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Cookies and QR Codes
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Do you have any questions about QR codes? We listed down and answered the most frequently asked questions by our clients about QR codes and QR Stuff.
A QR code (Quick Response code) is a type of matrix barcode (or two-dimensional barcode) that can be read by devices equipped with a camera, such as smartphones. It was invented in 1994 by Denso Wave, a subsidiary of Toyota, to track vehicle parts during manufacturing. Unlike traditional barcodes that store data linearly in a series of parallel lines, QR codes store data in both vertical and horizontal directions, allowing for much greater storage capacity.
A QR code consists of several key components:
The data within a QR code is encoded using a combination of black and white squares. The encoding process involves several steps:
When a QR code is scanned, the following steps occur:
Static QR Code: The information contained in this type of QR code is permanent. Meaning, it is not possible to change the data or URL destination address once you're done creating it. Moreover, static QR codes won't let you follow or monitor the scan data. It just directs you to one URL.
Dynamic QR Code: You can monitor data with a dynamic QR code, and you may change the URL or content at any moment, saving you time and expense on printing. A static QR leads the user to your URL but the data cannot be monitored, and you cannot modify your URL. Dynamic QR codes are more beneficial for marketing since you can set up a QR code monitoring system to check the number of scans, the time when the user scanned, the scan location (city/country), and the user's device model (iPhone/Android).
Yes. You can view and interact with multiple pages and functions on our website as a free user. This includes the QR code scanner and the free version of the QR Code generator. However, limitations on data types, customisation, security and other features apply depending on your subscription.
The monthly subscription fee gives you access to the dashboard from which you can design, create, view scan analytics and manage your QR codes.
The different subscription packages reflect different QR code data types, functionality and features to suit your every need.
See the full list of features associated with each subscription here.
Yes. There are no restrictions on commercial use; however, scan limits and time limits may apply depending on your specific subscription.
The short answer is Yes, but the reality is that most users won't be affected by them.
Expired paying subscribers simply need to renew their subscription and the time and scan limit status of their account will be automatically reset from expired to current. If the limits are too restrictive then upgrading the subscription will reduce the limits imposed.
Free users who upgrade to a light or full paid account can contact us to have the QR codes they created as free user moved to their subscriber account which will remove the time and scan limit from them. This is a complimentary service for up to 10 QR codes.
Yes. Both our free and paid QR codes are guaranteed 100% ad-free. If you see an ad after scanning one of our QR codes, the QR code scanning app that you're using put it there.
No. The QR code is clearly defined and published as an open ISO standard. Denso Wave owns the patent rights on the QR code creation process, and the methods used to encode and create them, but has chosen not to exercise those rights. The term "QR code" itself is a registered trademark of Denso Wave Incorporated.
No.
No.
No.
No.
Because we are dealing with users from all time zones, our customer support is conducted by email or a phone or Skype call-back to you.
Finally, it should go without saying that we only provide support for QR codes created at QRStuff.com.
Subscribers can pay through either PayPal, Credit Card or Debit Card. Please note, only Visa or Mastercard are currently accepted. Enterprise customers can pay via invoice and bank settlement.
Yes. Discounted subscription pricing is available on request for primary, secondary and tertiary educational institutions and accredited education providers (HLC, IACET, etc) using QR codes for educational purposes, and for not-for-profit organization (federal 501 or 503 tax-exempt, or similar at a state level). In the case of not-for-profits, confirmation of not-for-profit status will be required.
Just open a full paid subscriber account in the name of your educational or not-for-profit organization and get a free upgrade to double your subscription period. eg; sign up for 1 months and get upgraded to 2 months free of charge. These account upgrades are done manually at our end, so you'll need to contact us to make it happen after you've set up and paid for your subscription - just send a quick email to support@qrstuff.com outlining who you work for and what your role there is and we'll take it from there.
We can send you a PayPal invoice that you can pay by Mastercard, Visa or PayPal account. If you are a Pro Suite or Enterprise Suite subscriber, we can send a PDF invoice that can be paid by international wire transfer into our bank account. Cheques, either business or personal, are not accepted. Once payment has been received your subscription account will be opened. Email us for more information.
We don't handle payments ourselves, but instead use a third party called Chargebee for the processing of all payments including PayPal and credit card. Because of this any error messages you see will have been issued by Chargebee themselves.
The most common reasons for Chargebee rejecting a credit card payment are:
The most common reasons for Chargebee rejecting a PayPal funds payment are:
To re-try the payment part of the process just attempt to log back into your QRStuff account. You will be told that your subscription has "expired”, and you will be provided with a "renew subscription" link. Simply click through and then try your payment again.
Yes. For full subscriptions of 3 months or more, if you're not happy with the service just email us to request a refund of the unused portion of your subscription fee. The refund will be made back to the payment method used for the subscription payment in question. Refunds are not available for 1-month payments.
Please Note: If you choose to dispute the transaction with PayPal or your credit card provider, rather than contacting us directly, the PayPal dispute process will lock the transaction and we will not be able to manually process a voluntary refund for you. From that point on the PayPal dispute process is out of our control and it may take up to 45 days for a transaction reversal to be affected, should your dispute be upheld.
There are 5 different tiers of subscription available:
In addition, if you sign up for an entire year subscription you will be eligible for a 10% discount on the stated monthly subscription cost.
If your account expires your QR codes will continue to function depending on the previous plan you were subscribed to. However, you will not have access to your subscriber account management dashboard. Additionally, a 10 scan/month limit will apply to each QR code.
When you attempt to log in to an expired account there will be a message saying your subscription has expired and a link will be displayed that allows you to renew your subscription.
While your account is active you have full access to the relevant subscriber feature set, however if your subscription expires your account isn't deleted, it simply goes dormant until you renew it again. Upon renewal you will have access to your account again and everything will be exactly as you left it, including the reporting and history details for all QR codes created previously.
If you upgrade plans or are transferring ownership of QR codes, we can transfer up to 500 QR codes for free. Above 500 codes we charge an administration fee of 0.5c per QR code transferred.
Yes, but since there's no sign-up process for free users, any QR codes that you create as a free user are created anonymously with no connection to you as a user, so they won't be transferred to your subscriber account automatically when you subsequently sign up for a paid subscription.
With some help from you regarding the content you placed into the QR code and the approximate creation date, or ideally the ID number of the QR code (the 8 digit number shown as part of the file name when you downloaded the QR code image file), we can usually track them down in the database and manually re-allocate them to your subscriber account. Alternatively, you can just email us the QR code in question and we can take it from there.
If you are an existing full paid subscriber, just contact us quoting your subscriber account number and QR code details if you need an old QR code transferred to your subscriber account. If you aren't a full subscriber yet, you will need to open a full subscriber account (1 month or longer), or upgrade from a trial subscription to a full subscription, prior to contacting us.
Please Note: This service is free of charge for the transfer of up to 10 QR codes and requires a current full paid subscriber account. Trial (24 hour) subscribers will need to upgrade to a full subscription, and expired subscribers will need to renew.
Your QRStuff subscription will become active automatically on completion of your payment through PayPal. If you have completed payment but your subscription has not been authorised, please contact us and we will try to resolve any issues within 24 to 48 hours.
At the top of each page is a "Forgot Password" link - click on it and follow the prompts. A new password will be emailed to the email address associated with your account.
The analytics data for redirected URLs using our URL shortener service is presented within your account dashboard in date searchable form showing date, time, device type and location for each scan event, and in real time. Presented in both table and graph form, the data is also available for download in Excel format or as a downloadable PDF report. Reporting is available for each unique dynamic QR code. Click here to view a screenshot or to download a sample PDF report.
No. Analytics data can only be collected if you create a dynamic QR code so that the user bounces back through our website via its encoded short URL, allowing us to collect the required data on the way through. Many other QR code generator websites force you to create a dynamic QR code whether you want to or not, but we've decided to make it optional so that you can have your actual website URL displayed when the QR code is scanned, rather than our short URL.
The downside of that is that since there's no tracking mechanism in the QR code itself, if you create a static QR code the visitor will scan the QR code and then go directly to the destination URL or encoded content without detouring through our server first. Because this gives us no opportunity to intercept that path and collect tracking data on your behalf, you will need to use something like Google Analytics at the URL that the code points to. Our blog post Using Google Analytics with QR Codes explains how.
If you specifically opt to create a static QR code, analytics reporting will not be available for it, and can't be added to it later - the choice between static and dynamic is a one-time thing that can't be subsequently changed.
When you log into your subscriber account, your account dashboard is accessed by a link in the top right of the page. In the history report the "manage" tab to the right of each QR code record will open extended information about that QR code. Any dynamic QR codes that you've created will display an "Analytics" link to the right hand side of the detailed information listing for that QR code. If the "Analytics" option is not visible then the QR code you've created is a static QR code and analytics reporting is not available for it.
No. Identifiable user information (like phone numbers and email addresses) stored on the phone which is used to scan the QR code isn't accessible at all because of privacy and security protocols built into the phone itself.
When you log into your subscriber account dashboard, any dynamic QR codes that you've created will have an "Edit" option in the extended information about that QR code (click the "Manage" tab to the right of the history listing). Using that feature you can change the location that the short URL redirects to as often as you like without altering the QR code image. If the "Edit" option is not visible, then the QR code you've created is a static QR code and can't be edited. The choice between static and dynamic is a one-time thing that can't be subsequently changed, so it isn't possible to later add editing capability to a static QR code.
The QR code images available to free users are low resolution 72dpi PNG files, however high-resolution raster images (PNG, JPG, TIF up to 600dpi) and vector images (EPS, SVG, PDF, and DXF) are a standard part of the paid subscriber feature set. To create a new high-resolution QR code image, log into your subscriber account and an additional control panel will appear below the colour selector giving you control over output file type, image size, image resolution and QR code error correction level. To change the size, resolution, file type or error correction level of an existing QR code image log into your subscriber account dashboard and choose the "Modify Image" link in the extended information about that QR code (click the "Manage" tab to the right of the history listing).
We recommend no smaller than 2cm (0.8") however the minimum size of the QR code will be dependent on:
Regardless of the size of the QR code, the finished QR code should be tested thoroughly in its intended final setting to make sure that it works at that size.
Yes. In a QR code the dark bits are always interpreted as data so the dots always need to be a darker colour than the background. The reliability of the QR code is also determined by the contrast difference between the dots and the background, so pale grey dots on a white background will be difficult for some scanning devices to read and the code may not function properly. Short version: Choose whatever colours you want but always make sure the dots are a significantly darker colour than the background - we suggest at least 70% darker to ensure reliable scanning. ...and always test your QR code to make sure it works using the colours you've chosen.
To create your own personalised and branded QR code image, just log into your QRStuff.com account, create your QR code, upload your logo or image, and it will be automatically placed in the centre of your QR code at an optimal size and position that maintains the scan reliability of your QR code. This feature is available to paid subscribers and supports the insertion of JPG, PNG and GIF files up to 6Mb in size. Images can be added to dynamic and static QR codes across all data types, and, through your paid subscriber account dashboard, you can replace or remove a previously inserted logo or image or add one to any pre-existing QR code regardless of how long ago it was created.
Yes. QR codes have up to 30% error correction redundancy built into them so that theoretically up to 30% of the code image can be removed and replaced with an embedded image and the code "should" still function. While it is possible to add an image inside the the QR code, reducing this 30% safety buffer moves the QR code closer to the point where it becomes potentially unstable and may not be readable in some lighting conditions, colours and display sizes. There are also some areas of the code that are more sensitive to change than other areas, so great care should be taken.
This can be further complicated if the scanning software interprets any part of the embedded image as actual data and decodes the QR code incorrectly.
Here's a few pointers on do's and don'ts:
You will need to thoroughly test the QR code on multiple devices and scanning apps after you're done.
A "quiet zone" is placed around the QR code image when it's generated to separates the QR code from anything else in its surroundings. The quiet zone is used to buffer the code from its surroundings to prevent any adjacent images or text from being interpreted as part of the code image itself and interfering with the scanning of the code.
The size of the buffer zone is mathematically determined when the code is created to ensures an error free code. This buffer zone must be retained. It's simply a white space border and when you generate the code you will see that it's part of the actual code image.
The quiet zone is recommended to be a minimum of 4 times the width of a single data square in the code image, however depending on the surroundings of the code (ie; against an unpatterned dark background) you may be able to reduce that to 2 times pixel width. If you reduce the size of the quiet zone, the finished QR code should be tested thoroughly in its intended final setting to make sure that it still scans correctly.
Batch processing is part of the subscriber feature set for full subscribers. Upload a single TSV file containing the details of up to 500 individual QR codes and process them as a single batch. Once processing has been completed a download link for a single ZIP file containing the image files for each of the QR codes in your batch will be emailed to you.
QR code image size (up to 3000px), resolution (up to 300dpi), error correction level, output format (raster PNG, GIF, JPG or vector SVG, EPS, PDF) and colour can be specified for the QR codes in a batch. Batch processing directly supports URL, vCard, meCard, SMS message, email message, text string, phone number and email address data formats. Codes within a single batch can be a mixture of these formats.
A TSV tab-delimited file can be created from a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet by choosing "Text (Tab delimited)" from the Save As Type drop-down box. Google Docs also supports TSV export.
For more information read our batch processing support article or download our batch processing user guide.
The maximum online batch size limit of 500 codes per batch has been set to avoid undue server load across the sessions of other users. For paid subscribers with more than 20,000 codes to generate we offer a service whereby the job is run locally at our end - the cost of this service is US$5 / 1000 codes plus a US$200 processing fee. Just send us an Excel file containing your batch data and we'll look after the rest. Once processing has been completed, download links for the ZIP files containing the image files for each of the QR codes in your batch will be emailed to you. Payment is by PayPal prior to job commencement (we'll send you a PayPal invoice) and turnaround is 48-72 hours from when payment has been received. Send us an email for more information.
While the QR codes themselves conform to an ISO standard, not all app developers are as diligent with standards compliance as they should be. In our experience about 80% of issues relating to scan errors are because the scanning app being used is sub-standard or is challenged by QR codes containing anything more complex than a website URL.
A quick browse through the user reviews for QR code scanning apps in the iTunes App Store, Google Play Store or Blackberry App World will highlight which apps are worth having and which have known issues.
If the QR code scans correctly from the computer screen, but not when printed, the problem will be the way it has been reproduced for print:
If you see a message "Scan Quota Exceeded" when you scan your QR code it means that the QR code you created as a free user has exceeded its quota of 50 scans/month, or your full paid subscription has expired and a monthly scan limit of 50 scans/month has been applied to your QR code.
To have scan limit on a free QR code lifted, simply sign up for a paid full subscriber account (1 month or longer) and then email support@qrstuff.com and let us let us know which QR code is being scan limited. We will then transfer that QR code to your paid subscriber account which will remove the scan limit from it - current subscribers have unlimited monthly scans.
For expired full subscribers simply renew your subscription and the 50 scans/month limit will be automatically removed for the duration of your subscription term - if it isn't, please email support@qrstuff.com and let us know.
We guarantee that the QRStuff server will be free from non-scheduled outages and downtime for at least 99.9% of any given 12-month period. Since we started in January 2008 our uptime has been 99.968% including both scheduled maintenance and unscheduled server outages - that's less than 3 hours per year on average!
Unfortunately, we can't be responsible for outages or circumstances beyond our control that prevent or limit access to QRStuff server or website, either directly or indirectly, so our SLA does not include any of the following:
We strive to keep service interruptions to a minimum and will always attempt to provide advance notice of any scheduled maintenance outage in the Notices section at the bottom of the front page of this website. By taking up a paid subscription on the QRStuff website you are acknowledging your acceptance of a minimum uptime service availability of 99.9% in any given 12-month period.
We always maintain a policy of fair and acceptable usage that is intended to ensure that our services aren't used in a manner that:
This Fair Use Policy applies to all free and paid users of the QRStuff.com website and breaches of this Policy may result in limitations being placed on service modules otherwise described as "unlimited". Click here for the full text of our Fair Use Policy.
Your use of QRStuff.com as a free or paid user is subject to our Terms And Conditions Of Use.
We respect your privacy and are governed by the Isle Of Man Data Protection Act 2002. Your information is only used for generating QR codes at your request, facilitating the transfer of information via the QR code that you have created, and for the effective conduct and operation of your subscription.
If any of your personal information is required to be stored on our servers, it will not be rented, sold or intentionally released to unrelated third parties, however we cannot be held responsible for the release of your personal information that is the direct result of you making publicly available the QR code that you have created, and that links to or contains your personal information.
Aggregated non-identifiable trend data sourced from user QR code creation and usage data may be published from time to time for planning and information purposes. Click here for the full text of our Privacy Policy.
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