QR codes for posters — scannable from across the room

A QR on a poster turns a casual glance into a landing-page visit. qr.paps.jp generates the short URL for free; follow the distance / size table below so it actually scans from the viewing distance you're designing for.

Why use a QR code

Fixes the "small print nobody reads" problem

Printed URLs on posters are impossible to read at distance. A QR converts the "interested but too far away" audience into actual visits without them having to walk closer or memorise text.

You can measure actual scans

qr.paps.jp publishes free analytics at /report/<key> — scans by hour, by day, by region. For the first time, you can see how a printed poster performs numerically.

Multiple poster variants = free A/B test

Print two versions of the same poster with different headlines, assign a separate short URL to each, and compare scan counts. The winning headline is now a measurable decision for next time.

Step by step

Decide the viewing distance
A4 flyer in a rack: 50 cm. A2 wall poster: 2 m. Outdoor billboard: 5-10 m. Divide viewing distance by 10 for minimum QR size in cm.
Shorten the destination URL
Paste the event / landing-page URL into qr.paps.jp. Use a custom slug like qr.paps.jp/event2026 so the typed URL is still memorable.
Download the high-DPI PNG
qr.paps.jp outputs print-quality PNGs. Scale up for large formats without pixelation.
Lay out on the poster
Bottom-right or bottom-left corner, with at least 1 cm of white quiet zone. Always add an action line like "Scan to see details".
Test before the final print
Print a scaled-down proof and scan from the planned viewing distance. Even minor press variations can push you below scan threshold.

Specification

A4 (rack flyer)	3-4 cm sq / 50 cm viewing distance
A3 (wall)	5-6 cm sq / 1 m
A2 (wall)	8-10 cm sq / 2 m
Outdoor billboard	40-60 cm sq / 5-10 m
Error correction level	Q or H (ink dot tolerance)
Placement	Corner, 1 cm quiet zone

Tips from the field

Rule of thumb: QR size in cm × 10 = max reliable scan distance in cm.
Always add an instruction line. A naked QR tells nobody what to expect.
Outdoor-weathered colour drifts. White background with black (or deep-dark) modules survives sun fade and rain.
Use the post-event analytics to pick the right placement location next time.

Frequently asked

Q. How big should a poster QR be?

A. At least 1/10th of the viewing distance in cm. A4 at 50 cm = 3-4 cm sq. A2 at 2 m = 8-10 cm sq. Outdoor at 5-10 m = 40-60 cm sq.

Q. Can I see how many people scanned?

A. Yes. /report/<key> publishes hourly, daily, regional scan counts for every qr.paps.jp short URL. No login required.

Q. Does outdoor fade affect scanning?

A. Use white background with dark foreground, and lamination or UV-resistant printing. Error correction level Q or H handles minor dirt and tears.

Create a poster QR for free

Create QR code →

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