Free PDF QR Code generator: Convert PDFs to QR Codes & Track PDF Downloads

What is a PDF QR Code?

A PDF QR Code is a unique QR Code directly linking to a PDF document when scanned. This feature allows anyone with a mobile device to instantly access and download the PDF file without needing a website or a file download button. The convenience of PDF QR Codes makes it quick to share documents and allows for easy access to critical information.

PDF QR Codes are most commonly used to share:

• Restaurant menus
• Instruction manuals
• Blueprints
• Brochures
• And any PDF you want people to access easily

How to create a QR Code for a PDF file?

The easiest way to convert a PDF to a QR Code is using Uniqode’s PDF QR Code generator. Just follow the simple steps below:

Step 1: Sign in to Uniqode and choose "QR Codes”

Once you choose "QR Codes" from the left menu, click “+CREATE." Then choose "PDF" as your QR Code type.

NOTE: You can sign up for a zero-cost and no-commitment 14-day trial to get started.

Step 2: Upload your PDF document

You can either upload your PDF file or paste the PDF URL, whatever is accessible.

For your information, the PDF QR Code is dynamic by default. This means that you can always go back and update the destination link of your editable QR Code.

Step 3: Customize the design of the QR Code

With our QR Code maker, you can customize various aspects of the QR Code to suit your brand aesthetic.

Here are five key QR Code design elements that you can customize to create a visually appealing QR Code:

1. QR Code shape: Choose between a standard square or a circle QR Code
2. QR Code color: Make the QR Code consistent with your brand colors
3. QR Code logo: Add your brand or PDF logo to the QR Code to boost brand recall
4. QR Code background: Select from solid colors, images, or transparent QR Code background
5. Frame and CTA: Include an attractive frame and an action-oriented QR Code CTA to improve the scan rate

Step 4: Download QR Code in preferred format and test

Once you are happy with how the PDF QR Code looks, click "FINISH," test it, download it in a suitable format, and print it.

You can download your PDF QR Code in SVG, EPS, PNG, JPEG, or PDF format.

Can I edit my PDF QR Code?

Many people know that dynamic QR Codes let you change the destination content without updating the QR Code itself. Does that also work for PDFs, like this Reddit user 👆has asked?

The short answer is yes.

If you’re creating a dynamic QR Code, you can update the PDF URL or replace the PDF file in the backend without reprinting a new QR Code.

If you’re using Uniqode, updating a PDF with a QR Code is simple. Just follow these steps:

Step 1: In the QR Codes section, select "All"

Choose the QR Code you wish to update and click "Edit."

Step 2: Upload the new PDF

Upload your new PDF, delete the old one, and click "Next."

Step 3: Make changes in the PDF QR Code design and click "Next"

And just like that, you edited your existing QR Code without creating a new one!

Top PDF QR Code use-cases for power users

Are you looking to level up your PDF QR Codes? Imagine a QR Code scan that:

• Leads to a specific section in a PDF
• Adapts to your user's language
• Switches PDF based on the time of day

At Uniqode, we constantly hear from our customers about the innovative ways they use QR Codes to make their job easier and deliver stellar user experience. Here are some of the ways our power users use a PDF QR Code:

⚡ Point users to a section within a PDF

What: While most QR Codes point users to the beginning of a PDF file, as a power user, you may want to link to a particular page or a section in the PDF. A section-specific PDF QR Code helps with this exact use case.

How: The easiest way to do this is by using Google Drive:

1. 1. Upload your PDF file on Google Drive. Then, open the PDF file, click share, and make it accessible to everyone as a viewer.

1. 2. Highlight the specific section or heading and add a comment. Then click the three-dot menu on the comment to select "Link to this comment."

1. 3. If you’ve successfully commented, you can use the kebab menu button (three dots) to like the comment link. Copy the displayed URL, open Uniqode's portal, and create your PDF QR Code with this link. The workflow remains the same.

⚡ Create a location-based multi-language PDF QR Code

What: You can create a multi-language PDF QR Code that dynamically switches PDFs based on the user's location.

For example, a PDF QR Code that links to your product’sEnglish user manual can point to different PDFs based on the user's country. So, when scanned, a Japanese user sees the Japanese PDF, while an American user sees the English PDF—from the same QR Code.

How:

1. 1. Log in to Uniqode, navigate the QR Code creation menu, and select "PDF QR Code."

1. 2. Toggle the "Multi-language support" option. Add the languages/locales and upload the respective PDFs for each. Uniqode automatically shows the relevant PDF based on the user's device locale.

1. Note — You can choose which of these PDFs to make your default. If the device locale doesn't match the URLs provided, the user will be taken to the default URL.
2. 3. Customize your QR Codes with your brand logo, colors, and shapes. Then, hit next and download the code in your desired format.

1. 🚨Pro tip: You can enable location tracking of your QR Code from the customization window to track the GPS location of your PDF viewers.

⚡ Create a time-based PDF QR Code

What: Time-based QR Codes are ideal for changing content based on the time of day. For example, a restaurant might want to display a special discounted menu during happy hours.

How:

1. 1. Log in to Uniqode, go to "+Create," and select "Smart Rules."

1. 2. You can choose single or multiple rules per your use case to create a Smart QR Code for PDF. Choose your rule and enter the values. For this example, I am using a time-based rule where I have specified the time and the content I want users to see when scanned within the window. There’s also a box to insert an alternative resource you want users to see should they scan outside the time window.

1. 3. Customize your QR Codes with your brand logo, colors, and shapes. Then, hit next and download the code in your desired format.

1. 💡Pro tip: Time-based QR Codes are just one example of the available "Smart Rules." You can apply other rules for more customization:

What are the benefits of a PDF QR Code?

A PDF QR Code can be more useful than you can think of. Take a look below:

1. Customizability

Trust plays an essential role in QR Code scans for all the right reasons. If users don’t know the QR Code, they may be apprehensive about scanning.

Customizing a QR Code to add your brand colors, a logo in the middle, and a CTA saying what to scan for can go a long way to inspiring trust with your customers and consequently lead more people to scan.

Your audience will likely interact with a customizable QR Code representing your brand. With Uniqode’s PDF QR Code generator, you can adjust colors, shapes, and backgrounds and add logos and CTAs for a branded experience.

Liked a specific customization and want to replace the same design? You can save QR Code templates on Uniqode. To do this, follow the steps above to create a PDF QR Code, and at the final step, choose "Advanced settings" and "Save template" to create a template for consistent future use.

2. Password protection

You can Password-protected QR Codes if you share confidential information in PDF, such as contracts, offer letters, or other classified information. In this way, only authorized individuals with the key can scan and view the PDF. For others, it’ll be a locked document.

To password-protect your QR Code, follow the same steps for creation. In the final step, go to the "Advanced settings" and turn on "Password protection."

3. Detailed analytics

Are you using a PDF QR Code for strategic or critical purposes? How do you measure the performance and reliability of the QR Code? A native feature of dynamic QR Codes is their ability to track scans and other QR Code data, such as the duration of engagement, location, device used, etc.

For example, if you’re using a PDF QR Code to share training and compliance materials with dozens of team members, comparing the scan number with the number of team members can give you an idea of how many team members viewed the materials.

4. Retargeting

Building upon more strategic use cases, you can target users who scan your PDF QR Code with ads on Google and Meta long after they scan it.

For example, sales teams can retarget users based on the number of PDF downloads or visitors to the website who didn't download the PDF, etc.

What are the best use cases of PDF QR Codes?

PDF QR Codes allow users to view or download PDF with a simple scan. Here's how various industries can use PDF QR Codes:

1. Restaurants

QR Codes linked to restaurant menus offer a modern alternative to traditional paper menus. Here are some ways to use it:

• Interactive menus: Embed high-quality photos of your dishes in the linked PDF for a visual feast before guests place an order.
• Disclose allergen information: Provide allergen and ingredient information in a PDF for guests with dietary restrictions.
• Seasonal specials and promotions: Offer an updated menu with dynamic PDF QR Codes without reprinting menus with every change.
• Link to reservation system or loyalty program: Integrate a call-to-action within the PDF menu so guests can book or enroll in your loyalty program directly from their phones.

2. Educational Institutions

• Lecture notes: Professors can include QR Codes linked to detailed PDFs so students can revisit critical points without relying solely on paper handouts.
• Infographics: Share resources for complex topics with a QR Code from the infographic. Students can use it as a reference material while attending lectures or self-preparing.
• Supplementary learning materials: Provide students with additional resources, such as articles or research papers, with PDF QR Codes.
• Homework distribution and collection: Distribute homework assignments as downloadable PDFs using QR Codes.

3. Organizations

• Team member handbooks: Share team member handbooks as downloadable PDFs with QR Codes. This gives new hires independent access to essential information and reduces printing costs.
• Brochures and magazines: Embed QR Codes in printed brochures or magazines, linking readers to in-depth PDFs with additional details about your products, services, or company news.

4. Retail

• Smart receipts: Replace traditional paper receipts with PDF QR Codes. This reduces paper waste and lets customers find their receipts digitally, making returns or warranty claims easier.
• Assembly instructions and care guides: Include clear and concise instructions or care guides for complex products as downloadable PDFs using QR Codes on the packaging.

5. Manufacturing & Construction

The manufacturing and construction industries rely on clear communication and easy access to crucial information such as blueprints or product usage information. PDF QR Codes can play a vital role:

• Assembly and maintenance guides: Integrate detailed assembly and maintenance instructions in downloadable PDFs linked with QR Codes on product packaging or equipment. This empowers users with self-service and reduces reliance on physical manuals.

Best practices to follow while creating a PDF QR Code

To ensure optimal results, here are some best practices to follow when creating a PDF QR Code:

1. Add a CTA frame

PDF QR Codes with no CTA or text indicating where they lead can cause ambiguity and decrease scan rates. QR Codes with text below, such as "Scan to download PDF" or "Scan to view PDF," can nudge the scanner to engage with your QR Code.

2. Add a logo

Besides the CTA, a QR Code with a logo can help build customer trust. You can include your brand logo or a PDF logo to indicate what the QR Code will lead to upon scanning. This encourages viewers to scan and engage.

3. Pick the right QR Code size

Resizing QR Codes to a size smaller than 2x2 centimeters can compromise their scannability. Check out this QR Code sizing guide to know the resizing requirements for different materials!

4. Download QR Code in a suitable format

PNG or JPG formats work well for smaller print materials such as business cards or brochures. Choose vector QR Code formats such as SVG or EPS for larger media, such as billboards. This allows the QR Code to retain its scannability at any size without losing quality.

5. Ensure the content is accessible at all times

Visit your QR Code management platform’s dashboard frequently to update the codes. When you link your QR Code to an online PDF or upload a PDF, make sure that your content is updated and accessible at all times.

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