If you've heard you can't print QR codes with letterpress, we have some news for you. We print them all the time, in both letterpress and foil printing, and we've never had one fail.
There are a few things to know before you add one to your design, from picking the right generator to choosing between static and dynamic codes. Here's what we've learned from printing them.
Yes, we print them in letterpress
We've printed QR codes in letterpress at sizes down to three-quarters of an inch square, and they scan without issue. The impression depth that gives letterpress its signature tactile quality isn't a problem for the code itself. As long as the plate is made from clean vector artwork and the press is properly calibrated, the dots come through sharp enough to register on a phone's QR scanner.
But just to be sure, we always test the QR code on press before we run the prints.
Yes, we print them in foil too
We've done QR codes in gold, copper, silver, and white foil, and all of them scanned fine. The concern you'll see online is that metallic surfaces reflect and confuse the scanner, but in practice, our foils have worked across the board.
The best QR generator for print
We use Adobe's QR code generator, and the default settings work great for letterpress and foil. Two reasons it stands out:
First, it gives you styling options. Rounded dots, custom corner shapes, and color variations are all available, which matters for couples who want the code to feel like part of the invitation design rather than a corporate sticker. We customize the look frequently.
Second, and more importantly, it exports SVG. SVG is vector artwork, which is exactly what we need for platemaking in both letterpress and foil. You can drop the file straight into Adobe Illustrator or even Canva and incorporate it into your design without any quality loss. Raster files like PNG or JPG aren't ideal for print plates, especially at small sizes, but we can still print them if needed.
A quick shortcut: the Chrome browser
If you just need a static code fast, Chrome has one built in. Right-click any page and select “Create QR Code for this page.” It even comes with a little dinosaur in the middle, which you can remove if you want a cleaner look. The code still scans either way.
The catch is that Chrome exports a PNG, not a vector file. For print, we'd still want to regenerate it as an SVG before making a plate. But for a quick check of what a code will look like, or for digital use, it's handy.
The one thing that actually matters: static vs dynamic
This is the most important decision you'll make, and most people don't know to ask about it.
Static QR codes encode the destination URL directly into the pattern. Once generated, they work forever. No subscription, no expiration, no catch. Your wedding guests will be able to scan your RSVP link ten years from now if the site is still up. The tradeoff is that static codes are final. Once they're printed, the destination can't be changed, so the URL you encode needs to be one you're confident will stay active.
Dynamic QR codes route through a third-party service that can track scans and let you change the destination after printing. That flexibility can be genuinely useful. If you want to see how many guests scanned your invitation, redirect the link to a different page after the wedding, or update a product page URL without reprinting packaging, a dynamic code is the right tool.
The catch is that most dynamic code services are subscription-based. If you stop paying, the code stops working. Imagine printing five hundred wedding invitations and having the QR code go dead six months later because a subscription lapsed. If you go the dynamic route, make sure you're using a reputable service and that you understand the long-term cost.
For most stationery, we recommend static. It's simpler, it's permanent, and it costs nothing after the initial generation. Adobe's generator produces static codes by default. But if tracking or editability matters to you, dynamic is a legitimate option as long as you go in with eyes open.
When QR codes make sense on stationery
For wedding clients, we see QR codes most often pointing to:
- RSVP landing pages
- Wedding websites with full event details
- Registry links
- Day-of information like parking and dress code
- Short video messages from the couple
For business clients, we print them on:
- Business cards linking to vCard downloads or portfolios
- Product packaging pointing to product pages or care instructions
- Menus
- Event collateral
When to skip the QR code
We'll be honest. Not every piece of stationery needs a QR code. A formal, traditional wedding invitation suite often reads better without one. The information can live on a separate details card, a wedding website printed as a text URL, or simply on the invitation itself.
If the QR code feels like it's competing with the design rather than supporting it, it probably is. We're happy to talk through whether one belongs on your piece or whether there's a more elegant way to handle the same information.
A few practical tips
Keep the destination URL short. Shorter URLs generate cleaner codes with fewer, larger dots, which scan more reliably at small sizes.
Mind the quiet zone. Every QR code needs a blank margin around it to scan. Adobe's generator builds this in, but designers sometimes crop it too tight. Leave it alone.
Don't put the code near a fold. If your piece folds, keep the QR code on a flat panel.
Test with multiple phones. We use both iPhone and Android to confirm scans before approving a job.
The bottom line
QR codes in letterpress and foil aren't a compromise. Done right, they're a clean, modern bridge between your printed piece and whatever lives online. The craftsmanship of the paper stays intact, and your guests or customers get a seamless way to take the next step.
If another shop has told you it can't be done, they're telling you what's easy for them, not what's possible. We've been doing it for years, and the codes work every time.