Billboard QR code: size it for the distance, track it by site
A billboard QR code only works if someone can scan it from where they stand. Size it for that distance, give each site its own dynamic code, and you can see which locations earn their cost.
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How big to make it
The working rule is 10:1: the code should be at least one tenth of the scanning distance. A code to be scanned from 10 metres should be at least 1 metre across. Download a vector SVG or PDF so it stays sharp at that size, and check the rest in our print guide.
Where it makes sense
Choose places where people stand still and are not driving: stations, bus shelters, queues and pedestrian streets. Beside a fast road, a code is hard to scan and unsafe to try. Use a clear call to action next to it, so people know what they get.
How to measure it
Give each site its own dynamic code, and compare scans by code and time of day. Business adds a city-level map. You can change the destination during a campaign with no new print. Remember that scans measure interest from people who scanned, not everyone who saw the board.
Design it so it scans
- Use dark modules on a light background, with a clear margin all round
- Keep the design around it simple, and put the code where nothing blocks the view
- Avoid placing it high up at a steep angle, since phones struggle with strong perspective
- Say what happens next: "Scan to get 20% off" beats a code on its own
- Send people to a fast, mobile-friendly page with the same offer as the board
Test before the print run. Print the code at a smaller size, keep the same 10:1 ratio, and scan it from the matching distance. Try it in bright light too, since glare on vinyl can get in the way. Also check who is standing where: a board seen only from a passing car gets few scans at any size. A typed short link or a memorable web address gives people a fallback, and a short link can carry its own click count.
Common questions
Can I change the destination once it is printed?
Yes, with a dynamic code, while your subscription is active.
Which plan do I need?
Starter ($9 a month) includes 10 dynamic codes and vector downloads.
Make a billboard code
Test it at full distance before you commit to the print run.
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