How ez-QR Works

What's a QR code?

A QR Code (it stands for "Quick Response") is a mobile phone readable barcode that's been big in Japan forever, broke into Europe a while back, and is now getting traction in USA.

In its simplest sense think "print based hypertext link" - simply encode a URL into the QR Code and then point a mobile phone (or other camera-enabled mobile) at it. If the device has had QR Code decoding software installed on it, it will fire up its browser and go straight to that URL.

But it doesn't stop there - a QR Code can also contain a phone number, an SMS message, V-Card data or just plain alphanumeric text, and the scanning device will respond by opening up the correct application to handle the encoded data appropriately courtesy of the FNC1 Application Identifiers that are embedded in the encoded data.

The technical specifications for a QR Code are set down in the ISO-18004 standard so they are the same all over the world, and the only significant variations from one QR code to another (apart from the data it contains) is the number of modules required to store the data. A Version 1 QR Code is a 21x21 array of data elements with the array increasing in size by 4 modules for each increase in version number. The largest standard QR Code is a Version 40 symbol that 177x177 modules in size and can hold up 4296 characters of alphanumeric data (theoretically) compared to 25 characters for a Version 1 QR Code.

While there is still a lot of scope for improvement, the resolution of average present-day camera-enabled portable devices is such that the size of the data modules (dots) on a QR Code of Version 5 or above (37x37) presents a real risk of incorrect decoding of the symbol by the device. When creating a QR Code intended for use with mobile phones and PDA's it's best to stick to Version 4 or lower, and a QR Code symbol of at least 2cm (0.85inches) across.

To make things a bit more robust, the QR Code also contains its own error correction data, internal orientation calibration and self-alignment markers. In this way it doesn't matter whether the QR code is upside down or wrapped around a curved surface, the message will still get through.

More Information

For more information about QR Codes, try these sites:

Denso-Wave - They invented the things in the first place!!
QRMe - Home base for everything you need to know about QR Codes
Wikipedia - QR Codes
QR-Code - Jordi and the boys blogging about QR Codes

New Account

Feature	Free User	Subscriber
Unlimited QR Codes	Yes	Yes
Unlimited Scans	Yes	Yes
Unlimited QR Code Life	Yes	Yes
100% Ad-Free*	Yes	Yes
URL Shortening*	Yes (Optional)	Yes (Optional)
*Many QR code generators will force you to use their shortened URL's so they can bounce you through an intermediate page full of ads. We don't! You can put your own website address into QR codes you make with us, and even if you do use our short URL's, there's no intermediate page so they're completely transparent to your website visitor. Don't let someone else's brand get in the way of your own.
Extended Character Support	Yes - full UTF-8 encoding	Yes - full UTF-8 encoding
Open An Affiliate Account	Yes	Yes
Input Data Types	22 Data Types	22 Data Types
Output Types	PNG or raster PDF	PNG or raster PDF
Color QR Codes	Yes	Yes
Hi-Res QR Code Images	No	Yes - up to 3000px @ 300dpi
Dynamic QR Codes	No	Yes, when using our short URL's
Editable vCard QR Codes	No	Yes, when using our short URL's
Customizable vCard landing page	No	Yes
Analytics	No	Yes - Date, time, location and device type when using our URL shortener. Excel data download too.
Batch Processing	No	Yes - up to 500 codes per batch
Account History	No	Access, re-generate and modify previously created QR codes
Password Protected QR Codes	No	Yes - keep your QR codes private
Downloadable QR Code Report	No	Yes
Technical Support	Limited	Full
Subscription Costs The advanced feature set of the website is available to all subscribers using a time-based subscription model unlimited QR-Codes: 1 month - US$11.95 3 months - US$27.95 (save 20% compared with 1 month subscription) 6 months - US$49.95 (save 30% compared with 1 month subscription) 12 months - US$85.95 (save 40% compared with 1 month subscription)

What's all this about?

Print QR Codes

Generate printable QR mobile phone-readable 2D barcodes containing a website URL, an email address, a phone number, a pre-formatted SMS message or just plain text to use as a:

Paper Prints
DIY Stickers
Temporary tattoos
Iron-on T-shirt transfers

Design A Custom QR Code T-Shirt

Generate your own QR Code and then you and your code are sent to the Zazzle print-on-demand website to complete the selection of your shirt style, size and color for immediate purchase, printing and delivery direct to your door.

Create Hi-Res QR Code Artwork

Make as many high resolution artwork quality QR Codes as you want for one low monthly subscription fee.

Once you have opened an account you will be able to generate QR Codes at sizes up to 3000 pixels across and at your choice of 72dpi, 150dpi or 300dpi.

Image files are generated in either PNG or PDF format and can downloaded immediately, or emailed to an email address.

Just the thing for graphic designers and others who need high quality QR Code artwork files for print design work.

Also includes history reporting, re-editable destination URL's, optional short URL or native URL and the ability to attach a phone number to the QR code.

Sign up to generate as many codes as you want for just $11.95 per month (lower rates for longer periods).