Say you’re an author and you want to engage readers via your books. So you decide on adding images to make your text more captivating.
Or assume you’re a product manufacturer. And you need to show an infographic on how to use the product via its user manual.
What will you do here? Print the required images, right?
But there’s a problem. Sometimes you have a limited print space that keeps you from printing images.
What do you then do?
There are three possible ways you can show relevant images to your audience:
1. By printing the image
This is the most obvious and easiest way to share an image with your target audience. Just print it wherever you want and you’re good to go.
But as discussed above, often the limited print space keeps you from doing this.
2. Via a web link
Thinking how this would work?
Here’s how:
i. Upload the image to a cloud storage site such as Google Drive or DropBox
ii. Copy the shareable link to this image and add it to the print material
That simple. Just make sure you add an instruction (a call-to-action statement) such as ‘Visit here to view the image’ along with the link. It will tell users what to do or what to expect after opening it.
They will then have to open the link to view the image.
However, they’ll have to pull out their phone to open the browser, tediously type the entire link, and finally view the image.
This is a long process and needs them to put both time and effort. Well, to be honest, many of them will skip doing it.
What you can rather do here is—make it easier for them to take action. How?
3. Via a QR Code
Wondering what will a QR Code do here? Well, it will help your target audience view the image easily.
Just add a QR Code to your print media material along with an appropriate CTA. When users scan it, they’ll see the encoded image on their phone screen. That simple!
Users will no longer have to type the entire link in their browsers. All that they’d need to do is—scan the QR Code and view the image.
We call it—an Image QR Code.
B. Image QR Code
You’ve seen QR Codes being used for promotions, payments, marketing, and many other use cases.
Similarly, they can also be used to show an image to the end-users.
An Image QR Code, when scanned, helps end users view the encoded image. This is just like an Audio QR Code that helps you listen to an audio clip. Or a PDF QR Code that helps you download the encoded PDF on your phone.
What you simply need to do here is—head on to a QR Code generator, create an Image QR Code for the required picture, and add it to your print media creatives.
And you can even customize this QR Code. Yes, you can actually add colors and even a logo to make the QR Code look more personalized. It will help your QR Code act as a point-of-engagement. And attract as many scans as possible
In addition, you can also change the image encoded in the QR Code. Yet your QR Code will remain the same. How?
Well, an Image QR Code is dynamic in nature. And dynamic QR Codes are both editable ad trackable.
That means you can edit (replace) the image anytime you want. And you can even monitor analytics such as how many people have scanned your QR Code. Where did they do it from. Or when did they do it.
This is unlike a Static QR Code which is permanent in nature. That means once you create it, you cannot edit it. To edit the content, you will have to create a new QR Code altogether. And a static QR Code is also not trackable.
C. What are the use cases of an Image QR code
You can use an image QR Code wherever the limited print space keeps you from adding images. Some of these use cases include:
i. Showing diagrams, blueprints, or illustrations in a text-book
ii. Sharing infographics on how to use a product via its packaging
iii. Showing pictures of a person
iv. Sharing any PNG or JPG images containing relevant information (tables, graphs, slides, etc.)
In fact, many image galleries are also using Image QR Codes today. Why? To help visitors get a soft copy of a painting or artifact in an exhibition.
Also, make sure you follow the best practices while using QR Codes in print media. For example—
1. Add a relevant CTA with your QR Code. It will push the users a little to take action. And you’ll be surprised to see how far a little nudge like this can go
2. Export the QR Code image a vector format such as SVG or EPS. It will make sure the image doesn’t pixelate when resized
3. Ensure there is enough contrast between the QR Code image and its background. If the QR Code is dark-colored, use a light color in the background and vice-versa
Now that you know what an image QR Code is, the next step is to create one.
D. How to create a QR Code from an image
To create a QR Code form an Image, you’ll first need an online QR Code generator that offers this category.
Here comparison chart for the top QR Code generators online to help you decide the best QR Code for your requirements.
In the next guide, we will give you a step-by-step guide on how to create an Image QR Code.
Steps to create a QR Code
Using Scanova QR Code generator for a demo, here is how you can create a QR Code online from an image:
1. Go to Scanova and from the dashboard click on Create QR Code
2. From QR Code categories, select Image QR Code
3. Click Add More and upload the images that you want to encode into your QR Code. Note you can upload upto 20 images.
Once done, click on Continue.
4. Next, you will see the option to name your QR Code. Also, note that it will be a dynamic QR Code. Dynamic QR Codes allow you to edit the content anytime.
Static QR Codes are basic and cannot be edited once created.
Once you specify, click on Create QR Code.
5. Now, on the page you land, you will be able to see QR Code details.
Below the QR Code image, you will be able to see the edit design option. Click on the option to customize your QR Code.
6. You’ll see two QR Code design options:
Custom logo design: With this QR Code, you can add a logo, and choose from other customization options.
Custom background design: Here, you can merge a semi-transparent QR Code on a background image.
7. Once your QR Code is ready, you will be able to see a preview. If everything looks fine, click on Download.
8. Once you click, a window will pop up to Sign Up. Here, you can create your account and start with a 14-day free trial.
9. You will now be able to download the QR Code you created. For this, you need to tap on the QR Code. Here, you can add tags relevant to your QR Code. With this, you will be able to search for a QR Code by tags.
Furthermore, you can also edit the QR Code. We will detail this in the next section.
10. Once you click on the Download icon, a window will pop up. Here, you can choose an image format and size. Once done, click on Export.
That’s it. Your Image QR Code will be downloaded.
E. How to edit an Image QR Code
Say you’ve added the Image QR Code to a textbook. When scanned, it shows a diagram to help students understand the concept better.
But a year later, you find a better image to help them understand the topic.
Or say any use case, where you want to edit the QR Code. So instead of creating a new one, you can easily edit it.
Here’s how you can do it:
1. Login to your Scanova account and go to My QR Codes.
2. Select the QR Code you want to edit
3. Here you can edit the following things:
Content: You can edit the images you linked to a QR Code
Advance Settings: You can enable password protection, GPS location, and lead generation
Design: You can edit the design again the way you want to
4. Click Update QR Code
That’s it. Your QR Code will be updated. You can scan it to cross-check the changes.
You now know how to create a QR Code from an image. How does it work. Where can it be used. How to create one. And how to edit it.
An Image QR Code is an easier way to share an image with your target audience if the print space limits you from doing so. And change the encoded image anytime you want without creating a new QR Code altogether.
Still have any queries? Ask them in comments.
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