Generate QR codes from project smart fields

QR codes in Marq can pull their destination from a project smart field instead of a fixed URL. This lets one template produce a different QR code for every project, with the link supplied by the person using the project or passed in automatically through your data.

This article covers how to set up a project QR code, how end users fill in the link, and how project QR codes differ from account-level QR codes.

Before you start

You'll need permission to create project smart fields and edit templates.
A project smart field must use the Link data type to connect to the QR code generator. Other data types won't appear as options.

Step 1: Create a Link smart field

Go to create a project smart field.
Choose Link as the data type.
Give the field a name. Any name works — the data type is what matters for the QR connection.
Save the smart field.

Tip: Name the field for what the link points to, like "Registration link" or "Listing URL." This is the label end users will see when they're asked to fill it in.

Step 2: Connect the QR code to the smart field

Open the QR code generator.
Select Connect to smart fields.
Choose your Link smart field from the list. Only Link-type project smart fields appear here.
- If you don't have one yet, you'll be prompted to create one, and the data type will default to Link.
Name your QR code.
Set the style and pattern for the QR code. This is set once, at the template level, so end users don't have to make styling decisions.
Add the QR code to your design.

You won't enter a URL in this step. The destination is managed in the project data panel instead.

Step 3: Add the link (end user)

When someone opens a project containing a project QR code that hasn't been filled in yet, Marq prompts them for the link.

Select Add QR code link on the prompt, or open the project data panel from the bottom of the editor.
Enter the destination URL in the Link smart field.
Select Apply. The QR code image generates.

If the link is changed later, the QR code updates automatically to point to the new destination.

In the left panel, QR codes connected to project smart fields are marked so you can tell them apart from your other QR codes.

Filling in links automatically

Because the destination is stored as project data, it can be supplied the same way any other project data is — through your automations and integrations, rather than typed in by hand.

This makes QR codes practical for personalized collateral at volume, such as:

A different landing page for each franchise location
A different listing URL for each property
A different registration link for each event or session

Project QR codes vs. account-level QR codes

	Project QR code	Account-level QR code
Where the link lives	Project data panel (Link smart field)	On the QR code itself
Appears in other projects	No	Yes
Destination can change after distribution	No — the image regenerates	Yes — the image stays the same
Scan tracking	Not available	Available
Best for	Personalized or automated collateral, where each project needs its own destination	Reusable codes, and codes whose destination may need to change after printing

Converting a project QR code

You can convert a project QR code into a standard account-level QR code at any time. Once converted, it becomes dynamic and reusable across projects, and its destination is no longer managed in the project data panel.

The Link smart field itself remains in the project if it's referenced elsewhere.

Things to know

The QR image regenerates when the link changes. Project QR codes are not dynamic. If you change the destination after collateral has been printed or distributed, the codes already out in the world will still point to the old destination. You'll need to republish or redistribute that collateral.

If you need a QR code whose destination can be updated after it's been printed, use an account-level QR code instead.

Scan tracking isn't available on project QR codes. Tracking remains available on account-level QR codes.

Project QR codes stay in their project. A QR code created from a project smart field appears only in that project. Your account-level QR codes continue to appear across all of your projects.

Troubleshooting

My smart field isn't showing up in the QR code generator. Check the field's data type. Only project smart fields using the Link data type can be connected to a QR code.

The QR code isn't generating. Confirm the link has been entered in the project data panel and that you've selected Apply. Until a destination is supplied, the QR code stays unpopulated and the project displays a prompt to add it.

I need this QR code in another project. Project QR codes are scoped to a single project. Convert it to a standard account-level QR code to reuse it elsewhere.

I need to track scans. Use an account-level QR code, or convert your project QR code to one.