Print a reason to scan beside the code, keep the destination useful, and test a real-size proof before ordering a full print run.
A QR code connects a physical encounter to an online next step. At a market, that might mean browsing items you could not bring. On packaging, it might mean care instructions or a reorder link. A link-in-bio page is useful when the person scanning needs a small set of choices and you want to update those choices after the material is printed.
Start with the moment someone will scan
Think about where the code will sit and what the person needs at that moment. A visitor at your stall may want to follow your next collection. A customer opening a parcel may need instructions. A conference contact may want your portfolio and inquiry link.
When one specific task is the only purpose, linking directly to that destination may be simpler. Use a bio page when a short set of related options adds value. Do not make someone navigate a general list if you promised immediate access to one document.
Useful captions for a QR code
- Scan for care instructions and more colours.
- See my work and ask about a project.
- Browse the full collection and upcoming markets.
Arrange the page for that audience
Put the relevant action near the top and use the same language as the printed caption. If the code says ‘Care instructions,’ that link should be immediately recognizable. Supporting links can include your shop, contact details, or an optional newsletter.
Check the experience on a mobile connection. Large images, private documents, or a required login can frustrate someone scanning in a busy venue. Keep any essential instructions available in a form that is easy to read on a phone.
Download and preserve the code’s destination
Links2 offers a QR download for your profile. Its redirect uses the profile’s stable identifier, so changing the handle does not require a new code for that same profile. The page still needs to remain published and available: deleting the account or unpublishing the page can make a printed code unusable.
You can update the links on the page as your needs change. Before printing, open the downloaded code on a separate device and confirm that it reaches your published page. Keep the original downloaded file with your print artwork so you can identify what was used.
Test the physical proof, not just the screen
Keep a clear margin around the code and strong contrast between its dark and light areas. Avoid stretching it or placing it over a photograph. The right printed size depends on scan distance, the encoded data, the material, and the camera; there is no single size that fits every use.
Print a proof at the final size and test it with more than one phone if possible. Try the distance and lighting people will encounter, including glare on glossy packaging or a curved surface. Ask someone unfamiliar with the page to scan it and explain what they expect to happen.
- The caption states a useful reason to scan.
- The code scans from the expected distance.
- The destination opens without your login.
- The main action matches the printed promise.
- A readable page address provides an alternative to scanning.
Keep the page useful after the event
A card or package can stay with someone long after an event ends. Replace expired event details with a useful next step while preserving the intent of the printed caption. If you promised care instructions, keep them accessible even when your latest collection changes.
Review page activity around an event as context, but do not assume all new views came from that print run. Links2’s page totals alone do not separate each poster, package, or social profile that points to the page.