Generate Clear & Scalable Vector QR Codes: Use EPS & SVG Formats

A traditional QR Code image for a small poster won’t cut it for a billboard-sized ad banner. If you try to resize or scale it, you end up with a pixelated, blurry mess that’s hard to scan and looks unprofessional.

To resolve this, vector QR Codes are your one-stop solution. You can generate vector QR Codes on Uniqode that are scalable on any surface, of any size, with no compromise on quality.

Read on to discover the power of vector QR Codes and how they can transform your marketing game. We’ll delve into their benefits over other formats, use cases, and best practices that can help make your next marketing campaigns effective and successful.

Table of contents

1. What is a vector QR Code?
2. Key advantages of using a vector QR Code
3. Most common use cases of vector QR Codes
4. Best practices for using vector QR Codes
5. Frequently asked questions

What is a vector QR Code?

A vector QR Code uses graphics instead of pixels. Similar to vector images, these QR Codes are created using mathematical equations, as opposed to pixels in the case of raster formats. As a result, you can infinitely scale vector QR Codes in size. 

Creating vector graphics saves your time and bandwidth, as you can save them in formats such as SVG or EPS.

Let’s get onto these formats one by one.

1. EPS QR Codes

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QR Codes in Encapsulated PostScript (EPS) vector format are perfect for all types of print media (also digital) marketing campaigns. 

EPS is the go-to format for marketers and designers to print professional and high-quality advertising campaigns on large surfaces, such as billboards. 

1. QR Code EPS is scalable, resolution-independent, and comprises individual objects and shapes. 
2. Whether you’re designing a 14 x 48 feet billboard or a 24 x 36 inches poster, the EPS format will ensure that your QR Code looks sharp and clear, regardless of size.

Moreover, you can easily print high-quality EPS QR Codes using your existing printing hardware. Most legacy printers and software are compatible with this format. 

A good example of EPS QR Code usage is when BTS—the famed K-Pop band—launched a QR Code campaign called ARMYPEDIA; it was done to celebrate the sixth anniversary of the Korean boy band. 

The idea was to collect the puzzle pieces through the QR Codes to unlock exclusive BTS content.

2. SVG QR Codes

Scalable Vector Graphics (SVG) is a vector format that is suitable for creating high-quality and versatile QR Codes for digital use on websites, infographics, and UI, among others. 

SVG QR Code differs from EPS in terms of file size. SVG is made from XML codes only, making them smaller in file size and faster to load on displays, and is also search engine friendly. 

Also, because SVG QR Codes are pure XML files, you can easily manage them with HTML and CSS.

1. Search engines such as Google, can read XML in SVG QR Codes, which can aid your SEO efforts in your QR Code campaigns. 
2. On the other hand, you can use SVG QR Codes for integration into various marketing materials, such as clothing product labels, brochures, and advertisements.

For instance, DIESEL partnered with Certilogo to run a campaign with QR Codes on their denim products to protect consumers from counterfeiters. The campaign allows Diesel consumers worldwide to quickly verify the authenticity of a denim product, even before purchasing it.

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Choosing the correct QR Code format for your marketing campaign can make all the difference. 

EPS vs SVG: Which vector QR Code to go for?

1. You can go for EPS QR Codes if you are looking to resize QR Codes for physical marketing materials. You can choose SVG QR Codes if you’re planning to deploy QR Codes on bigger digital screens such a cinema screenings. 
2. If you require a smaller file size, we recommend SVG files over EPS files
3. If you’re focusing on high-quality QR Codes on physical print material, choose EPS. If your focus is on high-quality QR Codes that can be used on digital marketing materials, and are search-engine friendly, choose SVG QR Codes.

In the next section, let’s discuss how you can maximize the impact of your marketing campaigns using vector formats over raster files.

4 key advantages of using vector QR Codes

Vector QR Codes offer several advantages over traditional, raster QR Codes:

1. Generate high-quality QR Code images
2. Compress large files into shareable vector QR Codes
3. Easy to use on different types of materials
4. Edit the vector QR Code anytime, anywhere

1. Generate high-quality QR Code images

Reproducing QR Codes with sharp edges is crucial for marketing campaigns that require high-resolution QR Codes on various surfaces, especially for large-format printing like billboards and banners. 

Here are a few instances of how you can use high-quality custom QR Codes:

1. If you’re in event marketing, you can use vector QR Codes to give attendees access to event schedules, registration pages, and survey forms via promotional materials such as posters or stage backdrops.
2. If you’re in the tourism business, you can use these QR Codes on large promotional materials, like billboard ads, to provide guests with additional information, special offers, or information on nearby tourist attractions from the same campaign.

You can always reproduce vector formats, which means you can scale them up or down to any size without compromising quality or pixelating them.

2. Vectorize QR Codes to share large files

To effectively share vector QR Codes in digital format across channels, you must ensure that they’re of the right file size. 

Bigger file sizes can mess with shareability because of uploading limitations from different mediums, such as emails, PDFs, etc.

Since you can scale these QR Codes up or down without losing quality, the recipient of the design file can resize the custom QR Code for print (e.g., a wall-sized banner for your event marketing campaign) without any pixelation or loss of scannability. 

Vector QR Codes are compact files, making the to and fro between multiple parties smoother. 

Moreover, you can streamline collaboration between multiple teams (from marketer to designer to printing service provider) while designing using vector QR Codes.

3. Easy to use on various types of materials

You need a versatile QR Code to use on various applications such as paper, plastic, leather, and metal. Such versatility is crucial for businesses that require unique and visually appealing marketing collateral, packaging, or promotional items. 

You can use techniques like foil cutting and punching to emboss QR Codes for various applications. 

For example, luxury brands create sophisticated colored QR Codes on their product packaging or tags to direct customers to their exclusive content or product information. 

The use of these techniques allows you to maintain a unique appearance, making your brand stand out. 

4. Easily edit the QR Codes anytime

Sometimes, you might need to change or update the destination page of your QR Codes to accommodate the updated material. 

Dynamic QR Codes allow you to edit the destination URL without changing the existing QR Codes you might have deployed. 

For instance, you have designed a sales poster with a QR Code. If you use a dynamic vector QR Code, you can print it once and keep updating the destination URL as per your requirements—without reprinting the collateral to accommodate a new QR Code.

Most common industry use-cases of vector QR Codes

You can customize vector QR Codes with different colors, shapes, and logos to match the branding of your business and to entice your target audience with catchy QR Codes campaigns. Here is how:

1. Billboards

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You can print vector QR Codes on billboards to let your users easily engage with your brand. 

For example, Calvin Klein ran a campaign where they updated three of its billboards—two in New York City and one in Los Angeles—with bright red QR Codes with the call-to-action, “Get It Uncensored.” 

Onlookers could scan the QR Code using their mobile device, which would take them to an exclusive 40-second ad featuring popular models like Lara Stone, “AJ,” Sid Ellisdon, Grayson Vaughan, and Eric Anderson. Viewers could share the QR Code with their friends on Facebook and Twitter.

2. Trade show collaterals

You can print QR Codes on your trade show collateral. For example, a big banner on a sidewalk could take prospects to your event schedule page with a quick QR Code scan. 

Or a banner on the venue entrance could let your attendees participate in an interactive activity, such as a game or a quiz—with a QR Code scan. You can also use a vector QR Code on your event signage to conduct a survey and, collect audience feedback.

3. Engraved QR Codes on keychains, t-shirts, and mugs

You can engrave QR Codes on different marketing materials such as keychains, mugs, and t-shirts—to allow users access to additional information about your organization quickly. 

Distributing QR Coded merchandise during a tradeshow or an event is an excellent tactic for building brand awareness among your prospects.

4. Digital ads

You can use vector QR Codes to elevate your digital ad strategy. The goal could be encouraging users to scan an app download QR Code, to download it on the App Store or Play Store, or participate in an online quiz to boost user engagement. A creative example of this is Burger King utilizing a QR Code in an ad during the MTV Video Music Awards in 2020. The QR Code appeared multiple times within the video ad, directing users to a link for downloading the Burger King app.

5. Magazine covers and newspapers

You can use vector QR Codes on magazine covers, giving readers access to exclusive articles, interviews, or multimedia content that complements the printed material. Since these QR Codes are compatible with various file formats, magazines can utilize them to scale onto other marketing collaterals such as cards, posters, etc., aligning with the campaign. The result will be a solid omnichannel customer engagement strategy.

Also read: How to create QR Code for a magazine

Best practices for using vector QR Codes

Since you know use cases of QR Codes now, it’s time to delve into the best practices that ensure a smooth integration of vector QR Codes into your marketing strategy:

Why choose Uniqode as a vector QR Code generator?

Vector QR Codes offer a variety of advantages over traditional raster QR Codes, including sharp edges, unlimited scalability, and easy customization.

Uniqode is the leading vector QR Code generator, and here’s why- You can create safe and editable vector QR Codes via our platform. Easily modify and track them from a single dashboard. Apart from these, you also get SOC2 and GDPR compliant safety, and a host of other features that benefit your QR Code campaigns.

Interested to see how vector QR Codes can work for your use case? You can get started by creating one below 👇

Frequently asked questions

1. What is the vector format for QR Codes?

A vector QR Code is created using vector graphics instead of raster graphics. This means that you can resize the QR Codes without losing quality and easily incorporate them into different dimensions and materials.

2. How do I create a QR Code for a vector?

Create a QR Code in vector format in five easy steps: 

1. Log in to the Uniqode dashboard and select ‘QR Codes.’
2. Select the QR Code campaign type.
3. Input required information like a URL or a PDF document.
4. Customize your QR Code color, shape, logo, etc.
5. Finally, download QR Code in any vector format available.

3. Is there a free vector QR Code generator?

Yes, by signing up for a free trial, you can easily create free vector QR Codes on Uniqode. You can custom design and share your vector QR Codes across different collaterals.

• Author Details

Author Details

Nida Zehra

Nida is a marketing professional with a flair for storytelling. She expertly combines her analytical skills with her creative talents to craft compelling narratives around QR Codes, helping businesses unlock their full potential. When she’s not busy at work, Nida indulges her love for fiction and unleashes her artistic side as a poet and pastel artist.

nida.alizehra@gmail.com