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QR Code Generator — Complete Feature Guide with Diagrams

This guide covers every feature of the BatchPrintGTIN QR code generator — from choosing a content type and entering your data to customising dot patterns, eye styles, colours, gradients, logo overlays, and decorative frames. Annotated diagrams show exactly where each setting is in the generator panel.

QR Code Generator Layout

Step 1 — Choose a Content Type

The content type buttons across the top of the form determine what kind of data your QR code encodes. Each type shows different input fields:

Step 2 — Dot Pattern (Module Shape)

The five dot patterns control the shape of individual QR code modules (the small squares that make up the QR code body). All patterns produce fully scannable QR codes when combined with appropriate error correction.

Step 3 — Corner Eye Style

The three finder pattern squares in the corners of a QR code (the "eyes") can be styled independently of the dot pattern. This is a subtle but powerful branding tool — the eye style is one of the first things a person notices when looking at a QR code.

• Square: Default — sharp corners, professional, maximum compatibility
• Rounded: Soft corners on the outer square — pairs well with Rounded or Dots patterns
• Circle: Fully circular finder patterns — distinctive modern look, pairs with Dots pattern
• Leaf: Leaf-shaped — organic, natural brand identity

Step 4 — Error Correction Level

Error correction allows a QR code to be scanned even if part of it is obscured, damaged, or covered by a logo. Higher error correction makes the QR code more robust but also larger.

Step 5 — Colours and Gradient

The Foreground colour sets the colour of the QR code modules. The Background colour sets the background. Both support any hex colour.

To apply a gradient, enable Gradient Foreground, choose a second colour, and select a direction (left to right, top to bottom, or radial). The gradient is applied to the QR code modules.

Transparent Background removes the background fill from the PNG output — useful for placing QR codes on coloured packaging without a white box.

Step 6 — Logo and Watermark Overlay

Upload a PNG, JPG, or SVG logo to centre it within the QR code. Key settings:

• Size: Controls logo width as a percentage of QR code width. Keep under 30% to preserve scannability. Default is 20%.
• Logo Opacity: Reduces the transparency of the logo if a subtle watermark effect is desired.
• Error Correction: Must be H (30%) when using a logo. The generator sets this automatically on upload.

Step 7 — Background Image

A background image can be placed behind the QR modules. Use the Image Opacity slider to reduce the background image opacity so that the QR code modules remain clearly visible. Error correction is automatically set to H when a background image is applied. Always test scannability after applying background images.

Step 8 — Frame and Label

A decorative frame with custom text can be added around the QR code. Settings:

• Frame Text: Call-to-action text shown inside the frame border. Common examples: "Scan to view menu", "Scan for WiFi", "Scan to order".
• Frame Color: Background colour of the frame bar.
• Text Color: Colour of the frame text. Ensure contrast against the frame background.

Label Text Below the QR Code

The Label Text field (in the Style column, below Error Correction) lets you add a line of human-readable text printed below the QR code image. This is useful for adding a call-to-action like "Scan to visit our website" or a short URL for people who cannot scan. The label is embedded into the downloaded PNG, SVG, and PDF — it is not a caption added by design software.

When you type any text into the Label field, two additional sliders appear:

• Label Font (8–32 px, default 12 px): Controls the size of the label text. Increase for larger print materials; decrease to keep the QR code compact.
• Gap Below (0–40 px, default 6 px): Controls the space between the bottom edge of the QR code and the top of the label text. Increase for visual breathing room between the code and the text.

URL Auto-Shortener

When the URL content type is selected, an ✂ Auto-Shorten URLs toggle appears below the URL input field. This is enabled by default. When on, it applies a set of optimisations to the URL before encoding it — entirely in your browser, with no external service or redirect involved:

• Removes tracking parameters (UTM tags, gclid, fbclid, and dozens of others)
• Strips the www. subdomain (case-insensitive; the URL still resolves correctly)
• Normalises the path (removes trailing slashes, collapses double slashes)
• If the resulting URL uses only QR alphanumeric-safe characters, it is uppercased so the QR encoder can use the denser alphanumeric mode — producing a less complex, more reliable QR code

A live hint appears below the URL field showing exactly how many characters were saved and whether alphanumeric mode was activated. Turn the toggle off to encode the URL exactly as typed.

Module Opacity

The Module Opacity slider (in the Background Image section, range 20–100%, default 100%) controls the transparency of the QR code modules themselves — not the background. Reducing module opacity lets the background colour or background image show through the dark modules, creating a semi-transparent or ghost-like QR code effect. This is a creative tool; always scan-test the result because very low module opacity combined with a light background can make the code unreadable. A minimum of 60% is recommended for reliable outdoor scanning.

Output Size and Resolution — What the Slider Controls

The QR Size slider in the Style column sets the base canvas size in pixels, with a range of 120 px to 600 px (default 280 px). This is the internal drawing resolution — not the printed physical size. A higher base size means more pixels per QR module, giving finer rendering for logos, gradients, and custom dot patterns.

The Resolution multiplier chips (1×, 2×, 4×, 8×) in the Preview panel apply on top of the base size at download time only — they do not affect the live preview. The QR code is re-rendered at full resolution from source data when you click PNG, not upscaled from the preview canvas.

DPI Preset, Print Size, and Embed DPI

Below the resolution chips, an optional DPI Preset dropdown lets you target a specific printer resolution instead of choosing a multiplier manually. Select a DPI value (72, 96, 150, 300, or 600 DPI) and enter a Print Size in inches — the generator calculates exactly how many pixels the PNG needs to be to hit that DPI at that printed size, and overrides the resolution chip accordingly. A live hint confirms the result — for example, "300 DPI @ 2 in = 600 px".

The Embed DPI checkbox writes the target DPI value into the PNG file's metadata. Applications, label printers, and design tools that read PNG DPI metadata will automatically place the image at the correct physical size without manual resizing. Leave unchecked if your workflow does not use PNG metadata.

Download Options — SVG, PNG, and PDF

Three download buttons appear below the QR preview once a code is generated:

• ↓ SVG — True vector output built directly from the QR matrix data. Logos are embedded as base64 images. Scales to any size without quality loss. Preferred for print production, design software (Illustrator, Figma, Inkscape), and any workflow where the QR code will be resized.
• ↓ PNG — Pixel image rendered at base size × chosen multiplier. Use for web pages, email, documents, and label software that does not accept SVG. Always choose 4× Ultra or higher for print use.
• 🖨 PDF / Page Designer — Opens the Page Designer overlay, which lets you arrange QR codes (and barcodes) on a label sheet. You can choose paper size (Letter, A4, Legal, A3, Tabloid), set margins, select from Avery and Uline label presets, drag-position individual codes, and export a print-ready PDF. This is the recommended path for printing multiple codes on sticky-label stock.

Minimum and Recommended QR Code Print Sizes

QR codes must be large enough for smartphone cameras to resolve the individual modules at the intended scanning distance. The table below gives practical minimums and recommendations for common use cases.

For codes that will be used with logos or non-square dot patterns — which reduce effective module contrast — use the next size up from the minimum above, and always test-scan the finished print at the intended distance before distributing.

Batch QR Code Generation

The Batch tab lets you generate hundreds of QR codes at once from a CSV file. When you switch the "Default Output Type" dropdown to QR Codes, the following QR-specific settings appear:

The foreground and background colour pickers in the Colors & Quality section below the QR options apply to both QR codes and barcodes in the batch.

PDF Page Designer — Print Layout Tool

The PDF / Page Designer button (available from the single QR preview and from the batch results panel) opens a full print layout overlay built into the generator. It arranges QR codes on standard label sheets and exports a print-ready multi-page PDF — no external label software needed.

When opened from the single QR generator, the Page Designer tiles that one QR code across the full sheet. When opened from the batch results, every generated code is placed into successive cells and paginated automatically.

Related Guides

• Feature Showcase — See All Options Live
• Barcode Generator Guide
• PDF Page Designer Guide
• How Businesses Use QR Codes