3 Formats Compared
PNG
Portable Network Graphics
Raster image format. Great for screens, social media, emails, and websites. Fixed resolution.
Pros
- Universal support — works everywhere
- Perfect for web, email, and social media
- Small file size
- Transparent background support
Cons
- Pixelates when scaled up
- Fixed resolution — choose size carefully
- Not ideal for large-format print
Use when: You need a QR code for digital channels: websites, emails, social posts, or presentations.
SVG
Scalable Vector Graphics
Vector format. Scales to any size without quality loss. Ideal for print, packaging, and signage.
Pros
- Infinite scalability — billboard to business card
- Crisp at any size and DPI
- Small file size
- Editable in design tools (Illustrator, Figma)
Cons
- Not all apps support SVG natively
- Requires a design tool or modern browser to view
- Some email clients won't display SVGs
Use when: You're printing: packaging, posters, business cards, banners, signage, or any physical material.
Portable Document Format
Document format embedding the QR code as a vector. Easy to share with print shops and designers.
Pros
- Universally viewable — every device has a PDF reader
- Vector quality preserved inside the document
- Easy to send to print shops
- Consistent rendering across platforms
Cons
- Larger file size than PNG or SVG
- Not directly embeddable in web pages
- Requires extraction for use in design tools
Use when: You're handing files to a print shop, sharing with a colleague, or need a self-contained document.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | PNG | SVG | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scalability | Fixed resolution | Infinite | Infinite (vector inside) |
| Best for screens | |||
| Best for print | |||
| File size | Small | Smallest | Medium |
| Editable in design tools | |||
| Universal viewer support | |||
| Availability | Free | Free | Pro |
Print Guidelines
Printing QR codes? Follow these rules for reliable scanning.
Minimum Size
Keep QR codes at least 2cm × 2cm (0.8" × 0.8") for reliable scanning. Larger is always better.
DPI for Print
Use 300 DPI minimum for print. SVG format handles this automatically since it's vector-based.
Quiet Zone
Leave at least 4 modules of white space around the QR code. Don't crop or place elements too close.
Test First
Print a test copy and scan with 2-3 different phones before committing to a full print run.
Contrast
Ensure strong contrast between modules and background. Dark-on-light is most reliable.
Surface Material
Avoid highly reflective or textured surfaces. Matte paper and flat surfaces scan most reliably.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which format should I use for social media?
PNG. It's universally supported by every social platform, email client, and messaging app. Download at the highest resolution available.
Which format is best for business cards?
SVG. Business cards are professionally printed at high DPI. SVG is vector-based, so your QR code will be perfectly crisp regardless of the print resolution.
Can I convert between formats?
You can always re-download your QR code in a different format from TapNN. For one-off conversions, SVG can be converted to PNG in any design tool, but PNG cannot be cleanly converted to SVG.
Is PDF download free?
PNG and SVG downloads are free for all users. PDF export is available with TapNN Pro. The PDF embeds your QR code as a vector, making it easy to share with print shops.
What resolution is the PNG download?
TapNN generates high-resolution PNG files at 2x scale for crisp display on retina screens and decent print quality at smaller sizes.