How to print QR code stickers
A 2 x 2 inch sticker with a 1.5 inch code covers most in-store uses. Outdoors, choose laminated matte vinyl, and protect customers from fake stickers placed over yours.
Updated September 24, 2026
Size by placement
| Placement | Distance | Code size | Sticker size |
|---|---|---|---|
| Table, counter | 12 to 20 in | 1.5 to 2 in | 2.5 x 2.5 in |
| Machine, equipment | 12 to 20 in | 1.5 to 2 in | 2 x 3 in with text |
| Front door | 2 to 3 ft | 2.5 to 4 in | 4 x 5 in |
| Window, seen from the sidewalk | 3 to 6 ft | 4 to 8 in | 5 x 7 in or larger |
Choosing the material
- Paper labels: short indoor use (a few weeks), on dry surfaces.
- White vinyl: handles water and cleaning, for restaurant tables and gym machines.
- Laminated matte vinyl: lamination protects against scratches and UV, and matte kills glare. The pick for outdoors.
- Window cling or reverse-print decal: applied inside a window, readable from the street. Print it the right way round for reading through glass.
Die cut and white margin
A die-cut shape (circle, speech bubble) looks great, but the 4-module white margin must stay intact around the code. On a round sticker, the circle must contain the code and its margin. Ask your printer for a 1/16 inch bleed and an extra 1/16 inch safe zone.
Ordering from a print shop
Online printers sell stickers from a few dozen copies. Send a vector PDF with the cut line on its own layer, named the way the printer asks (often "CutContour"). Ask for a white underbase when printing on clear vinyl: without it, dark modules let the surface show through and contrast collapses. Order a few test stickers first, apply them to the real surface and scan them under the actual lighting before ordering the full run. For stickers on equipment that gets wiped with disinfectant daily, ask specifically for chemical-resistant lamination. For windows, specify whether the sticker goes on the inside or the outside of the glass.
Fake stickers: protecting your customers
Scammers stick their own QR codes over real ones on parking meters, EV chargers and patio tables to send people to fake payment pages. The FTC and several city governments have warned about it. Three steps reduce the risk:
- Print your name or logo in the code frame: a generic fake sticker stands out.
- Use your own domain (Pro): customers see
qr.yourrestaurant.combefore opening the link. - Check your stickers regularly, especially outdoors, and post "Our QR codes only lead to ...".
A sticker that never goes stale
Stickers do not peel off nicely, so nobody wants to replace them with every menu or promo change. A dynamic code keeps the same sticker for years while you change the destination from your phone. On tables, the menu QR code and WiFi are the most common uses. For a window read from afar, the poster guide has the sizing math.
Your codes keep working, even if you stop paying
Every code you create or edit on a paid plan keeps redirecting to its last destination, forever.
Static codes are included in every plan: they rely on no server and never expire.
Read the lifetime guarantee termsFrequently asked questions
What size for a table QR code sticker?
A 1.5 to 2 inch code on a 2.5 x 2.5 inch sticker.
Do QR code stickers last outdoors?
Yes in laminated matte vinyl, built to handle rain and UV for several years depending on exposure.
How do I stop someone sticking a fake code over mine?
Brand the frame with your name, use your own domain and check your stickers regularly.
Can I change the destination without replacing the sticker?
Yes with a dynamic code.
Do clear stickers work?
Only with a white underbase behind the code. Otherwise the surface shows between modules and contrast drops.
Sources
Ready to print a QR code that never dies?
7 days for $0, card required, a reminder 2 days before the first charge, cancel in 2 clicks.