Print a wedding QR code at least 2.5–3 cm (about 1 in) wide on invitations and place cards, 4–5 cm (about 1.5–2 in) on table cards, and 8 cm (3 in) or larger on bar and entrance signs. A useful rule: the code should be at least one-tenth of the distance guests will scan from — so a sign read from 1 metre away needs a code about 10 cm wide.
Size is only half of it. Contrast, paper and light matter just as much. Here's everything that decides whether a phone reads your code on the first try.
The 10-to-1 rule
Phones can reliably read a QR code from about ten times its width. Work backwards from where guests will stand:
| Where | Scanning distance | Minimum code size |
|---|---|---|
| Invitation, place card | 20–30 cm (in hand) | 2.5–3 cm / 1 in |
| Table card | 40–50 cm (seated) | 4–5 cm / 1.5–2 in |
| Bar or welcome table sign | 60–100 cm | 8–10 cm / 3–4 in |
| Entrance poster, easel | 1–2 m | 12–20 cm / 5–8 in |
When in doubt, go bigger. Nobody has ever complained that a QR code was too easy to scan.
Keep the link short. The longer the web address, the denser the code — more, smaller squares that are harder to read when printed small. Wedding services usually give you a short link for exactly this reason.
Print sizes that work
Standard sizes that fit most weddings:
- Table cards: A6 (105 × 148 mm) or 4×6 in. Four fit on one A4 or letter page.
- Bar and welcome-table signs: A5 (148 × 210 mm) or 5×7 in.
- Entrance signs: A4 or larger (A3, 11×17 in, or an easel poster).
Wedding Reels' built-in sign designer exports print-ready PDFs in all three sizes — small table cards (four per A4 page), medium signs for the bar and welcome table, and a large poster for the entrance — with margins set so nothing falls into a home printer's unprintable edge. You can try it in the free wedding QR code generator.
Contrast and colour
- Dark code on a light background. Black or a deep colour on white or cream is ideal. Reversed codes (light on dark) fail on some phones.
- Coloured codes are fine as long as the colour is dark — navy, forest green, deep burgundy. Pale pink, gold foil and light grey are risky.
- Leave a quiet zone: a clear margin around the code at least as wide as four of its small squares. Don't let borders, text or flowers touch the code.
- No busy backgrounds. Don't print the code over a photo, a floral pattern or a watercolour wash.
Paper and finish
- Matte beats gloss. Glossy card and lamination reflect venue lights and candles; the glare can stop a phone from reading the code.
- Heavier card (250–350 gsm) stands up better on tables and doesn't curl.
- Acrylic and mirror signs look beautiful but reflect light. If you use one, print the code on a matte white panel rather than directly on the acrylic.
- Foil and letterpress codes are elegant but can scan poorly. Test a proof before ordering a full run.
Test before you print everything
Print one proof on the paper you'll actually use, then:
- Scan with two different phones — ideally one iPhone, one Android, one of them a few years old.
- Scan from the real distance — seated at a table, standing at the bar.
- Scan in low light — dim the room or test in the evening.
- Scan at an angle — guests won't always face it square-on.
- Complete the flow — make sure the page loads and an upload actually arrives on your end.
Why won't my wedding QR code scan?
The usual culprits, in order:
- Too small for the distance. Use the 10-to-1 rule above.
- Low contrast. Pale colours, gold foil, or a light code on a dark background.
- Glare. Glossy paper, lamination or glass. Switch to matte or angle the sign.
- No quiet zone. Decorations touching the code confuse the scanner.
- Blurry print. A low-resolution PNG or a screenshot stretched to fit. Always use the original high-resolution file or a vector PDF/SVG.
- Expired dynamic code. Some free generators route codes through their own servers and switch them off after a trial. Use a static code or one provided by your wedding service.
- The link is wrong. A typo in the address, or a page that isn't live yet. Scan and complete the flow before printing.
Printing at home vs a print shop
Home printing works well for table cards if you have a decent printer and good matte card. A print shop is worth it for large signs, heavy card stock, or a lot of copies — and they'll usually do a proof.
Either way, print a couple of spares. Table cards get wine on them.
Frequently asked questions
What's the smallest a wedding QR code can be? About 2 cm (0.8 in) for something held in the hand, like an invitation. Smaller than that is unreliable.
Can I put a QR code on a wedding cake or napkins? You can, but test carefully — textured surfaces and printed napkins often scan poorly. Treat these as fun extras, not your main codes.
Does the QR code need to be black? No. Any dark colour on a light background works; just test it.
Next: where to put your signs, or set up your code with Wedding Reels and download print-ready signs in minutes.
