Use SVG for anything printed or edited in a design tool: it’s a vector file, so it stays sharp at any size. Use PNG only where SVG isn’t accepted, such as some social networks, slide tools and email editors, and export it at the final size or larger.
Which format to use
| Format | SVG | PNG |
|---|---|---|
| Scaling | Sharp at any size | Blurs or turns jagged when enlarged |
| Best for | Print, signage, design tools | Web pages, email, slides and apps that refuse SVG |
| Where to get it | Add /qr to any zou.sh link |
The free QR code generator |
How to get a PNG
The /qr address of a zou.sh link always returns an SVG. For a PNG, paste the short link into the free QR code generator, choose a size and download the file. The code is drawn in your browser, with no sign-up and no watermark.
Pick a size at least as large as the final print. At 300 dots per inch, a common print resolution, a 3 cm (1.2 in) code needs about 355 pixels across.
Colors
Keep a dark code on a light background with strong contrast. Many phone cameras fail on light-on-dark or low-contrast codes. The generator lets you pick colors and warns you when the contrast is too low.
For print sizes and the margin a code needs, see What size should a printed QR code be?
Still stuck? Contact us.
