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Best QR code formats for print (PNG vs SVG vs PDF, explained)
Best QR code formats for print are less about fashion and more about who is printing. Web screens love PNG. Design tools love SVG. Offset and label vendors often want PDF or EPS with predictable size.
Here is a plain-language breakdown so your codes stay sharp on shelf.
PNG — raster for quick proofs and digital print
PNG is a grid of pixels. Export large (often 1024–4096 px on Qristic) if the code will be physically big. Scaling a small PNG up for a poster creates blur and failed scans.
SVG — vector for UI and flexible layouts
SVG scales cleanly in design tools and on the web. Many print shops still prefer PDF/EPS for press; confirm before you hand off SVG alone.
PDF — the safe default for labels and table tents
PDF wraps vector or high-resolution content in a page the printer understands. Use it for most restaurant and retail collateral unless your converter specifies EPS.
EPS — when prepress asks for PostScript
Some packaging workflows still request EPS. Qristic can export EPS for those press pipelines. Always keep quiet-zone margins intact regardless of format.
Practical rule
Proof on phones from the real print. Format choice will not save a code that is too small or low-contrast. Create and export from the Qristic generator, then match the file type your vendor already uses.
FAQ
Is SVG always better than PNG for print?
SVG scales cleanly, but many printers still want PDF/EPS. Ask the vendor; do not assume.
What size should I export?
Export larger than the physical print size in pixels for PNG, or use vector (SVG/PDF/EPS) so the rip can scale safely.
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