You are sending it to a designer
Send SVG. It stays sharp when the design changes size, and the designer can place it precisely in the final layout.
The QR code itself may be simple, but the file you hand to a designer or printer matters. Choose the format that keeps every module sharp at its final size.
Use SVG when a designer needs to place the QR code in artwork or scale it to different sizes. Use PNG for screens, email, slides, and quick documents. Use PDF when you need a simple print-ready handoff and do not expect the recipient to edit the code.
If you are unsure, send an SVG to the designer and keep a PNG for quick review. Never rely on a screenshot of a QR code: screenshots can blur the pattern, crop the quiet zone, or be resized badly in the next step.
| Format | Best for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| SVG | Professional design work, signs, packaging, and any artwork that may be resized | Keep it as vector artwork. Do not rasterise it unnecessarily before print. |
| PNG | Web pages, email, presentations, social posts, and quick office documents | It has fixed pixels. Use enough resolution for the final displayed or printed size. |
| A simple print handoff or a finished page that should not be edited | Confirm that the QR code is still sharp and has not been converted into a low-resolution image. |
Send SVG. It stays sharp when the design changes size, and the designer can place it precisely in the final layout.
Use PNG at a sensible pixel size. It is widely supported and easy to place without specialist software.
Use a print-ready PDF, but scan the PDF itself before sending it. A PDF is a container, not an automatic guarantee of quality.
Keep an SVG as the master asset. Create PNGs only for specific screen or document uses.
The file format is only part of the job. These production rules matter just as much.
File format controls how the image travels through design and print. Static versus dynamic controls what happens after the scan. They are separate decisions: an SVG can contain either kind of QR code, and a beautiful file will not help if the destination needs changing after the material is printed.