How To Make Your Own QR Code? A Step-by-Step Guide for 2025!

What if your business card, flyer, or storefront could instantly connect with customers? A QR Code makes this possible—no coding needed! 

QR Codes are a surefire way to increase traffic, engagement, and sales. We’ll show you how to make your own QR Code in minutes.

So, let’s get straight to it!

A. Steps to make your own QR Code

Firstly, to create your own QR Codes, you’ll need a QR Code generator for that.  There are many free QR Code generators available online.  You can even create a custom QR Code with your logo. Let’s begin: 

1. Go to Scanova.

2. Then, choose the type of QR Code you want. That usually depends on what you want your QR Code to link to. For example, do you want it to be a URL, image, or interactive video? 

3. Next, fill in the details. For example, if it were a Website URL QR Code, paste your website and click “Continue.”

4. Then, on the next page, give your QR Code a catchy name or something you can remember it by, and then click “Create QR Code.”

5. You get a preview of your QR Code. Now, this is where the magic happens! You can now edit it by choosing “Edit Design” and see all the recommended designs. (Here, you change the look of your QR Code)

Let’s check out how to customize your QR Codes according to your use case. (Think QR Code design to make it attractive)

Scanova requires you to sign up for a free trial of their paid plans to use customization options. Check out the pricing details here.

I. Add a unique logo for a personal touch

The best way to do this is to include your business or occasion’s logo in the QR Code to reinforce branding.

You can access the “Custom Logo Design” option to upload your logo in PNG, JPG, or JPEG formats. (If you prefer text, you can create a text-based logo directly)

You can even resize your logo, add a stroke for better visibility, or remove data modules for a creative twist.

A branded logo ensures your QR Code reflects your business and builds user trust.

II. Choose colors and patterns that match your theme

You can also make your QR Code visually appealing by aligning it with your brand’s theme or event colors.

Use the “Continue Editing” option to adjust the colors of the “Eyes” and data modules.

The “Eyes” tab also allows you to customize patterns, making the QR Code even more attractive. This feature ensures your QR Code blends seamlessly into your designs, gift cards, or resume.

III. Opt for transparency (optional)

Many users make the QR Code’s background transparent when going for a clean, seamless look.

The “Make Transparent” option in the Background tab allows your QR Code to blend naturally with flyers, posters, or digital screens.

This approach is ideal for creating a polished and professional design.

IV. Explore different shapes and borders

You can go beyond the traditional square QR to make it unique. Use the “Suggested” or “All” tabs from the Frames option to select shapes and borders that suit your design.

Creative borders or custom shapes can add flair to your QR Code and attract more scans.

These features make your QR Code a centerpiece of your promotional materials, ensuring it stands out while aligning with your brand identity.

Once you are done with that, follow the next step to download your high-resolution QR Code:

6. Test your QR Code for perfect scans using various devices and scanners before downloading. 

7. Once done, click on the “Download” button, and then you’ll get to choose what format you’d like to export this QR image in, say PNG or JPG

8. Click on “Export.” Your QR Code is now ready for use.

Now you can proudly say I know how to make my own QR Code.

B. Why you should make your own QR Code

1. QR Codes for information

Let’s say you have a small business event and would like to provide participants with your website. 

You can show them a QR Code that will take them immediately to your homepage, saving them the trouble of typing in a lengthy URL.

Or let’s say you are organizing a community fundraising event. Here you can print flyers with a QR Code that takes readers directly to the event registration page. 

This makes it incredibly simple for people to join up at the last minute.

2. Product and service exhibition

You can attach QR Codes to each item you sell in the market to provide customers with access to in-depth product details like user manuals.

You could do something similar if you run a brick-and-mortar store, too. Suppose you own a coffee shop and would like to give your regular customers a certain discount. 

To give customers the impression that they are receiving something particularly special, you could design a QR Code that points to a secret page on your website that contains a discount code.

3. Improve business and services with feedback QR Codes 

If you’re a restaurant owner you know how important it is to know how customers feel about your services. Now, rather than relying on survey links or paper-based forms, you can do something better.

Just print a QR Code on receipts that connects to a brief feedback form. Customers can immediately express their opinions right from their phones before they leave. Food giants such as McDonald’s are doing it already!

4. Easy document sharing and payments

If you’re a photographer, a copywriter, a caterer, or anyone providing services, you should definitely try making payments easy for your customers. 

Well, all you need to do is to create a QR Code to receive payments from your customers. They can scan and pay you right away, so there’s no need for them to double (or triple) check your account details to avoid errors.

According to CNNIC, mobile payment platforms like Alipay and WeChat Pay in China rely heavily on QR Codes, with over 80% of mobile payments made using them. Source: LinkedIn

Now suppose you want to share your presentation with others while conducting a workshop. Rather than sending out follow-up emails to everyone, you can simply show a QR Code that attendees can scan to download the slides right away.

5. Improving social media presence and campaigns

• Building social media presence: Assume you are an artist with a portfolio showcasing your art. And you want to increase your reach on social media for better business prospects. 

So, you’d want targeted people to follow you online. Here, you can ACTUALLY make it easy for them by adding a social media QR Code next to your art piece that takes them straight to your dedicated social media profiles.

• Building community support: Let’s say you need volunteers for a charity event you’re planning. You can just add a QR Code to your marketing materials. 

This would take people straight to the volunteer sign-up form, which can be distributed to encourage people to support your cause.

6. Improving education and instruction

If you’re a teacher, you can use QR Codes that connect students to relevant articles or videos in your lesson plans. Students can investigate further at their own pace by scanning the codes.

Imagine you oversee a small company and recently hired a new employee. To streamline onboarding and to assist them get set up fast, you can provide them with a welcome packet that includes a QR Code that links to all the training materials they require.

7. Improving operations management

Tracking inventory: You can use QR Codes to monitor your inventory if you are a retail store owner. Stock levels in your system can be promptly updated by scanning the code on each product, simplifying management.

Internal communication: Let’s say you are the manager of a small business, and you have to inform your staff about a new policy. 

One way to make sure everyone has fast access to documents without needing to go through emails is to send them QR Codes that connect straight to the content.

8. Building engaging and interactive events

Bringing augmented reality to life: Suppose you want to create a big impression when introducing a new product.

You could design a QR Code that, when scanned by users, launches an augmented reality experience, letting them view your product on their phones.

Gamifying your loyalty program: Let’s say you run a café and have a loyalty program for your patrons.

You may design a QR Code that patrons can scan on each visit to accrue points toward a prize. You could even make it into an entertaining game, such as an online treasure hunt!

What our customers think about us:

C. Where to use your QR Codes

1. Business cards

Picture yourself passing out business cards at a conference. Rather than relying on someone to recall to follow up, your card has a QR Code that allows them to be instantly connected to your portfolio or LinkedIn profile. 

Simply scan and connect to eliminate mistyped emails or deleted contacts.

Increased smartphone ownership and built-in scanners have fueled QR Code accessibility worldwide. Source: profiletree

2. Packaging of the product

Say you own a business that makes and delivers eco-friendly candles. For every order you deliver, you can add a unique and personalized thank-you note for the buyer. 

A QR Code can help you here. It can lead end users to a video showing the candle-making process. A minor detail like that gives their purchase a unique and personalized sense.

3. Posters and flyers

Say you’re planning a music event in your community.  Every poster you’ve put up around the city has a QR Code that leads straight to the ticketing page. 

It’s as simple as possible for visitors to join in on the fun; they can scan the code as they walk by and purchase tickets right away.

4. Restaurants and menus

Any restaurant or cafe owner needs to share menus. And QR Codes are smarter way to do it.

Just lay QR Codes on the tables in place of actual menus. Guests scan the code, and their phones display the menu with the ability to place a straight order as well as the daily promotions. 

It’s a cutting-edge, contactless method to improve their eating experience.

5. Signatures on emails

Do you send emails for better audience engagement? Cool! As a writer, add a QR Code attached to the signature in each email you send.

This code shall provide a link to your most recent book or blog article. It’s a subdued but efficient technique to increase traffic to your content and let your contacts know about your work.

6. Name tags and event badges

Your name badge at a big industry conference has a QR Code that connects to your LinkedIn page.

It eliminates the need for piles of business cards and allows others to quickly access your background, projects, and contact information when they scan it.

D. Advantages of creating your own QR Code

QR Codes are popular for their simplicity and versatility. Here are some key benefits of using them:

1. Quick access to information

With QR Codes, users can access information instantly without typing anything. 

For example, museums can place QR Codes next to exhibits. Visitors can scan them to get audio guides or detailed descriptions. This makes their experience more enjoyable.

2. Better customer engagement

QR Codes turn static content into interactive experiences. Imagine a retail store adding QR Codes to product tags. 

Customers can scan them to watch videos of the products in action, making shopping more fun and informative.

3. Trackable and measurable

QR Codes let businesses track scans—when, where, and how many. During a marketing campaign, a company can use this data to find out which locations or times worked best and improve their strategy.

4. Eco-friendly option

QR Codes help reduce paper waste. For instance, conference attendees can scan a QR Code to view schedules on their phones instead of using printed agendas. It’s a small step towards a greener planet.

5. Personalized experiences

QR Codes offer tailored content for users. A gym, for example, can share QR Codes with members. 

These might link to workout plans or diet tips based on personal goals, creating a customized experience.

QR Codes aren’t just convenient—they make things smarter, greener, and more engaging!

E. Troubleshooting issues you may face when you make your own QR Codes

1. The QR Code doesn’t scan

What’s happening: You’re delighted to introduce your new product to customers at a trade exhibition, but the QR Code on your brochure doesn’t scan.

How to fix it: Low contrast between the code and the background or poor print quality could be the cause of this. Verify that the code prints clearly and contrasts sharply with the background.

Try using a white background if your QR Code is too hard to see, for instance, on a dark green leaflet.

2. The QR Code leads to a broken link

What’s happening: Customers are meant to scan a QR Code as part of your campaign to receive a discount. Nevertheless, they’re receiving an error page instead of a discount.

How to fix it: Verify again that the URL that is connected to the QR Code is accurate and up to date. Customers won’t be able to access, for instance, if the QR Code on your restaurant’s menu points to a website that has been moved or removed.

Before sharing the QR Code, always test the link and make any necessary updates.

3. Slow scanning of QR Codes

What’s happening: Currently, your friend is attempting to scan the QR Code on your wedding invitation, but it’s taking an extremely long time, and they’re becoming impatient.

How to fix it: An excessive amount of data might make a QR Code difficult to see and slow to scan. Make the information simpler.

For example, link to a website where attendees can obtain all the information they need, rather than embedding all the event details. Simplified and shorter QR Codes scan substantially faster.

4. Some devices cannot scan QR Codes

What’s happening: Some attendees are complaining that their phones aren’t scanning the QR Code you set up for your event.

How to fix it: Before going live, test your QR Code across a variety of gadgets and applications. A QR Code that functions well on the newest iPhone, for instance, could not work on an older Android device.

To make sure it works with most phones and QR reader apps, try scanning the code with different ones.

5. The QR Code looks distorted or fuzzy

What’s happening: You produced a big banner with a QR Code on it, but people are having trouble scanning it since the picture is hazy.

How to fix it:: Usually, blurriness results from incorrect sizing of a low-resolution photograph. Use a high-quality vector image for the QR Code, particularly if you plan to print it large. 

For example, use a vector format like SVG to make sure the QR Code is clear and sharp when printing it on a banner.

6. The incorrect content is redirected using a QR Code

What’s happening: Customers who scan the QR Code you’ve set up to go to your online store instead go to a different page.

How to fix it: This can be the result of using the wrong link while creating the QR Code. Before creating the QR Code, double-check the URL. 

Make sure you used the correct URL when constructing the code, for instance, if you intended to send clients to your store’s homepage, but they ended up on a blog post.

7. Dense QR Code design

What’s happening: Even though you created a stunning QR Code with your company’s logo, it isn’t reading correctly.

How to fix it: Over-customization might occasionally make it difficult to read a QR Code. Keep the design uncomplicated and refrain from packing the code with extraneous pieces. 

For instance, while a big logo in the middle of a QR Code may appear nice, if it covers too much of the code, it won’t scan properly. Before completing the design, test it.

8. Inadequate lighting

What’s happening: Your outdoor event has QR Codes all over it, but your attendees are having problems scanning them in the low light.

How to fix it: Bright lighting is necessary for easy scanning of QR codes. Think about the surface on which they are printed as well as where you plan to place them. 

For instance, scanning a QR Code on a glossy poster may be difficult due to excessive light reflection. Select a matte finish and position the codes in areas with good lighting.

9. Outdated information on QR Codes

What’s happening: You’ve distributed flyers with a QR Code that points to an out-of-date page and a special deal that has expired.

How to fix it: To keep your QR Codes relevant, refresh the content frequently. Make sure the link is updated or forwarded to new material once the deal ends, for instance, if you made a QR Code for a seasonal promotion. 

Think about utilizing dynamic QR Codes, which let you modify the code’s location without having to print it again.

F. FAQs: Make Your Own QR Codes!

1. Why should I make a QR Code of my own?

You can customize a QR Code to meet your requirements, be it marketing, information sharing, or improving client experiences. 

To make it simpler for clients to interact with your brand, you might, for instance, include a QR Code on your promotional materials that leads directly to a special deal if you own a small business.

2. What kinds of content are QR Codes able to link to?

In response, QR Codes can connect to a variety of resources, such as Wi-Fi networks, websites, videos, social media accounts, and contact information. 

To help clients access your products instantaneously on their phones, you, as a restaurant owner, may, for instance, establish a QR Code that links straight to your online menu.

3. Do QR Codes expire?

The answer is that static QR Codes, which point to a fixed piece of material, never expire, however, the content they point to might. 

However, dynamic QR Codes provide you more freedom by enabling you to update the linked material without altering the QR Code itself. For example, you may quickly add fresh offers to a QR Code you’ve made for a seasonal campaign when the seasons change.

4. Does the process of making a QR Code come with any costs?

The cost of using web tools to create a basic QR Code is usually negligible. You might need to sign up for a subscription service, though, if you want to use more sophisticated features like tracking, customization, or dynamic QR Codes. 

For instance, a premium service can be worthwhile to pay for if you want a branded QR Code with analytics to monitor its effectiveness.

5. How do I proceed if my QR Code isn’t functioning?

If your QR Code needs to be scanned, look for typical problems such as broken links, thin text, or low contrast. 

Ensure it was printed correctly and try it on several devices. For instance, if a QR Code on your business card isn’t working, it can be too small or the URL might contain a typo. Check everything twice, then try fixing the problem once again.

Brands that trust us:

Summing up

That’s all there is to it—all the information required to make your own QR Codes from my QR Code generator. 

QRs are an extremely useful tool that may significantly boost your marketing efforts.

As always, the secret to using QR Codes successfully is to keep things simple. Your audience will respond better to it if you can make it easier and more seamless for them. 

Feel free to ask your questions or queries in the comments!