Short answer
Before printing, check contrast (dark code on light background), a four-module quiet zone, adequate size for the scan distance, vector artwork, a matte finish, a tested destination, and your QR provider's cancellation terms. Then scan a physical proof on two different phones.
- Contrast: dark code on a light background, ideally 7:1 or better.
- Polarity: avoid light-on-dark codes unless you have tested them on older phones.
- Quiet zone: four modules of empty space on every side.
- Size: at least one tenth of the scanning distance.
- Module size: 0.5 mm or more for comfortable scanning.
- Logo: under 20% of the code, with error correction set to H.
- Vector file: send SVG or PDF to the printer, never a screenshot.
- Finish: matte, not glossy laminate.
- Surface: flat is best; curved bottles and folds distort codes.
- Destination: loads fast on mobile data, no login, no app required.
- Provider terms: what happens to the code if you cancel? (Kizmo: it keeps working.)
- Proof test: scan the physical proof with an iPhone and an Android phone, in the real lighting.
The Kizmo generator checks points 1 to 6 automatically as you design.