How To Make QR Codes for Posters (With Free Templates)

Imagine this: You’ve designed the perfect poster for your marketing campaign. But there’s no clear way for viewers to take the next steps! 

Maybe your website URL in the poster is too small or complex to read, or most users find it hard to search for your business online. These are bottlenecks that can create friction in the user journey, and as a result, people may give up trying to reach out.

Print campaigns often feel disconnected from the online world, leading to missed opportunities. But with QR Codes, you can add a digital call-to-action from the physical world. A recent report by Top Media Adverting indicates that combining print with digital advertising can amplify campaign effectiveness by up to 400%.

Continue scrolling to access our free poster QR Code templates, plus learn how to use QR Codes on posters to engage prospects and drive results from your print campaigns.

Templates for QR Codes on poster (free to use)

You can access these templates for free. Our design team has optimized the placement of these QR Codes to strike the right balance between aesthetics and visibility to drive maximum scans. 

These templates are fully customizable and you can integrate our QR Codes easily by following these steps.

1. Holiday sale poster QR Code template

A simple, bold call to action for the physical world for your holiday sales.  

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2. Fashion retail QR Code poster template

A minimal and elegant poster design for promoting seamless online shopping.

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3. Luxury jewelry poster QR Code template

An opulent design to showcase exclusive deals for luxury jewelry enthusiasts.

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4. Business webinar poster QR Code template

A sleek and professional template to boost webinar registrations.

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5. Cafe promotion poster QR Code template

A bold and inviting template to attract customers with a free coffee offer.

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How to Make QR Codes for posters (+ how to use these templates)

Step 1: Sign up and access the QR Code generator

Step 2: Choose your QR Code type and enter details

Step 3: Customize your QR Code

Step 4: Save and download

Step 5: Optional—If you’re using Canva Poster templates

Step 1: Sign up and access Uniqode’s QR Code generator

Once you’re inside the Uniqode dashboard, click “+CREATE.”

Select “QR Code” from the dropdown menu.

Step 2: Choose your QR Code type and enter details

For example, choose the “Website” option to promote a sale and paste the sale page URL. 

Click “NEXT” to proceed. You can also choose other QR Code types, such as:

• Websites
• PDF
• Multiple content (Linkpage)
• Surveys and feedback (Forms) and more…

Step 3: Customize your QR Code

Select a shape, frame, and CTA, and match colors with your poster design.

Use the real-time scannability tool to ensure “EXCELLENT” scan quality.

Step 4: Save and download

Test-scan the QR Code with your device. Then, download it in PNG format to use in your existing poster design.

Save the QR Code design as a template for consistent future campaigns if needed.

Step 5: Optional—if you’re using Canva templates

Step 5.1: In Canva, open the “Apps” panel on the left, search for “Uniqode QR,” and click “Use in existing design.”

Step 5.2: Connect your Uniqode account by entering your API Key and Organization ID:

• Go to the Uniqode dashboard, click “API” in the menu, and copy the credentials. When prompted, paste them into Canva.

Once connected, access your saved QR Codes directly on Canva. Customize these templates to your liking and drag and drop the QR Codes on top of the Uniqode logo.

Can I use built-in QR Codes on Canva or Adobe Illustrator?  

You can use the built-in QR Codes with some design tools such as Canva and Adobe Illustrator, but this comes with some baggage.  

Here’s the deal: native options like Canva and Adobe offer static QR Codes, which work well for simple, one-time uses where you don’t need to update content. 

However, static QR Codes come with a lot of limitations you need to be aware of:

❌No content editing: You can’t update the embedded content after printing

❌No scan tracking: Gain no insights into your audience’s engagement

❌No bulk creation: Batch generation for extensive campaigns isn’t an option

❌No advanced features: You won’t find marketing-centric capabilities such as retargeting, GPS tracking, multilingual support, etc

❌Security risks: Most free tools lack the industry-grade security that premium tools like Uniqode offer, even for free QR Codes

Dynamic QR Codes, such as the ones you can make using Uniqode, come with advanced marketing capabilities. Here’s why they’re worth it:

✅Editable content: Update or redirect the content without reprinting the QR Code

✅Real-time analytics: Track scans and monitor campaign performance

✅Time-based campaigns: Set expiration dates for limited-time offers like discounts

✅Multilingual support: Redirect users to localized content based on their region

✅A/B testing: Optimize campaigns by determining which content drives more scans

With dynamic QR Codes, your posters become powerful marketing calls to action that bridge offline touchpoints to online engagement, rather than a mere URL redirection. 

How to edit content in a poster QR Code even after it’s printed

Follow the simple steps to edit a QR Code after printing:

1. Find the list of QR Codes in your Uniqode dashboard

2. Find your QR Code from the list and click “Edit” on the right side of the box. This will take you to the “Setup” tab by default. 

3. Click “Select type” on the left side of the Setup. Continue inserting the relevant source (URL, PDF, etc.), and hit save.

Top brands that nailed QR Codes for poster marketing: From footer to spotlight

QR Codes have evolved from an afterthought at the bottom of posters to a leading element in marketing campaigns, offering brands an interactive way to engage audiences. 

Here are some examples of QR Code poster campaigns and how you can replicate their impact: 

1. Intel’s “Visibly Smart” Campaign

🤩 What we liked: Intel used the QR Codes strategically in the design of the billboards, blending harmoniously with the campaign’s visuals to ensure a cohesive and engaging user experience.

💡 Areas of improvement:  The QR Code’s connection to the overall “Visibly Smart” campaign theme could have been more explicit by implementing Augmented Reality experiences after scanning the QR Code.

Intel pioneered QR Code on posters a decade ago with their “Visibly Smart” campaign, part of a larger marketing initiative launched in 2010. It aimed to highlight Intel’s focus on innovation and performance, emphasizing how their processors could enhance the visual experience on computers.

The QR Code on the billboard was used to redirect users to a dedicated microsite or landing page with more information about the campaign, product specifications, and potentially exclusive offers.

2. Nutrichoice’s AR-powered ad campaign 

🤩 What we liked: Creative implementation where the poster pops out of the newspaper, creating an immersive and interactive experience

💡 Areas of improvement:  Nothing, it’s a brilliant execution.

Nutrichoice’s AR-powered ad turned mundane newspapers into something straight out of Hogwarts!  

Upon scanning a seemingly standard newspaper ad, the static image came to life with a video showing Britannia NutriChoice Digestive biscuits made with 100% whole wheat flour and 0% refined flour. 

This interactive experience was also made available through posters at various retail touchpoints, enhancing consumer engagement beyond print ads.

3. Taco Bell’s Edible QR Code campaign

🤩What we liked: A well-done skeuomorphic design in QR Codes for promotional materials

💡Areas of improvement: The campaign could incorporate a clearer CTA to scan the QR Code 

Image source

Taco Bell has been incorporating QR Codes into its promotional campaigns for many years. In this example, the food chain nailed the creative with skeuomorphic—designs that mimic real-life objects—QR Codes which looked like the main ingredients on its menu, such as lemons and avocado. 

Taco Bell placed these QR Codes in print ads published in US Weekly and People magazines. The campaign was an initiative to promote “Taco Bell Cantinas,” the restaurant’s attempt at serving a gourmet menu.

4. The Oglivy QR Codes

🤩 What we liked: A visually engaging and artistic QR Code design that effectively integrates branding elements into the poster while sparking curiosity.

💡 Areas of improvement: The campaign could benefit from a stronger and more prominent call-to-action (CTA) to encourage scanning, ensuring maximum engagement.

Ogilvy Portugal used this QR Code poster as part of a creative campaign displayed at Praça Duque de Saldanha. 

The QR Code pointed users to their website, showcasing how ideas are born. This innovative design combines the utility of QR Codes with a visually rich, illustrative style to capture attention and emphasize creativity. 

5. VIVA Cash’s QR Code Campaign

🤩 What we liked: A creative integration of QR Codes into product-themed visuals (e.g., burger, perfume, shopping cart) that effectively captures attention while linking directly to the VIVA Cash app. 

• The campaign’s visually diverse designs aligned well with its multi-platform adaptability, making it stand out in outdoor and social media spaces.

💡 Areas of improvement: Nothing, it’s a brilliant execution.

VIVA Cash used this QR Code campaign to promote its mobile wallet app across platforms, creatively embedding QR Codes in visuals representing shopping, dining, and fashion. 

With over 800 merchant partnerships in Bahrain, the campaign showcased adaptability and collaboration through partner-specific executions. And their use of QR Codes as a central branding theme is commendable.

How Poster QR Codes work

Poster QR Codes act as a bridge between offline and online marketing efforts, allowing businesses to engage customers directly through print materials. Here’s how they work:

• Simplify access to information: With a quick scan, viewers can instantly access important information such as product details, promotional offers, or event registrations.
• Enable quick actions: QR Codes on posters empower users to take actions such as making purchases, booking services, or downloading apps in seconds.
• Enhance campaign tracking: You can monitor and measure the success of your campaigns by tracking QR Code scans and understanding engagement metrics such as location, time, and device type.
• Boost offline-to-online conversions: They seamlessly guide offline audiences to digital platforms, reducing friction in the customer journey and improving conversion rates.

By integrating Poster QR Codes into your print campaigns, you not only make your materials interactive but also gain valuable insights into audience behavior.

Best practices to follow while making a QR Code for posters

When designing a QR Code for posters, the context of its use and viewing environment plays a critical role. Here are the best practices to keep in mind while designing QR Codes for posters:

Optimize your poster campaigns with QR Codes

With Uniqode, creating and customizing QR Codes for posters is a breeze. You can easily edit the destination URL, track scans, bulk-generate QR Codes, and manage everything from a single dashboard. 

Want to see how QR Codes for posters can benefit your brand or business? Give it a try!

Frequently asked questions

1. Can you put a QR Code on a poster?

Yes, you can put a QR Code on a poster. QR Codes are a great way to bridge the gap between offline and online marketing efforts. You can seamlessly direct viewers to your website or any other online destination by including a QR Code on your poster.

2. Will QR Codes work on printed posters?

Yes, QR Codes can work on printed posters. You can integrate QR Codes on posters of all sizes.

3. How do I create a free QR Code for a flyer?

You can create and put a QR Code on a flyer using Uniqode’s QR Code generator:

1. Go to Uniqode’s QR Code Generator and click “+Create”
2. Choose the QR Code campaign type and input the details
3. Customize the QR Code 
4. Save, download, and share your QR Code

• 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