QR code help
Why is my QR code blurry or pixelated when printed?
A QR code goes blurry when a small bitmap is enlarged or compressed. Use a vector file (SVG or PDF), or a high-resolution PNG, place it at its final size without stretching, and avoid JPEG, screenshots and smoothing.
Common causes
- A small PNG was scaled up and the editor smoothed the edges.
- The file was saved as JPEG, which adds fuzzy artefacts around the squares.
- The code was copied from a screenshot of the screen.
- Design software resampled it with interpolation.
- Print resolution is too low for the final size.
How to fix it
- Download the code as SVG or vector PDF and place that in your design file.
- If you need PNG, export one large enough for 300 dpi at the final printed size.
- Resize in whole multiples of one square when using bitmaps, with nearest-neighbour resampling.
- Never save a QR code as JPEG.
- Check the proof with a loupe: every square edge should be crisp.
How to prevent it
Keep the original vector file with the artwork and place that, not an exported bitmap.
Frequently asked questions
Which format should I use?
SVG or vector PDF stay sharp at any size. A large PNG is fine for documents. Avoid JPEG.
Can I enlarge a PNG?
Not safely. Enlarging a bitmap blurs it. Download a larger file or a vector instead.