QR Codes

Complete guide to creating, customizing, and managing QR codes with Cutly. Learn about advanced features, analytics, and best practices.

Introduction to QR Codes

QR codes are a powerful tool for digital marketing and link management. Cutly's QR code service allows you to create professional QR codes that are easy to share, track, and optimize for better engagement.

Quick Start Checklist

Follow these steps to get the most out of Cutly's QR code service in your first session.

Create your first short link
Generate a QR code for the link
Customize colors and add your logo
Download and start using
What are QR Codes?

QR codes (Quick Response codes) are 2D barcodes that can store URLs, text, and other data. They bridge the physical and digital worlds, making it easy for users to access your content with a simple scan.

Why Use QR Codes?
  • • Instant access to content
  • • Track engagement and analytics
  • • Professional branding options
  • • Perfect for print materials

Quick Start Guide

Get your first QR code up and running in minutes with this step-by-step guide.

Step 1: Create a Short Link

Before creating a QR code, you need a short link to point to. Navigate to your dashboard and create a new short link.

Permission Required

Only owners and admins can create QR codes.

Step 2: Generate Your QR Code

Navigate to the QR Codes section and click "Create QR Code". Select your short link and give your QR code a memorable name.

Required Fields:

  • • Name: Internal name for your QR code
  • • Short Link: The link this QR code will redirect to

Step 3: Customize Your QR Code

Make your QR code stand out with custom colors, logos, and styling options.

Basic Customization:

  • • Foreground color
  • • Background color
  • • Size (default: 300px)

Advanced Options:

  • • Corner styles
  • • Logo upload
  • • QR code patterns

Step 4: Download and Use

Once satisfied with your design, download your QR code and start using it in your marketing materials.

PNG FormatHigh ResolutionPrint Ready

QR Code Management

Learn how to effectively manage your QR codes, including creation, editing, and organization.

Creating QR Codes

QR codes are created through the API or dashboard interface. Each QR code is linked to a specific short link and can be customized extensively.

Editing QR Codes

You can update existing QR codes to change their appearance, name, or linked short URL. The QR code data will be automatically regenerated.

Important Note

Changing the linked short URL will generate a completely new QR code. Existing printed materials will need to be updated.

Organization & Naming

Use descriptive names for your QR codes to make them easy to identify and manage.

Naming Best Practices:

  • • Include campaign or purpose: "Summer Sale 2024"
  • • Add location if relevant: "Store Front Door QR"
  • • Include date for time-sensitive campaigns
  • • Use consistent naming conventions

Advanced Features

Explore advanced customization options to create unique, branded QR codes that match your visual identity.

Visual Customization

Customize the appearance of your QR codes with various color and style options.

Color Options

  • Foreground Color: The main QR code pattern color
  • Background Color: The background color (usually white)
  • Corner Square Color: Color of the corner positioning squares
  • Corner Dot Color: Color of the dots inside corner squares

Style Options

  • QR Code Style: square, dots, rounded, extra-rounded
  • Corner Style: square, dot, extra-rounded
  • Size: Customizable dimensions (default: 300px)

Logo Integration

Add your brand logo to QR codes for better recognition and trust. Logos are automatically optimized for QR code readability.

Logo Requirements:

  • • Maximum file size: 5MB
  • • Supported formats: PNG, JPG, GIF
  • • Recommended: Square aspect ratio
  • • High contrast with QR code background

Advanced Settings

Fine-tune your QR codes with advanced configuration options stored in the settings JSON field.

Error Correction Levels:

  • • L (Low): ~7% recovery capability
  • • M (Medium): ~15% recovery capability (recommended)
  • • Q (Quartile): ~25% recovery capability
  • • H (High): ~30% recovery capability

Analytics & Tracking

Track QR code performance with detailed analytics and insights to optimize your campaigns.

QR Code Analytics

QR code scans are tracked separately from regular link clicks, giving you detailed insights into QR-specific engagement.

Tracked Metrics:

  • • Total scans
  • • Unique visitors
  • • Geographic location
  • • Device types
  • • Scan timing
  • • Browser information

Analytics Features:

  • • Real-time tracking
  • • Historical data
  • • Export capabilities
  • • Campaign comparison
  • • Performance insights

Setting Up Tracking

QR code tracking is automatically enabled when you create a QR code. Each scan is recorded with detailed metadata.

Analytics Dashboard

Access detailed analytics through the dashboard to understand your QR code performance and optimize your campaigns.

Pro Tip

Use UTM parameters in your short links to get even more detailed tracking in Google Analytics.

Best Practices

Follow these best practices to ensure your QR codes are effective, accessible, and provide the best user experience.

Design Guidelines

Do:

  • • Use high contrast colors
  • • Maintain minimum size (2x2 cm for print)
  • • Test scannability before printing
  • • Include clear call-to-action text
  • • Leave white space around QR code

Don't:

  • • Use low contrast color combinations
  • • Make QR codes too small to scan
  • • Place on curved or reflective surfaces
  • • Assume users know what to do
  • • Forget to test on different devices

User Experience

Always provide context and clear instructions to help users understand what will happen when they scan your QR code.

Call-to-Action Examples:

  • • "Scan to view our digital menu"
  • • "Scan for exclusive discount"
  • • "Scan to download our app"
  • • "Scan for event details"
  • • "Scan to join our WiFi"

Security Note

QR codes can be used maliciously. Always use trusted QR code generators and consider adding your branding to help users identify legitimate codes.

Security Best Practices:

  • • Use HTTPS URLs only
  • • Include your brand logo for authenticity
  • • Monitor QR code analytics for suspicious activity
  • • Consider expiration dates for time-sensitive campaigns
  • • Use password protection for sensitive content

Troubleshooting

Common issues and solutions for QR code creation, customization, and scanning problems.

QR Code Won't Scan

Common Causes:

  • • QR code is too small
  • • Poor contrast between foreground and background
  • • Damaged or distorted QR code
  • • Insufficient lighting
  • • Camera focus issues

Solutions:

  • • Increase QR code size (minimum 2x2 cm)
  • • Use high contrast colors (black on white works best)
  • • Regenerate the QR code if damaged
  • • Ensure proper lighting when scanning
  • • Clean camera lens and hold steady

Logo Upload Issues

Troubleshooting

If logo upload fails, check file size (max 5MB) and format (PNG, JPG, GIF only).

Logo Optimization Tips:

  • • Use square aspect ratio for best results
  • • Compress images to reduce file size
  • • Use PNG format for transparent backgrounds
  • • Ensure logo has good contrast with QR code
  • • Test different logo sizes (0.1 to 1.0)

Permission Errors

Common issues when trying to create or access QR codes and their features.

Access Denied

Only owners and admins can create QR codes. Contact your team administrator for access.

Role Permissions:

  • • Owner: Full access to create, edit, and delete QR codes
  • • Admin: Full access to create, edit, and delete QR codes
  • • Member: View-only access to QR codes

API Errors

Common API errors related to QR codes and how to handle them.

📄error-handling.js
1// Common API error responses
2{
3	"error": "Short link not found",
4	"status": 404
5}
6
7{
8	"error": "Only owners and admins can create QR codes",
9	"status": 403
10}
11
12{
13	"error": "Short link ID and name are required",
14	"status": 400
15}
16
17// Error handling example
18try {
19	const response = await fetch('/api/qr-codes', {
20		method: 'POST',
21		body: JSON.stringify(qrData)
22	});
23
24	if (!response.ok) {
25		const error = await response.json();
26		console.error('QR Code creation failed:', error.error);
27	}
28} catch (error) {
29	console.error('Network error:', error.message);
30}

Getting Help

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QR Codes | Documentation