Printing Guide
Last updated: May 19, 2026
It is important to confirm your QR code scans when printing. Scannability depends on printed size, printer, paper type, lighting, and scanning device. Use this guide to help scannability and always test your printed code with intended scanning devices before printing in bulk.
Recommended minimum print size
MosaicQR recommends the following minimum sizes used when printing:
| QR Size | Minimum Size |
|---|---|
| v3–v5 | 0.5" (13mm) |
| v6–v8 | 0.75" (20mm) |
| v9–v14 | 1.0" (25mm) |
| v15–v20 | 1.5" (38mm) |
| v21–v28 | 2.0" (50mm) |
File format
Use SVG or EPS for printing whenever possible since they scale to any size without losing quality. PNG works too, but module edges can blur or shift when scaled.
Background
MosaicQR codes are designed to be printed on a white background. The additional white space around the QR code is intentional and should be kept. This “quiet zone” improves scannability and should not be cropped out.
Why codes may not scan
MosaicQR uses an algorithm tuned through extensive testing to maximize scannability while preserving the visual likeness of your reference image. In our testing, the large majority of generated codes scan reliably on modern smartphones under normal conditions.
Some codes may not scan at all. Because MosaicQR shapes each code to resemble your reference image, certain combinations of image geometry, contrast, and color can produce codes that fail to scan even on modern iPhones and Android devices under ideal conditions. A code may also scan on iPhones but not Androids, or vice versa — the two platforms use different scanning algorithms and tolerances. If a code doesn’t scan, try a different reference image, a different size, or regenerate.
Scannability also depends on factors outside our control: the scanning device and app, lighting, print quality, code size, contrast with surrounding materials, and viewing angle. Older phones and dedicated barcode scanners may have lower success rates.
Always test every code on iPhone and Android, and any other intended scanning devices before printing or deploying it.