QR Code stickers bring a fresh way for businesses to connect with customers by blending the physical and digital worlds. With a quick smartphone scan, these small, scannable decals can take users directly to websites, product information, social media pages, and more—turning everyday interactions into impactful digital connections.
From packaging and menus to event materials, QR Code stickers transform ordinary touchpoints into opportunities to build stronger relationships with your audience. Businesses can increase visibility and drive conversions by sharing relevant information, tips, and instructions through QR Code stickers.
Want to supercharge your customer engagement strategy? Here’s everything you need to know about QR Code stickers.
Note: The brands and examples discussed below were found during our online research for this article.
What are QR Code stickers?
QR Code stickers are adhesive labels with Quick Response (QR) Codes printed on them. These codes can store URLs, contact details, or other digital information users can access by scanning the sticker with their devices.
The beauty of these stickers lies in their portability—you can apply them to packaging, flyers, menus, promotional materials, and pretty much anything else to create instant interaction points.
A QR Code sticker on product packaging might direct customers to an installation video or care instructions. Conversely, restaurants might add them to tables or menus to link diners to nutritional details or seasonal specials.
How custom QR Code stickers can benefit your business
No matter the industry, QR Code stickers make it easier to connect with customers and give them the information they need—when they need it—delivering benefits like:
Increased customer engagement
QR Code stickers are an excellent way to shorten the path between discovery and action. A quick scan can lead customers to your website, an exclusive offer, or a tutorial—no need to type a long URL or search for your content. This makes it simple for customers to act immediately and engage with your brand.
Custom QR Codes from Bitly take it further by adding a creative twist. You can match the code to your brand by incorporating your logo and colors, making it eye-catching and unmistakably yours. These thoughtful details boost brand recognition and encourage more people to scan and explore your content.
Flexibility and versatility across industries
QR Code stickers offer unmatched flexibility, serving diverse industries from retail and food service to event management and manufacturing. They’re also incredibly cost-effective, making them a powerful tool for small businesses.
Businesses can use these stickers on product packaging to provide detailed instructions or showcase product features. Restaurants can include QR Codes on takeout menus to direct diners to online ordering systems. Likewise, event organizers can place them on signage and itineraries for easy access to schedules or speaker profiles.
Bitly offers QR Code solutions for nearly any use case you can think of, making it easy to leverage them across all touchpoints and workflows, no matter which industry you’re in.
Tracking and analytics
Bitly’s paid plans offer robust tracking tools that transform QR Code stickers into data-driven assets. Businesses can monitor detailed metrics, including total scans and scans by date, location (city/country), and device type (Apple or Android). This level of insight allows marketers to understand how and when customers interact with their QR Codes, helping them refine engagement strategies.
Marketers managing multiple QR Code stickers can assign unique Bitly Links to each one and track performance across locations or campaigns. A retailer, for example, could analyze which in-store displays generate the most scans or track how a promotional QR Code performs in different cities.
Bitly Analytics consolidates all short link and QR Code data into one user-friendly dashboard, enabling businesses to make smarter, more impactful decisions.
Best practices for designing and using sticker QR Codes
Now that we’ve explored QR Code stickers and their benefits, let’s shift our focus to how you can make the most of these handy tools. These best practices will help you design and implement sticker QR Codes that maximize engagement and enhance customer interactions.
Design with clarity in mind
QR Code stickers work best when they’re simple, visually appealing, and functional, but like all marketing materials, they need strong call-to-action (CTA). Your QR Code CTA should be clear and engaging, such as “Scan to Learn More” or “Get Your Discount,” giving customers a reason to interact with the code.
To ensure the QR Code works seamlessly:
- Use high-contrast colors for the background and code itself.
- Maintain a quiet zone (white space) around the code to avoid interference.
- Make sure the QR Code is large enough to scan correctly—the minimum size is 2 cm by 2 cm, but you’ll need to scale up if customers will be scanning from a distance.
- Always use a high-quality image to prevent scanning errors.
- Double-check that the embedded link is accurate and takes scanners to the right place.
It’s also a good idea to brand your QR Codes with your logo and colors so they’re instantly recognizable and garner trust. More people are learning how to spot fake QR Codes and may hesitate to scan a generic code.
Choose the right placement
Where you place your QR Code sticker matters as much as its design—stickers should be positioned where customers can easily see and scan them. So think about areas where your audience naturally engages with your brand, whether that’s restaurant menus, shipping boxes, or checkout counters in retail stores.
Ensuring the QR Code is in a customer’s line of sight and at a convenient scanning distance boosts engagement significantly. And if you need QR Codes for outdoor use, make sure you print them on vinyl stickers or another type of weatherproof sticker material for longevity. A matte finish is also ideal to eliminate glares that may interfere with scanning.
Test your QR Code stickers
Before launching your QR Code campaign, test your stickers to verify they work flawlessly. Check the QR Code’s scannability on both Android and iOS devices, and test it in various lighting conditions, such as bright sunlight and dim indoor settings.
Identify any issues, such as broken links or codes that don’t scan easily, before they reach your customers. This step prevents customer frustration and reflects well on your brand. Taking the time to test shows your attention to detail and commitment to providing a seamless experience.
Use Dynamic QR Codes (Like Bitly Codes)
Dynamic QR Codes add flexibility to your campaigns by allowing you to update the content or links behind the QR Code without reprinting. You can change the linked URL or file instantly, so your QR Codes stay relevant and up-to-date long term.
When you use Bitly to create Dynamic QR Codes, you get the added benefit of streamlined management and advanced insights. Bitly offers tools to track performance and organize multiple codes within a single campaign. This adaptability saves time and resources and keeps your campaigns responsive to changing needs.
Examples of how to use QR Code stickers across industries
QR Codes are useful across various industries, from retail and hospitality to healthcare and transportation. Let’s look at examples of how businesses can use QR Code stickers to enhance the customer experience and drive engagement.
Retail products
QR Code stickers encourage deeper brand engagement and foster customer loyalty by linking to additional resources. Retailers can use QR Code stickers on product packaging to give customers instant access to detailed information, such as product specifications, user guides, or customer reviews.
For example, scanning a QR Code on a skincare product can reveal ingredients and application tips. This enhances the customer experience by addressing questions directly at the point of purchase, building trust and confidence in the product.
Food service and restaurants
The hospitality industry is booming and expected to contribute $1.1 trillion in sales to the U.S. economy in 2024. But with so much competition, not to mention tight profit margins, restaurant owners are always looking for ways to stand out and deliver a superior customer experience—on a budget.
QR Code stickers are an affordable, convenient way to give diners a seamless experience. Place them on tables, menus, or takeout packaging to connect customers with useful information or services.
QR Codes for restaurants can lead to online ordering platforms, detailed nutritional information, customer feedback forms, seasonal menus, and more. For example, a QR Code on a takeout box might link to a discount code to encourage repeat business.
Events or conferences
Event organizers use QR Code stickers on badges, brochures, and venue signage to provide attendees with essential details like event schedules, venue maps, or speaker bios. These stickers make it easy for participants to access updates, session information, or even networking tools with a quick scan.
For instance, QR Codes for concerts and music festivals could link to artist lineup details, while those on conference badges might connect scanners to attendee contact info. By eliminating the need for manual searches, QR Code stickers streamline the event experience and ensure attendees stay informed and up-to-date.
Real estate
QR Codes for realtors create a seamless information flow, improving efficiency for both buyers and sellers. Real estate agents can leverage QR Code stickers on for-sale signs, property flyers, or brochures to deliver immediate access to property details, virtual tours, or agent contact information.
A potential buyer might scan a QR Code on a sign to view photos, floor plans, and neighborhood information right on their smartphone. This streamlined process eliminates barriers, making it easier for buyers to explore properties and connect with agents.
How to create and manage QR Code stickers with Bitly
Bitly makes it easy to create your own QR Code stickers and track their performance to boost engagement. Follow these steps to get started:
- Sign up or log in: Access your Bitly account through an existing login or new registration.
- Create a QR Code: Select “Create new” and choose “QR Code” from the menu options.
- Enter destination URL: Provide the link or upload the file that you want your code to direct scanners to.
- Customize the QR Code: Add your logo and adjust the code’s style, colors, frame, and CTA to reflect your brand identity. Save custom designs as templates for future use, ensuring consistency across campaigns.
- Generate and download: Finalize the design and download the QR Code as a JPG, PNG, or SVG file.
- Print as stickers: Transfer the high-resolution file to a printing service or use in-house equipment to print your QR Code on stickers.
Bitly allows you to create multiple QR Codes and provides detailed scan tracking and analytics to monitor performance. And with our Dynamic QR Codes, you can update the destination URL without reprinting, making campaigns adaptable and cost-effective.
Transform your customer interactions with QR Code stickers
QR Code stickers offer a convenient way for businesses to connect with customers by providing instant access to product details, promotions, feedback tools, and more. They’re a versatile solution for driving engagement by bridging physical and digital interactions.
Bitly’s Dynamic QR Codes make it easy to capitalize on these benefits and create and manage all the codes you need. With customizable designs, real-time tracking, and the ability to update links without reprinting, we help businesses across industries save time and maintain flexibility.
Ready to put QR Code stickers to work for your business? Get started with Bitly now.
