QR code and barcode guides
Practical, tested answers for getting codes to scan and barcodes accepted. Each guide links to the tool it explains.
The complete QR code guide
Preparing links, choosing PNG or SVG, sizing for print and avoiding common mistakes.
QR Code Scams: How They Work and How to Stay Safe
Fake UPI codes, stickers over real QR codes, phishing emails with QR codes: how each scam works, what to check before you scan, and what to do if you were caught.
QR Code Size for Printing: How Big Should It Be?
How to choose a QR code print size from the scanning distance and data density, with a size table for cards, menus, posters and banners.
Why Is My QR Code Not Scanning? 12 Fixes
A checklist of the most common reasons a QR code will not scan, from low contrast and missing margins to broken links, and how to fix each one.
How to Add a Logo to a QR Code Without Breaking It
Safe logo sizes, the error correction level to use, contrast rules and file formats for putting a logo in the middle of a QR code.
Static vs Dynamic QR Codes: An Honest Comparison
What static and dynamic QR codes are, what each can and cannot do, and how to choose without getting locked into a subscription.
Barcode Types Explained: EAN, UPC, Code 128, Data Matrix and More
The common 1D and 2D barcode types, what each encodes, where they are used and how to pick the right one.
How to Calculate a Barcode Check Digit (EAN, UPC, ITF-14)
Step-by-step GS1 check digit calculation with worked examples for EAN-13, UPC-A and ITF-14, plus a spreadsheet formula.
How to Get Real Retail Barcodes (GS1 Numbers)
Why shops and marketplaces need GS1-issued barcode numbers, how to get them, and why cheap resold barcodes cause problems.