QR Codes in Marq - Create and Manage Dynamic QR Codes

What You'll Learn

In this article, you'll discover how to:

• ✅ Generate QR codes in your Marq designs
• ✅ Customize QR codes with branded styles
• ✅ Update QR code destination links after creation
• ✅ Manage and reuse QR codes across multiple projects
• ✅ Control QR code styles as an admin

---

What are QR Codes in Marq?

QR (Quick Response) codes are scannable barcodes that direct users to websites, landing pages, or digital content. Marq's QR code feature offers several advantages:

Dynamic Links - Update the destination URL anytime, even after printing or sharing
Brand Consistency - Apply your brand colors and styles to QR codes
Centralized Management - Create once, reuse across multiple projects
Admin Controls - Limit users to pre-approved branded QR styles

Perfect for:

• Event materials with registration links
• Product packaging linking to information pages
• Marketing collateral with campaign-specific URLs
• Print materials that need flexible, updatable links

---

How to Create a QR Code

Generating Your First QR Code

1. Open a project or template in the Marq editor
2. Look at the left-hand toolbar
3. Navigate about halfway down to find the QR Codes option
4. Click QR Codes
5. You'll be prompted to enter:
   • QR Code Name - Internal name for identifying this QR code (e.g., "Product Launch Event")
   • Destination URL - The web address where the QR code will redirect (e.g., https://marq.com)
6. Choose a QR code style (if multiple options are available)
7. Click Add to Design

Your QR code will appear in your design and is ready to use immediately.

QR Code Style Options

Depending on your account settings, you may see:

Branded QR Styles - Custom QR codes that match your brand colors and design
Standard QR Style - Traditional black-and-white QR codes
Admin-Restricted Styles - Pre-approved styles set by your admin

📋 Note for Admins: You can limit users to only selecting pre-designed, branded QR code styles based on your brand settings. This ensures brand consistency across all QR codes created by your team.

---

Managing Your QR Codes

Viewing Your QR Code Library

All QR codes you create are saved to My QR Codes for easy reuse:

1. In the editor, click QR Codes in the left toolbar
2. View your list of created QR codes under My QR Codes
3. Each QR code shows its name and current destination

You can drag and drop any saved QR code into new projects without recreating them.

Updating QR Code Destination Links

One of the most powerful features of Marq QR codes is the ability to update where they redirect—even after you've printed or shared materials containing them.

To update a QR code destination:

1. Select the QR code in your project
2. Click the Update Link option (appears in the right panel or toolbar)
3. Enter the new destination URL
4. Click Update or Save

⚠️ Important: Changing a QR code's URL affects all placements of this QR code across all projects. If you've used the same QR code in multiple designs, they will all redirect to the new destination.

Example use case: You printed 1,000 flyers with a QR code linking to your spring campaign. When summer arrives, you can update that same QR code to redirect to your summer campaign—no reprinting needed. Anyone scanning the QR code from the spring flyers will now reach the summer content.

---

Using QR Codes Across Projects

Reusing Existing QR Codes

You don't need to create a new QR code for every project. Reuse your saved QR codes:

1. Open any project in the editor
2. Click QR Codes in the left toolbar
3. Under My QR Codes, find the QR code you want to use
4. Drag and drop the QR code into your design

This QR code will have the same destination and settings as the original.

Replacing QR Codes

If you want to swap one QR code for another in an existing design:

1. Drag a different QR code from My QR Codes
2. Drop it onto the existing QR code in your design
3. The old QR code will be replaced with the new one

This is useful when updating materials with new campaign links or rotating seasonal content.

---

Admin: Setting Up QR Code Brand Styles

As an admin, you can create branded QR code styles that match your company's visual identity and restrict users to only using approved styles.

Creating Branded QR Code Styles

1. Navigate to Admin Settings
2. Go to Brand Assets or Design Settings (location may vary)
3. Find QR Code Styles or QR Code Settings
4. Create a new QR code style with your:
   • Brand colors
   • Logo or icon (if supported)
   • Corner shapes and patterns
5. Save the style

Restricting Users to Branded Styles Only

To ensure brand consistency, you can limit users to pre-approved QR code designs:

1. In Admin Settings → QR Code Settings
2. Enable "Restrict users to branded QR code styles" (or similar option)
3. Users will only see your pre-designed, brand-compliant QR codes
4. They cannot create custom or non-branded QR codes

This prevents off-brand QR codes while still allowing users to create and manage destination links.

---

Best Practices for QR Codes

Choosing Destination URLs

✅ Use trackable links - Use campaign UTM parameters or link shorteners to track scans
✅ Mobile-optimize destinations - Ensure the destination page works well on mobile devices
✅ Use HTTPS - Secure URLs (https://) are more trustworthy and professional
✅ Test before printing - Always scan your QR code to verify it works correctly

Naming Your QR Codes

Use clear, descriptive names that indicate:

• Campaign or purpose: "Spring 2026 Product Launch"
• Location or medium: "Trade Show Booth Banner"
• Content type: "Product Registration Form"

Good naming helps you quickly find and reuse QR codes later.

Updating QR Code Links

Plan ahead for link updates:

• Create QR codes with long-term use in mind
• Document which materials use which QR codes
• Update links strategically before campaigns launch
• Consider using a link management tool for complex campaigns

Remember: Updating a QR code affects ALL uses of that code. Make sure you want to change every instance before updating.

Design Considerations

• Size matters - Ensure QR codes are large enough to scan easily (minimum 1 inch x 1 inch for print)
• High contrast - QR codes need strong contrast between colors to scan properly
• Clear space - Leave white space around QR codes (don't crowd them with other elements)
• Test different distances - Verify your QR code scans from various distances and angles

---

Troubleshooting QR Codes

QR Code Won't Scan

Possible causes:

• QR code is too small
• Insufficient contrast between QR code and background
• QR code is distorted or stretched
• Print quality is too low

Solutions:

• Increase QR code size (minimum 1" x 1" for print)
• Use high-contrast colors (dark QR code on light background)
• Keep QR code proportions intact (don't stretch or skew)
• Use high-resolution printing (300+ DPI)

QR Code Goes to Wrong Destination

Possible causes:

• QR code destination was updated recently
• Wrong QR code was used in the design

Solutions:

• Check the QR code name and current destination in My QR Codes
• Verify you're using the correct QR code for this project
• Update the destination link if needed

Can't Find My QR Code Style

Possible causes:

• Admin has restricted QR code styles
• QR code settings haven't been configured yet

Solutions:

• If you're a user, contact your admin about available QR code styles
• If you're an admin, configure branded QR code styles in Admin Settings

---

Use Cases and Examples

Event Marketing

Scenario: You're hosting a series of monthly networking events and want to include QR codes on printed flyers.

Solution: Create one QR code named "Monthly Event Registration." Update the destination URL each month to point to the new event's registration page. Your flyers can be printed in bulk, and you simply update the link as each event approaches.

Product Packaging

Scenario: Product packaging includes a QR code for "Product Information" that needs to stay current as you update your website.

Solution: Create a QR code that points to your product page. When you redesign your website or move the product page, update the QR code destination—no need to reprint packaging.

Seasonal Campaigns

Scenario: You have promotional materials that rotate between seasonal campaigns.

Solution: Create multiple QR codes for each season ("Spring Sale", "Summer Event", "Fall Promo"). Replace QR codes in your templates as seasons change, or update a single QR code's destination to point to the current campaign.

Trade Show Materials

Scenario: You're attending multiple trade shows and want attendees to access show-specific resources.

Solution: Print materials with a QR code labeled "Event Resources." Before each show, update the destination to point to that specific event's landing page, downloadable content, or registration form.

---

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How many QR codes can I create?
A: There is no set limit on the number of QR codes you can create in Marq. Create as many as you need for different campaigns, products, or purposes.

Q: Can I track how many people scan my QR codes?
A: Marq does not provide built-in QR code scanning analytics. To track scans, use a link tracking service (like Bitly, Google Analytics UTM parameters, or your marketing automation platform) as your QR code destination.

Q: What happens to materials with the old QR code link after I update it?
A: All instances of that QR code—whether in new projects or already-printed materials—will redirect to the new destination. This is the power of dynamic QR codes.

Q: Can I delete a QR code?
A: Yes, you can delete QR codes from My QR Codes. However, be cautious—if you've used that QR code in projects or printed materials, deleting it may cause the QR code to stop working.

Q: Do QR codes expire?
A: Marq QR codes do not expire as long as your account remains active and the destination URL is valid.

Q: Can I use QR codes that redirect to different links in the same project?
A: Yes. Create multiple QR codes with different destinations and add them to the same design. Each QR code will redirect to its own unique destination.

Q: What's the maximum URL length for QR code destinations?
A: QR codes can handle very long URLs (thousands of characters), but shorter URLs are better. They create simpler QR codes that scan more reliably. Consider using a URL shortener for very long links.

---

Next Steps

Ready to explore more Marq features? Check out these related articles:

→ Creating your design
→ How to create and edit templates
→ Exporting and sharing

---

Questions or feedback? Contact your Customer Success Manager or reach out to Marq Support.