A QR code that scales to any size
Vector files hold their edges whether the code ends up on a business card or the side of a building. Download as SVG or PDF and hand it straight to a printer.
SVG and PDF export. 7-day free trial, no credit card required.
Why raster files fail at print size
A PNG is a fixed grid of pixels. Export at 512px, scale it to a poster, and the edges of every module turn soft. Scanners are surprisingly tolerant of this, but printers and brand teams are not, and beyond a certain enlargement it does start costing you scans.
A vector file stores the code as shapes rather than pixels. There is no resolution to run out of, so the same file works for a 15mm label and a two-metre banner.
This is also why printers ask for vector. It is not fussiness — it is the only way they can place your code at whatever size the layout ends up needing without coming back to you for a new export.
SVG or PDF?
Both are vector. The difference is what happens next.
| Format | Best for | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| SVG | Web, design tools | Opens in Illustrator, Figma and browsers; smallest file |
| Sending to a printer | The format most print shops expect to receive | |
| PNG | Screens, email, slides | Raster — fine at the size you exported, no larger |
| JPEG | Rarely the right choice | No transparency and lossy compression on hard edges |
Editing a vector code safely
Because SVG opens in a design tool, it is tempting to adjust the code itself. Recolouring the modules and the background is safe as long as contrast holds. Moving, deleting or reshaping individual modules is not — the error correction has a budget and you will spend it without knowing.
Two things that break codes more often than anything else: scaling the modules without scaling the quiet zone, and placing type or graphics inside that margin. If you need a caption near the code, use a frame rather than positioning text by hand.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which vector formats can I download?
SVG and PDF. Both scale to any size without loss, and both can be opened in Illustrator or sent straight to a print shop.
Can I edit the SVG in Illustrator?
Yes. Recolouring and resizing are safe. Avoid moving or deleting individual modules, and never place anything inside the quiet zone around the code.
Do I need vector for a business card?
It is worth using even at small sizes. The code is only a few centimetres, but a vector file guarantees the module edges stay crisp at whatever DPI the card is printed at.
Is vector export on every plan?
Vector download is available on paid plans and during the 7-day free trial, so you can test the exact file your printer needs before paying anything.
Get a print-ready vector file
SVG and PDF, crisp at any size, ready for your printer.
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