QR codes help your signs say more
Engraved signs express strong, straightforward messages, e.g., "Welcome, Please Come In" or "Electrical Panel 7J". Sometimes, however, you may need to say more, like provide an email address or a link to a web page. That’s where engraved QR codes generate value for you.
We’ve all seen a QR code…probably accessed them numerous times from our smartphones. You can make this maze of code markings work for you by simply utilizing your current QR code generators to produce a file in svg format. Once you’ve effortlessly processed the file, you can incorporate the code into your sign layout where it’s engraved with the rest of the text. Keep in mind, our software imports most vector files. So go ahead – sign up to say more, with dedicated QR codes.
Engrave and Engage with QR Codes
Give your safety and instructional signs greater voice, with supporting QR codes that any smartphone can easily scan. The codes, similar to line-art logos and ornamental images, are easy to create…even for a novice.
Let’s view the animation on the left. Then capture the completed image on your smartphone, to be linked to a different page on this site.
Now imagine facility-wide ID plates, each with a QR code that links to a training video or a safety page on your website. That’s just a fraction of the possibilities when you “crack the code”!
Our software imports almost any QR code
Enjoy the freedom to select from numerous different QR code generators (scroll down for a list) that you can import seamlessly into our software. Often available free, they can create clean, sharp-edged codes that are easily readable.
In this example we've used a generator for this text:
https://www.scottmachinecorp.com/how
We created a blank sign, imported that QR code onto the sign, then adjusted the size and location. A suitable cutter was selected, and our software generated the tool path – shown as the pale lines inside the outlines.
Ready to Go to Work
This tough, engraved Scott-Ply panel displays your message today, tomorrow and for years to come. Mount it on industrial machines, control panels or wherever essential messages need to be expressed.
These durable panels are easy to read, easy to afford and easy to purchase in our online
Convert an Adobe QR code file to an engraving file
This demonstration converts an Adobe Express QR code, comprising square pixels, into an engraving file.
The process works for codes comprising well-defined modules having sharp edges; squares and dots work well. Avoid triangles and other pointed modules. Also, refrain from utilizing low resolution and colors. The scanning software cannot draw a crisp line along a fuzzy edge.
- Import the QR image file and convert it to a vector (outline) version.
- Resize the image to a size appropriate for the sign, then create the toolpaths using the "pocket" feature to create a file containing tool paths that will guide the engraving tool.
Create a QR Code via Microsft Browser; then create the engraving file
Microsoft introduced a primitive QR generator in late 2023 to create low-resolution QR codes intended for printing. Here is the process to convert a browser-created code into an engraving file.
- Navigate to the web page and use Microsoft Edge to create a QR of the page address.
- Import the QR image file and convert it to a vector (outline) version; resize the code, then create the toolpaths that will guide the engraving tool.
Tip #1: For Clearer Codes, Use Shorter Text
You may want to make your QR code less detailed, to speed up scanning or to use less space on your sign. Achieve this by reducing your character count, lowering the error correction or removing a central graphic.
Compare the two codes shown here. Notice that the code on the left, featuring 36 characters, is considerably smaller than the code on the right, with 77 characters.
Tip #2: Use simple shapes, squares or dots
One of the most important aspects of generating QR codes is to utilize simple shapes, squares or dots because an engraving tool cannot navigate images with sharp, narrow corners. The simpler shapes also make it easier for the code-reading machines to detect the code.
Remember: When importing QR code images and preparing them to engrave, simpler works best. That also means avoiding low resolution and colors. The scanning software cannot draw a crisp line along a fuzzy edge.
Tip #3: Choose error correction level wisely
QR code error correction protects your message by adding redundant bits to your code data so machine scanners can read the data correctly…even if the QR code is compromised by dirt or scratches. Four different error correction levels – L (Low), M (Medium), Q (Quartile) and H (High) – give you various levels of security, but there are trade-offs in size and overall readability of your QR code. So it’s important to consider a level that gives you just the right balance of reliability and legibility.
See how the different error correction levels impact the size and complexity of the four different QR codes here. Each contains 36 characters.
People Helping People - That's Us!
Our customer support crew at Scott Machine is friendly and eager to help. We know all the special tricks for engraving quality QR codes, and our software is uniquely capable of providing ones that are clean and reliable. That’s code for “we can support you better than anyone else.”
To learn more, visit our
Consider the Viewing Distance
Generally, a QR code can be read at about 10 times its size. For example, on the front of an industrial machine, the operator might stand about 30" away; thus a 3" x 3" code should surely be adequate. Remember, always check your codes for readability at actual viewing distance and lighting conditions.
Can I "Read" the Error Correction Level Myself?
Yes, it's easy to spot. Examine the vertical pair of pixels to the lower right of the bottom left Alignment Pattern (the large square in a square). Look carefully at the examples above in Tip #3, and you can read the pixel pair yourself. Low 1/1; Medium 0/1; Quartile 1/0; High 0/0.
Clarity Is Your Friend
We can never overstate the importance of clear, readable text. So, while it’s been stressed before, make sure that the QR codes you develop feature sharp, clean edges…that especially means squares and dots, rather than triangles and other pointed modules that could pose problems for your scanner. Stay away from low resolution and colors, too, in your quest for maximum legibility.
Explain Code Versions
The smallest QR code is 21x21 "pixels" or squares. This is called Version 1. The next sizes are Version 2, 25x25; Version 3, 29x29; and so forth, increasing in steps of 4. The highest is Version 40, having 177x177 pixels. Higher versions can store more information, but they quickly become much larger and take longer to engrave.
Generators
There are dozens of QR code generators online. Use one of the generators to create the code, then export the code using the file type shown to the right of the name. Next, import that file into our engraving software.
Adobe Express QR Code Generator - png -
QRcodemonkey - pdf - https://www.qrcode-monkey.com/
QR Code Styling - png - https://qr-code-styling.com/
QR Creator - svg -
QR Code Dynamic - svg -
QR Code Generator - eps -
QR Code "Contractions"
Several providers of QR codes can condense your text, allowing a simpler, more readable code.
Example of compression: The text below
https://www.scottmachinecorp.com/complicated-and-long-link-to-a-specific-page-on-this-site
might be compressed to:
https://www.scottmachinecorp.com/abcde12345
Contract QR Code Text -- Then Create QR Code Image Files
Lengthy text yields large and complex QR code images. The Bitly generator compresses your text, then converts it to a QR code.
Bitly -
