QR codes and upload from phone
Let customers add a scannable QR code to their design, and send photos from their phone straight into the designer on their computer by scanning a code.
Customers can add a print-ready QR code to their design from Elements → QR code, and they can move photos from their phone into the designer on their computer with Upload from phone. Both are built into the designer and available on all plans, including Free.
QR codes in the design
A QR code is a scannable square that opens a link, adds a contact, joins a Wi-Fi network and more. It is popular on business cards, signs, packaging, wedding items and menus.
How customers add one
- In the designer, open Elements and choose QR code — Create a scannable code for a link, contact, or Wi-Fi.
- Pick a Content type and fill in the fields.
- Under Appearance, set the Color, the Damage tolerance, and optionally Transparent background.
- Check the preview and press Add to design.
To change a code later, the customer selects it on the canvas and presses Edit QR in the toolbar, then Update QR code.
Content types
| Type | What the customer enters | What a scan does |
|---|---|---|
| Link | A website address (http or https). | Opens the page. |
| Text | Any text. | Shows the text. |
| An email address, plus an optional subject and message. | Starts an email. | |
| Phone | A phone number. | Offers to call the number. |
| SMS | A phone number and an optional message. | Starts a text message. |
| Wi-Fi | Network name (SSID), security, password, and whether the network is hidden. | Joins the network. |
| Contact | Name, and optionally company, job title, phone, email, website and address. | Saves a contact card. |
Damage tolerance
Damage tolerance decides how much of the code can be scratched, covered or printed lightly and still scan.
| Level | Survives about |
|---|---|
| Low | 7% damage |
| Medium | 15% damage |
| High | 25% damage |
| Highest | 30% damage |
Medium is the default and the right choice for most products. Higher levels make a denser code, so it must be printed larger.
Size and scanning
The panel tells the customer the smallest safe size — Print at least … wide so it scans reliably. The exact size depends on how much content is in the code. If a placed code is smaller than that, the QR panel warns them when they press Edit QR that it may not scan. This is advice only — it does not block the order.
Advice for your customers
Dark code on a light background scans best. Keep links short — less content gives a simpler code that scans from further away. Always test-scan a printed proof.
How QR codes print
The QR code is added to the design as a high-resolution PNG image (2048 × 2048 pixels, including a white or transparent margin). Because it is an image, your print method rules apply to it:
- QR codes are only offered when the print method allows Image upload.
- The DPI check applies. The image keeps 300 DPI up to about 17 cm (6.8 in) wide. Placed larger than that, a print method with a 300 DPI minimum shows the low-print-quality warning.
- In the print file it is part of the PNG or PDF like any other image.
The customer can still re-open and edit the code after placing it, because Customezo remembers what it contains.
Upload from phone
Many customers shop on a computer but keep their photos on their phone. Upload from phone pairs the two with a QR code, so they do not have to email photos to themselves.
How it works for the customer
- In the designer on their computer, they open Upload Art and press Upload from phone.
- A QR code appears with a countdown — Expires in ….
- They scan it with their phone camera. A simple upload page opens on the phone.
- They tap Choose photos or Take a photo.
- The photos appear in their uploads in the designer within a few seconds, ready to place.
Limits
| Limit | Value |
|---|---|
| How long a code works | 10 minutes |
| Photos per code | Up to 20 |
| Formats on the phone | JPG, PNG, WebP, GIF or SVG |
| File size | Same maximum as a normal upload, shown on the phone page |
When a code expires, photos already sent are kept. The customer presses New QR code to continue.
The Upload from phone button appears on computers only. On a phone, the normal upload already opens the photo library.
iPhone photos in HEIC format
HEIC photos are not supported, and the phone page says so. Tell iPhone customers to set Settings → Camera → Formats to Most Compatible, or to share the photo as JPEG.
Photos sent from a phone land in the same uploads list as any other upload, with the same file size limit and the same DPI warning once they are placed on the canvas.
Related
- The customer designer — every tool customers can use.
- Print methods — image upload, formats and DPI rules.
- Troubleshooting — expired codes and rejected uploads.
- FAQ