A flyer is read once. A notepad with your logo sits on a desk for months, a pen travels from bag to bag, a mug is used every day. That makes promotional items one of the best places for a QR code, as long as the code still works when someone finally scans it.
Why promotional items need a dynamic code
You order notepads in a run of 500 or 1,000, and they'll be used for a year or more. In that time your website changes, your offer changes, maybe your phone number does too. A static code points to one address forever. A dynamic code can be pointed somewhere new whenever you like, so the last sheet of the notepad still leads to the right place.
And because each scan is counted, you'll finally see whether your merchandise does anything at all.
Where the code works best
- Notepads and sticky notes. A small code in the bottom corner of every sheet. Point it to booking, your newest offer, or a page to reorder.
- Pens. Only the flattest part is usable, so keep the code around 1.5 to 2 cm and test it carefully. Engraving needs high contrast.
- Mugs. Place the code on the side away from the handle curve, not across it. Around 2.5 to 3 cm.
- Tote bags. Fabric moves, so print the code bigger (5 cm or more) and away from seams.
- Calendars and diaries. One code for the year, with a destination you change every month or season.
- Stickers and labels. Small, cheap and easy to put on anything you hand out.
Size and print
On promotional items the scan distance is short, usually 20 to 30 cm, so 2 × 2 cm is often enough. Two things help a small code stay readable:
- Keep the link short. A dynamic code holds a short link, so it has fewer, bigger dots than a code with a long web address.
- Ask your supplier for the right file. Most merchandise printers want a vector file: download the code as SVG.
Always order a proof and scan it with a couple of phones before the full run. Engraving, embroidery and curved surfaces can each make a code harder to read.
What to link to
Give people a reason to scan that fits the item:
- A notepad on a client's desk: "Reorder or book an appointment."
- A pen at a fair: "Get our brochure", pointing to a PDF you can update.
- A mug in a hotel room: "Breakfast menu and WiFi."
- A tote bag after an event: "See the photos and next year's date."
Make sure it lasts as long as the item
Merchandise lasts longer than most campaigns, so check what happens to your codes if you ever stop paying for the tool. At DotQR, your printed codes never break: even on the Free plan they keep pointing where they point today, with no end date and no scan limit.
More on sizes and placement in QR codes on print.