Magazine QR code
Magazine QR code: take a printed story further
Print a QR code beside a story that opens the map, the full recipe, more photos or the whole issue as a PDF, and find out which stories readers scan.
Swap the file anytime. The printed QR code keeps working.
Uploading. Keep this page open.
Where should the code go?
File uploaded. Enter your email to get your link.
Enter the code
Sent to . It expires in 10 minutes.
Your link is ready
Free: every feature on 3 links, including who opened it and time on each page.
Opening it from here does not count as an open.
See when it is seenYour private stats page. Keep it to yourself: anyone with it can see the stats.Both links are in your email too. Upgrade to Pro.
How to add a QR code to a magazine
From the page to the extra in three steps
Print stays the main read; the code is for the reader who wants more.
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Step 1
Upload the extra
The trail maps, the uncut interview, a gallery, or the digital edition of the issue.
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Step 2
Place the code beside the story
End of the article or in the margin, with a line such as "Scan for the trail maps".
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Step 3
See which stories pull
One link per story means one open count per story, so you learn what readers follow up on.
Printing codes on magazine paper
- Glossy stock reflects light. Under a lamp, glare can hide part of the code. Print it a little larger than on matte paper, at least 2.5 cm (1 in).
- Stay away from the gutter. A code that curves into the binding is hard to scan. Keep it on the flat part of the page.
- Some damage is fine. QR codes carry built-in error correction, so a small crease or ink spot still scans. A missing corner square does not.
- Plan the dates. Back issues sit in waiting rooms for years. Leave the links without an expiry date unless the extra is truly time-limited.
One code per story
A separate link for each story turns the issue into a small reader survey: the open counts show which features people wanted more of. The free plan has 3 links, which covers a handful of key stories; Pro removes the limit for an issue with a code on every spread.
For a zine or a small press run, a single code on the back cover that opens the whole issue as a PDF is often enough, and it lets readers pass it on.
FAQ
Magazine QR code questions
What is the downside of QR codes in print?
Not every reader will scan, so the printed story has to stand on its own. Links can also break when a site moves. A link you control and keep live avoids the second problem.
Is it legal to put a QR code on a billboard or in an ad?
QR codes themselves are not restricted. The ad still has to follow the usual advertising rules where it runs, and the page behind the code should match what the ad promises.
How big should a QR code be in a magazine?
At least 2.5 cm (1 in) wide on glossy paper, with a clear white margin around it. Bigger is better for a code on a cover that may be read from across a shop.
Can readers scan a code in a digital edition?
Not easily on the same screen. In a PDF edition, add the written link under the code so it can be tapped.
Can I see which stories were scanned?
Yes, if each story has its own link. Every link has its own stats page with opens by day and by country.
More QR codes