What is a QR Code PDF?

PDF icon PDF type of doc displaying on a mobile phone

A PDF QR code is a specialized QR code containing a link to a PDF file. When scanned with a smartphone or QR code reader, it redirects the user to download or view the associated PDF document instantly. This allows effortless access to PDFs, providing a convenient means to share important documents such as brochures, menus, product catalogs, or event schedules with customers or clients.

With a dynamic PDF QR code, you can merge multiple PDF files into a single QR code. Instead of creating separate QR codes for each PDF, you can link all your documents to the same QR code through a simple upload. When a user scans the QR code, they will be directed to a landing page showcasing your PDF documents. Customize your landing page to reflect your brand using our design feature. Additionally, if you need to update any of your PDF documents, you can easily edit this type of QR code without the hassle of reprinting.

PDF QR codes enable businesses to enhance customer engagement and deliver a seamless user experience. This not only adds value to your business but also enhances brand exposure and improves accessibility to your products or services. It's a seamless and efficient way to share information with your audience.

Keep QR Code campaigns responsive and relevant.

Broken links, outdated information, mistakes, and typos destroy customer confidence. Dynamic QR Codes let you edit and update content as and when you need to.

How to create a QR code for a PDF document

Ready to generate your own PDF QR Code? Move from concept to creation fast. Follow these three simple steps:

2

Add your Details

Add your details by entering the link to your online PDF document in the available URL field. Alternatively, if you are creating a dynamic PDF QR code, upload the PDF documents using the upload tool provided.

Step 2
3

Customize your Design

Customize the design of your QR code with your preferred color scheme, logo, and a distinctive frame to enhance its visibility.

With a dynamic PDF QR code, you can also customize the appearance of the landing page where your PDF documents will be hosted.

Step 3

Our Dynamic QR Codes can be produced in any color, but make sure they match your branding. You should also carry out checks to ensure your code can be scanned against the physical background it’s placed.

Try it out, and build your QR code!






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Why should you use a PDF QR Code? 6 benefits.

Their universal compatibility, accessibility, and flexibility make PDFs popular with businesses as customers can access information held from any device.

With a PDF QR Code, you can boost communication with your customers and bring your business closer to them. In turn, this helps to boost your reputation, simplifies the customer journey, and encourages customer loyalty.

Converting an uploaded PDF file into a QR Code boosts its potential in the following ways:

Increase Visibility

Buried on websites or piled up on shelves, PDF documents are often hard to find. A PDF to QR Code, on the other hand, can be displayed on a wide range of customer-facing, digital and physical materials.

This increases visibility and potentially unlimited options for the promotion of your brand.

Gather Insights

Gather Insights

With Dynamic QR Codes, you can track real-time data relating to your code, such as the type of device used to scan it to the time of day it was scanned.

Our Analytics Suite allows access to all of this data and more, so you can shape future campaigns around the successes and failures of your current links.

Support Sustainability

Support Sustainability

Many businesses use hard-copy PDF documents to provide customers with instructions about their purchases. A PDF QR Code provides a greener alternative and linking to information online means documents don’t need to be printed off.

A PDF on product packaging can also convey vast information in a smaller space, leading to less print requirements.

Maximize Use

Maximize Use

Packed with content, PDF files take time and resources to create. To get a strong ROI, you need to boost exposure (see above) and make it easy for people to open them.

Accessed on the go and in one quick scan, PDF QR Codes have a higher read rate because the process is simple and seamless.

Keep branding prominent

Keep branding prominent

PDF QR Codes are minimal in size and non-invasive to marketing materials. Providing detailed information in a small amount of space wherever they’re displayed, product design isn’t compromised and your branding remains clear and in focus. As a result, brand recognition can be improved and customer loyalty can be encouraged.

Customizable QR Codes

Customizable QR Codes

Combining the physical and digital worlds, PDF QR Codes can be printed on all kinds of printed marketing materials.

From posters, business cards and flyers, you can cross-promote your PDF documents into the physical realm and receive more views in the process.

Easily create Dynamic QR codes for your business

Get instant access to our custom branding, editing and evaluation features today!

PDF QR codes at work

So, what does a QR Code for a PDF look like in practice? From personal use to professional, PDF QR codes can be adapted to work in many different ways. Here are just a few examples of ways to generate QR codes that optimize the power of PDF files.

Featured placements for a PDF QR code

Let's explore where you could promote your generated PDF QR code:

Stacked inventory in factory

Inventory Management

Capturing real-time data, QR codes can control and track stock levels. They can also help you sort, filter and consolidate one inventory across different locations, which allows you to deliver detailed supply chain information to your customers.

Read more
Clothing packaged with mobile phone being held

Product Packaging

Packaging is integral to your brand, but to be effective, it needs to be simple and clear. By using a packaging QR Code, potential buyers can access more information about you, your brand, and your products without impacting design.

Read more
Menu on table and phone

Menus

Digital menus have transformed the food and catering industry by providing convenient access and effortless updates.

They simplify service for both staff and customers, enhancing efficiency across the board.

Read more

PDF QR codes at work

Here are just a few examples of ways to generate QR codes that optimize the power of PDF files.

QR Code for user manuals

User Manuals

To give customers all the info they need to get the most out of your product or service, create user manuals in a PDF format, and have them accessible via QR Code.

Product information

Product Info

From manufacturing details to provenance, provide extra information to add value and meaning to your product. This is particularly helpful for the modern-day consumer, who wants to know as much as possible about a brand before they commit to buying.

QR Code for presentations

Presentations

Giving a presentation or lecture? Provide attendees with a PDF QR Code printed on a flyer, business card, or poster so they can revisit the content of the presentation. You can also include social links within this PDF to broaden your reach and engagement.

QR Code for catalogs

Catalogs

Share detailed, long-form content in an easy-to-access format using a QR Code for PDF documents. This instills trust in your brand and leads to more repeat customers.

Get more from your PDF QR Code with our QR Code Generator

Mindmaps and collaboration

Plan your strategy before creating your PDF QR Code

A few small enhancements from a PDF QR Code Generator can make a big difference to the impact of a PDF QR Code. Let’s take a look at our best practice guide to maximize the functionality of your PDF QR Code.

PDF QR codes can be displayed on a wide variety of products and promotional material, but randomly displaying them and hoping for the best isn’t an efficient or sustainable approach.

For maximum impact, your PDF QR Codes need to appear where your target audience will expect to see them and want to use them. Spending a bit of time before you generate your QR Code to plan your strategy will help you design a campaign that’s meaningful and productive.

The first step of your strategy should be to identify your target audience and what you want to achieve through your PDF QR Code. With both of these in mind, you should then choose marketing materials and information that will resonate with your audience.

If you still aren’t sure what to include in your QR Code product portfolio, test different QR Code types and formats and evaluate the data to see which ones are most successful. Dynamic PDF QR codes can be tracked and measured so you can see which ones are getting more scans, adjusting your campaign accordingly to reflect the data.

Our Business QR code guide is the place to go if you want to create a Dynamic QR Code, so sign up today to get started.

Asian professional demo's PDF QR's online

Grab some attention with a colorful QR Code

How your PDF QR Code looks has a big impact on how many scans it receives. Our PDF QR Code Generator has the tools you need to change the look of your PDF QR Code so it stands out and reinforces your brand.

Adjust the color

Barcodes are traditionally black and white, but our QR codes can be any color you like. Created using our PDF QR Code Generator, PDF files can be customized with different colors that sync with your brand. Just remember to provide enough contrast for the machine reader to decode the information and for your code to be scannable.

Add a frame to your QR Code

Your PDF QR Code won’t be the only content your users will see on your marketing material, but you can help it to stand out by adding a frame using our QR Code Generator.

To support a coherent and consistent user experience, coordinate the color with the code and the rest of your product packaging or surface it’s placed upon.

Use your logo on your QR Code

Make sure everyone scanning your PDF QR Code knows who created the content. Adding your logo links your brand with the information you’ve taken time to produce, which boosts your value proposition and maximizes the return on your investment.


Whether it’s product information, user tips, instructions, recipes or digital catalogs, you know why people should open your PDF. However, a collection of small squares won’t convey this to your audience.

Designed to communicate a clear message to machine readers, the design of a QR Code doesn’t deliver the same clarity to the end user, but adding a clear call to action (CTA) encourages people to scan the QR Code.

One or two well-chosen words placed alongside your QR Code are enough to turn an abstract graphic into a meaningful opportunity for your user.

Before you go to print with your PDF QR Code, make sure it looks and functions as it should by using a QR Code scanner or QR Code reader.

A weak color contrast, overhanging logo, or lack of space around a QR Code, can all impact functionality, so ask yourself the following questions:

  • Is it readable? Scan your code with different mobile devices to ensure it can be read by them all.
  • Is it functioning correctly? This means double checking the correct PDF is linked to with your code.
  • Is everything correct? Make sure there are no mistakes or typos that render your link useless.

Missed a typo? No problem, unlike static QR Codes, Dynamic Codes can be updated at any time, even after they’ve been finalized and printed onto your materials. To generate a Dynamic QR Code for a PDF, or to create codes for lots of different purposes, sign up for a free account.

The size of Custom QR Codes can be changed using our QR Code generator. The minimum recommended printing size for a QR Code is 2 x 2 cm (about 0.8 x 0.8 in), but there’s no maximum recommended size.

However, while this is the case, best practice is to keep the ratio of the QR Code in proportion with the overall size of the product it’s appearing on.

Linking your QR Code directly to your PDF has lots of benefits, but if you want to broaden its appeal, you can use a dedicated landing page. As well as linking to your PDF, a landing page can provide additional information such as a document description, an introduction or background to your company, and links to your social channels to name a few.

This can help you focus in on your target audience on a per-code basis, leading to highly relevant campaigns that yield better results. You can also personalize the content on your landing page so it speaks to your customers on a personal level.

To generate a QR Code for specific landing pages, our popular guide shows you how to create a QR Code for link.

PDF QR Code FAQs

Using our QR Code Generator, PDF files can easily be converted into a QR Code. Just create a free account, share the link to your PDF, and you’re good to go.

Yes, the best way to link to multiple PDFs from the same QR Code is to create a landing page with all of your PDFs embedded on it. You can then link to the landing page instead of a PDF URL.

The other option is to create a Dynamic QR Code, also known as an editable QR Code, that can hold multiple links, which you can achieve with our PDF QR Code Generator. Dynamic QR Codes have benefits in abundance for businesses, but to create one, you’ll need an upgraded account to do so.

Dynamic QR Codes can be updated after they've been created. They can also be tracked and used to gather metrics about each scan. This means that if you want to change your uploaded PDF file, you can with a Dynamic QR Code.

Data provided by a Dynamic QR Code also enables you to tailor further campaigns around the successes and failures of your current PDF link. This helps you target customers more effectively and boost engagement with your brand.

Dynamic QR Codes, also known as editable QR Codes, are generally more versatile when it comes to creating a PDF. Unlike Static QR Codes, Dynamic QR Codes can be edited as many times as you like, even after they’ve been downloaded and printed. This makes them a popular restaurant menu tool, as you can add dishes to your PDF menu without needing a new QR Code.