Put it next to the product
Anchor each code beside the item it belongs to so readers never wonder what they'll get.
Where to use
A catalog you can shop from the page
Drop a QR code beside any product and readers jump straight to buy it, watch it in action, or see the colours and sizes that won't fit on paper.
- Shop the page
- In-hand sizes
- Always current
Design tips
Place codes where the eye lands
Label every code
"Scan to buy" or "Watch the demo" sets expectations and lifts scans over a bare code.
Mind the gutter and fold
Keep codes clear of the spine, fold and page edge so nothing warps or clips the pattern.
Catalog QR size guide
Catalogs are read in the hand, roughly 30 cm from the eye. The rule of thumb: minimum size ≈ scan distance ÷ 10.
| Context | Minimum size | Scan distance |
|---|---|---|
| Inline code next to a product | 2 × 2 cm | up to ~30 cm |
| Full-page feature | 3 × 3 cm | up to ~40 cm |
| Cover or spread | 4 × 4 cm | up to ~50 cm |
| Small footnote or spec code | 1.5 × 1.5 cm | up to ~20 cm |
Note: Print a proof page on the final paper stock and scan it — coated and uncoated stocks reflect differently under indoor light.
Who it's for
Make print click through
Shop the page
Turn any product into a buy link so a browse becomes an order.
Video demos
Show a product moving, folding or fitting — things a photo can't.
More colours & sizes
Link to the full range that won't fit in a printed grid.
Quick reorder
Let regulars reorder a staple straight from the page.
Full spec sheets
Send readers to detailed specs and downloads for technical products.
See what sells
Track which pages and products get scanned most across a print run.
Catalog QR code FAQ
How small can a QR code be in a catalog?
Because a catalog is read in-hand, about 2 × 2 cm works next to a product, and 1.5 × 1.5 cm for a small footnote code. Go bigger — 3–4 cm — for full-page features and covers.
Where should I put the code on the page?
Right beside the product or offer it relates to, clear of the spine, fold and trim edge. Add a short label like "Scan to buy" so readers know what happens.
Can I use lots of codes on one page?
Yes. Keep each one clearly tied to its item, leave a quiet-zone margin around every code, and don't let them touch. One per product reads best.
Can I update where a code points after printing?
Yes, with dynamic codes. When a product sells out or a page moves, repoint the code so the printed catalog never sends readers to a dead link.
Which page gets the most scans?
You can see that. Each dynamic code tracks scans, so after a mailing you'll know which pages and products pulled readers online.
What makes this placement work
- Keep each code close to the relevant product and use one code per product or category when measurement matters.
- Preserve the quiet zone around the code.
- Avoid decorative changes that reduce foreground/background contrast.
- Scan a production proof with more than one phone before approving the full run.
- Match the destination to the placement. Common choices include Product, Website.
Make every page shoppable
Create a catalog QR code — small enough for the page, trackable across the whole run.