to accurately recognize the Code and read it at high speed. While indicating the direction in which the Code is printed. They essentially help quickly identify the presence of a QR Code in an image and it’s orientation.
2. Alignment Markings
Smaller than the position detection markers, they help straighten out QR Codes drawn on a curved surface. And, the more information a Code stores, the larger it is and the more alignment patterns it requires.
3. Timing Pattern
Alternating black/white modules on the QR Code with the idea of accurately helping configure the data grid. Using these lines, the scanner determines how large the data matrix is.
4. Version Information
With currently 40 different QR Code versions, these markers specify the one that is being used. The most common ones are versions 1 to 7.
5. Format Information
The format patterns contain information about the error tolerance and the data mask pattern and make it easier to scan the Code.
6. Correction Keys
The error correction mechanism inherent in the QR Code structure is where all your data is contained. Also sharing the space with the error correction blocks that allow up to 30% of the Code to be damaged.
7. Quiet Zone
This is similar to the importance of white space in design, that is it offers structure and improves comprehension. For whom or what you may ask? For the scanning program. In order to distinguish the QR Code from its surroundings, the quiet zone is vital.
How To Create Your Custom QR Code With Logo
In the first place, QRCodeMonkey is the professional studio for the QR Code Management platform. Allowing you to create, track and edit all your QR codes in one place. And it’s one of the Free QR Code Generator web platforms for High-Quality QR Codes, and the QR-code generator is included. Secondly, it comes with millions of already-created QR codes.
The high resolution of the QR codes and the robust design options make it one of the best free QR code generators on the web. Eventually, that can be used for commercial and print purposes.
QRCode Monkey also has no limitations. All generated QR codes will work forever, do not expire, and have no scanning limits like you see at other commercial QR code generators. The created QR codes are static, so the only limitation is that you can’t edit the QR code again. Uniquely, it provides you with:
(a). QR Codes with Logo
Put a custom brand on your QR code. With QRCode Monkey, it is effortless and straightforward to add a logo to your QR Code. The QR codes are still readable.
Every QR code can have an error correction of up to 30%. This means 30% of the QR code (excluding the corner elements) can be removed and the QR code is still working. They can put a logo image on the QR code that covers up to 30%.
(b). Custom Design and Colors
Make your QR code look really unique with our design and color options. You can customize the shape and form of the corner elements and the body of the QR code.
In addition, you can also set your own colors for all QR code elements. Add a gradient color to the QR code body and make it really stand out. Bearing in mind, attractive QR codes can increase the number of scans.
(c). High-resolution QR Codes for Print
QRCode Monkey offers print-quality QR codes with high resolutions. When creating your QR code set the pixel size to the highest resolution to create .png files in print quality.
You can also download vector formats like .svg, .eps, .pdf for best possible quality. But, I recommend the .svg format. Why? Simply, because it includes all design settings. And then, it gives you the perfect print format that can be used with most vector graphic software.
(d). QR Code Vector Formats
Most free QR code makers only allow creating QR codes in low resolutions and do not offer vector formats. Use the offered vector formats to print QR Codes in huge resolutions. Without losing your set format quality.
In that case, I recommend the .svg format for further editing. Since the offered .pdf and .eps formats only support classic QR codes without the design and logo options.
(e). Free for commercial usage
All generated QR Codes are 100% free and can be used for whatever you want. This includes all commercial purposes. You’re also allowed to set custom QR content too in your QR Code designs.
Here is how to Get Started easy:
1. Set QR Content:
Select a content type at the top for your QR code (URL, Text, Email…). After selecting your type you will see all available options. Enter all fields that should appear when scanning your QR code. Make sure everything you enter is correct because you can’t change the content once your QR code is printed.
2. Customize Design:
Do you want your QR code to look unique? Set a custom color and replace the standard shapes of your QR code. The corner elements and the body can be customized individually. Add a logo to your QR code. Select it from the gallery or upload your own logo image. You can also start with one of the templates from the template gallery.
3. Generate QR Code:
As such, set the pixel resolution of your QR code with the slider. Click the “Create QR Code”-button to see your qr code preview. But, please make sure your QR code is working correctly first. By scanning the preview with your QR Code scanner. Use a high-resolution setting if you want to get a png code with print quality.
4. Download as an Image:
And now, you can download the image files for your QR code as .png or .svg, .pdf, .eps vector graphic. If you want a vector format with the complete design please choose .svg. SVG is working in software like Adobe Illustrator or Inkscape. The logo and design settings currently only work for .png and .svg files.
More About QR Codes:
- In Marketing
- On Materials
- For Business
- For Education
- Nonprofits
- Personal Use
- Holidays & Occasions
- PRO Features
With that in mind, you can see more info here: https://qrcode.studio. Or even start creating and generating yours here.
Final Thoughts,
OR Codes are gaining popularity because of their versatility. For example, you can use them to gather feedback to improve your products or services. Likewise, you can even use them to increase your customer engagement with images or videos. Or even promote your business via events and coupons. All of these can be done with just a single scan!
The QR Code has also evolved so much over the last few years. It is no longer constrained to character, numbers, and kanji. With a customizable, mobile-friendly landing page, for instance, you no longer need to link to a website in order to provide your audience with information.
Additionally, it can store a gallery of pictures, video playlist, sound demo, PDF, information on how to reach you or your business, and so much more. This truly makes it a one-stop QR Code solution for marketers and businesses.
More Useful Sources:
- ZXing Decoder Online
- QR & Barcode Scanner – Apps on Google Play
- Free Online Barcode and QR Code Scanner – Dynamsoft
Finally, I hope the above-revised guide was useful to you or your team. But, if you’ll need more support, you can Contact Us and let us know how we can help you.
Not forgetting, you can also share your additional opinion thoughts, suggestions, recommendations, contributions, or even questions in our comments section below.
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