QR Code Generator Block
What it does: Generate QR codes dynamically from any text or URL data, perfect for creating scannable links, coupons, contact information, and more.
In simple terms: The QR Code block turns any text or link into a scannable QR code image. Users can scan it with their phone cameras to instantly access the information.
When to Use This
Use QR Code when you need:
- ✅ Shareable links that are easy to scan
- ✅ Dynamic coupons or discount codes
- ✅ Event tickets with unique identifiers
- ✅ Contact information (vCards)
- ✅ Mobile-friendly content sharing
- ✅ Print-ready marketing materials
Example: Generate unique QR codes for each customer's order confirmation that they can scan at pickup, or create personalized discount codes for marketing campaigns.
Key Features
- Universal Data Support: Encode URLs, text, contact info, WiFi credentials, and more
- Instant Generation: QR codes created in real-time
- Image Output: Returns a hosted image URL you can display or send
- High Quality: Clear, scannable codes
- No External Dependencies: Built-in, no third-party services needed
Setup Guide
Configuration
Simple Two-Step Setup:
-
Data: The content to encode in the QR code
- Can be any text, URL, or data
- Use variables:
{{order_url}} - Combine data:
https://yoursite.com/order/{{order_id}} - Support for special formats (see below)
-
Save QR Code Image URL: Where to store the generated image
- Select a variable to receive the QR code image URL
- Required field
- Image hosted and accessible via this URL
Common Use Cases
Order Confirmation QR Codes
Generate scannable codes for order pickup:
Configuration:
Data: https://yourstore.com/orders/{{order_id}}
Save URL: {{qr_code_url}}Usage:
- Customer places order
- Generate QR code with order link
- Send QR code in confirmation email
- Customer scans at pickup for instant verification
Event Tickets
Create unique QR codes for each ticket:
Configuration:
Data: EVENT:{{event_id}}|TICKET:{{ticket_number}}|USER:{{customer_email}}
Save URL: {{ticket_qr}}Usage:
- User buys ticket
- Generate unique QR code
- Email ticket with QR code
- Scan at event entrance for validation
Discount Coupons
Dynamic coupon codes:
Configuration:
Data: COUPON:{{coupon_code}}|DISCOUNT:{{discount_amount}}|EXPIRES:{{expiry_date}}
Save URL: {{coupon_qr}}Usage:
- Generate personalized coupon
- Display QR in app or email
- Customer scans in-store
- System validates and applies discount
Contact Cards (vCard)
Share contact information easily:
Configuration:
Data: BEGIN:VCARD
VERSION:3.0
FN:{{full_name}}
TEL:{{phone_number}}
EMAIL:{{email_address}}
ORG:{{company_name}}
END:VCARD
Save URL: {{vcard_qr}}Usage:
- Generate contact QR code
- Display in email signature
- Recipients scan to save contact
- Automatically adds to phone contacts
WiFi Sharing
Let guests connect easily:
Configuration:
Data: WIFI:T:WPA;S:{{network_name}};P:{{password}};;
Save URL: {{wifi_qr}}Usage:
- Generate WiFi QR code
- Display in reception area
- Guests scan to connect
- No manual password entry needed
Product Pages
Direct customers to product information:
Configuration:
Data: https://yourstore.com/products/{{product_id}}?ref=qr_{{campaign_id}}
Save URL: {{product_qr}}Usage:
- Print QR codes on packaging
- Include in catalogs
- Use in store displays
- Customers scan for details, reviews, videos
Payment Links
Quick payment collection:
Configuration:
Data: https://pay.yourservice.com/{{invoice_id}}?amount={{total}}&customer={{customer_id}}
Save URL: {{payment_qr}}Usage:
- Generate payment QR
- Send in invoice email
- Customer scans and pays
- Instant payment processing
App Downloads
Direct users to app stores:
Configuration:
Data: https://yourapp.com/download?platform={{device_type}}&ref={{referral_code}}
Save URL: {{download_qr}}Usage:
- Show QR in marketing materials
- Display at events
- Print on packaging
- Users scan to download app
Data Format Examples
Simple URL
Data: https://example.comURL with Parameters
Data: https://example.com/page?user={{user_id}}&token={{access_token}}Plain Text
Data: Welcome to our store! Show this code for 10% off your purchase.Email (mailto)
Data: mailto:{{support_email}}?subject=Support Request&body={{pre_filled_message}}Phone Number (tel)
Data: tel:{{phone_number}}SMS
Data: sms:{{phone_number}}?body={{message_text}}Geographic Coordinates
Data: geo:{{latitude}},{{longitude}}Calendar Event
Data: BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:{{event_title}}
DTSTART:{{start_datetime}}
DTEND:{{end_datetime}}
LOCATION:{{event_location}}
DESCRIPTION:{{event_description}}
END:VEVENTBitcoin Payment
Data: bitcoin:{{bitcoin_address}}?amount={{btc_amount}}&label={{payment_label}}Using Generated QR Codes
In Email Messages
<img src="{{qr_code_url}}" alt="Scan QR Code" width="200" height="200">
<p>Scan this code to access your order</p>In SMS/Text
Your QR code: {{qr_code_url}}
Open this link on your phone to view the code.Display to User
Show QR code image from {{qr_code_url}}
Add instructions: "Scan with your phone camera"For Printing
Download image from {{qr_code_url}}
Print at high resolution
Include in physical materialsIn Mobile App
Display {{qr_code_url}} as image
Allow users to save to photos
Enable sharing via social mediaAdvanced Workflow Example
Complete Order Fulfillment with QR
Workflow Steps:
-
Customer Places Order
- Order ID: 12345
- Customer: john@example.com
-
Generate Order URL
- Set Variable:
{{order_url}}=https://shop.com/track/12345
- Set Variable:
-
Generate QR Code Block
- Data:
{{order_url}} - Save URL:
{{order_qr}}
- Data:
-
Send Confirmation Email
- Include
{{order_qr}}image - Add text: "Scan to track your order"
- Include
-
Store QR in Database
- Associate
{{order_qr}}with Order ID - For future reference
- Associate
-
Print Packing Slip
- Include QR code from
{{order_qr}} - Customer can scan at pickup
- Include QR code from
Best Practices
Data Content
- Keep URLs Short - Shorter URLs create simpler QR codes
- Test Scannability - Verify code scans on various devices
- Use HTTPS - Secure URLs are more trustworthy
- Avoid Special Characters - Some characters may cause issues
- Consider Data Size - More data = more complex QR code
Display Guidelines
- Size Matters - Minimum 2cm x 2cm for print
- High Contrast - Black on white works best
- Add Context - Include instructions "Scan here"
- Error Correction - QR codes have built-in redundancy
- Test Before Distribution - Always test generated codes
Security Considerations
- Validate URLs - Ensure URLs point to your domain
- Use Unique Codes - Don't reuse codes for different users
- Expire as Needed - Implement expiration for sensitive data
- Track Usage - Monitor which QR codes are scanned
- Avoid Sensitive Data - Don't encode passwords or secrets
Performance Tips
- Cache URLs - Store generated QR code URLs
- Batch Generation - Generate multiple codes together
- Reuse When Possible - Same data = same QR code
- Optimize Size - Shorter data = faster generation
- CDN Delivery - Images served via CDN for speed
What You Get Back
After generating a QR code:
- Image URL: Direct link to the QR code image
- Hosted and accessible
- PNG format
- High quality, scannable
- Permanent (doesn't expire)
- Ready to display, email, or download
Example URL:
https://storage.yourservice.com/qrcodes/abc123def456.pngTips for Success
- Test First - Generate test QR codes before production use
- Multiple Devices - Test scanning on different phones
- Lighting Conditions - Verify codes work in various lighting
- Size Appropriately - Larger for distance scanning
- Provide Fallback - Always include the actual URL as text
- Track Performance - Monitor scan rates and usage
- Update as Needed - Generate fresh codes when data changes
- Document Usage - Note what each QR code is for
Troubleshooting
| Problem | Likely Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Empty QR code | No data provided | Ensure "Data" field has content |
| URL not saved | Variable not selected | Select variable in "Save QR code image URL" |
| Won't scan | Too much data | Reduce data size or simplify |
| Low quality | Display size too small | Increase display size (min 200x200px) |
| Wrong content | Incorrect data variable | Verify variable values before generation |
| Expired image | (Shouldn't happen) | Regenerate if URL becomes inaccessible |
Common Mistakes to Avoid
❌ Don't: Encode sensitive information directly ✅ Do: Link to secure page that requires authentication
❌ Don't: Create QR codes smaller than 2cm x 2cm for print ✅ Do: Use adequate size for reliable scanning
❌ Don't: Forget to test generated codes ✅ Do: Always scan test codes before deploying
❌ Don't: Reuse dynamic codes for different users ✅ Do: Generate unique codes per user/order/event
❌ Don't: Assume everyone knows what QR codes are ✅ Do: Provide clear scanning instructions
Real-World Scenarios
Restaurant Menu
Data: https://restaurant.com/menu/table-{{table_number}}
Usage: Print on table cards, customers scan for digital menuBusiness Cards
Data: vCard with contact information
Usage: Include on business card, networking eventsProduct Warranty
Data: https://warranty.com/register/{{product_serial}}
Usage: Print in product box, easy registrationMuseum Exhibits
Data: https://museum.com/exhibit/{{exhibit_id}}?audio=true
Usage: Scan for audio guide and detailed informationReal Estate Listings
Data: https://realty.com/property/{{listing_id}}?agent={{agent_id}}
Usage: Print on "For Sale" signs, instant property detailsQR codes are a powerful bridge between physical and digital worlds - use them creatively in your workflows!