How it works
A QR code holds a few hundred characters at most, so it can't contain the PDF itself. Instead it holds a link to wherever the PDF is stored online.
- Upload the PDF to your website, Google Drive or Dropbox.
- Set sharing so anyone with the link can view it (in Google Drive: Share, then General access: Anyone with the link).
- Copy the link, paste it above and download the code.
Updating the PDF later
Replacing a file often creates a new link, which would break a printed code. If the destination might change, make it a dynamic code instead: it points at a short qrnever.com link you can re-aim later without reprinting. Dynamic codes are a one-time $9.99, with no subscription and no expiry.
Printing tips
A few choices decide whether a code scans on the first try:
- Print at least 2 cm (0.8 in) wide for close range, larger for posters (about one tenth of the scanning distance).
- Keep dark modules on a light background and leave the white margin around the code.
- Test the printed proof with both an iPhone and an Android camera before printing in bulk.