QR Code Marketing
Behind the Code
QR Codes can link to a website, send an SMS text message, contain business card info for uploading into your phones address book, send a tweet, bookmark a website, add an event to your calendar, send an email, make a phone call and more.
Barcode size – Minimum 2cm x 2cm. At this size, a barcode can hold up to 60 characters. The barcode size increases as data contained within the barcode increases.
URL length – the longer your web address the more dense your QR Code pixels, this increases the risk of the phone’s camera and reader software being unable to read the codes. If your web address is long, try using a URL shortening software before generating the QR Code.
White space surrounding the barcode (quiet zone)- for best results, we suggest at least 4mm. of white space around the barcode.
Scanning distance – A 2cm x 2cm barcode can be scanned from 10cm away. To scan over further distances you will need a larger barcode.
Display surface – For best results, it is recommended to display the barcode on a flat surface.
Vehicle – barcodes can be displayed on a variety of mediums including newspapers, magazines, brochures, business cards, promo items, packaging, posters, and video/computer screens.
Contrast - it is recommended that the foreground of your code be darker in color than the background and have the greatest amount of contrast from the background to enable most QR Code readers and phone cameras to read your code.
Printing your code – QR codes are generated in RGB color (even if they appear black and white on screen) and to guarantee the highest resolution output from a digital or offset printer, it is recommended to change the color scale of the image to CMYK or gray scale before sending the file to your printer. The smaller your code the more important is crisp image resolution. So if you improperly enlarge your image from a low res file size or type, your code may end up too fuzzy to read even though it is a larger size.
Create Free QR Codes
There are many websites where you can create free QR Codes with some requiring you to create a login and password. Here is one that is easy and quick to use and there is no need to create a profile: quikqr.com
Free QR Code reader for your phone
Go to your phones marketplace and download a free QR Code reader like Qrafter for iPhone, Scanlife or try i-nigma‘s reader.
Interested in a custom demonstration of QR Code technology and information on back end tracking analytics? Would you like to discuss application, strategy and tracking effectiveness of QR Codes for upcoming marketing campaigns?
Contact Shannon at DPD today to set up a brief meeting.
