The short answer
Use a dynamic QR code, 1.5–2 cm (0.6–0.8 in) wide at minimum, on a flat panel away from seams, folds and the retail barcode. A box is printed in thousands and sits on shelves for months, so the page it points to must be editable without touching the packaging. Link to the specific product page, not your home page.
How to add a QR code to product packaging
Decide what the scan is for
Typical goals are setup instructions, a warranty or product registration form, a refill reorder page, or recipes. One goal per code keeps the page short and the scan rate up.
Create one dynamic code per product
Save a dynamic URL code for each product line, named after the SKU. If two products share a code, you cannot tell their scans apart or change one without the other.
Check the print method
Ask your printer for the smallest module size they hold reliably. Flexo and gravure print on uncoated board is coarser than digital, so a code that is crisp on screen can blur in ink. Export vector art (SVG or PDF on Pro).
Find a flat, quiet spot
Place the code on a flat panel with at least four modules of blank space. Avoid the die-cut fold, the glue flap, tight curves and the corner of a pouch seal.
Proof on the real material
Scan a printed proof on the actual board or film, under store lighting, with two different phones, before approving the run.
Size, distance and placement
- Best code type
- Dynamic URL code, one per product line or SKU
- Typical scan distance
- 15–30 cm (6–12 in), phone held in hand or at shelf
- Minimum printed width
- 1.5 cm (0.6 in) on small packs, 2–3 cm on boxes and bottles. Larger if the surface curves
- Quiet zone
- 4 modules of blank space. Do not let a fold, seam or print registration mark cross it
- Contrast
- Dark modules on a light patch. On kraft or colored board, print a solid white or light square behind the code
- Next to the retail barcode
- Keep it separate. A marketing QR code must never cover or replace the UPC/EAN used at checkout
- Proofing
- Scan the printed proof on the real material, not a screen mock-up
Static or dynamic on packaging?
Dynamic, almost without exception. Packaging outlives campaigns: a manual moves, a warranty form changes provider, a promotion ends, a product gets a new model number. A dynamic code keeps the printed pattern fixed and lets you change what it opens. It also lets you route by phone or country: send iPhone and Android users to different app stores, or shoppers in different countries to a local page. Both are Pro plan features. A static code only makes sense for content that is part of the code itself, such as a fixed support phone number.
Common mistakes
Tip: build the destination page before you finalize artwork, and give the code a visible label such as “Setup guide” or “Register your warranty”. A code with a stated purpose is scanned far more than a lone square.
Frequently asked questions
How small can a QR code be on packaging?
About 1.5 cm (0.6 in) wide is a practical floor when the print is sharp and the surface is flat. Rough board, glossy film or curved surfaces need more, so approve a proof from your printer.
Can I change a packaging QR code after printing?
Yes, if it is a dynamic code: edit the destination and every printed pack follows. A static code is frozen into the print.
Is a QR code the same as the barcode used at checkout?
No. Retail barcodes (UPC/EAN) are read by checkout scanners and are registered through GS1. A marketing QR code is a separate element for phones and should not replace or cover the retail barcode.
How can I see how many people scan my packaging?
A dynamic code counts every scan and shows country, device type and time of day. Use a separate code per product or per batch to compare them.