QR Code Testing Checklist Before Going to Print

1. Test on Real Devices

Emulators and design software previews are not enough. Scan on a recent iPhone, a mid-range Android, and an older budget Android.

2. Test Conditions

* Good indoor light (office). * Dim light (corridor, evening). * Bright outdoor light with glare on the surface. * The code held at the intended scanning distance, not closer.

3. Verify the Destination

Scan the code and confirm the destination URL is correct and loads fully. A typo in a URL is impossible to see by looking at the code.

4. Print a Proof

Print the design at actual size on the actual stock and scan the proof, not a monitor rendering. Colors shift and module sharpness changes between screen and print.

5. Check the Quiet Zone

On the print proof, measure the quiet zone with a ruler. It should be at least four modules wide on all sides.

6. Document the Code

Keep a record of every code printed: the slug or campaign name, the destination URL, the date, and the location. You will need this when a destination changes.