How to add a donation QR code on a flyer.
A practical, step-by-step guide for nonprofits, school groups, and event organizers who want a printed flyer that converts scans into donations.
To add a donation QR code on a flyer, copy your donation page URL, paste it into a free dynamic QR code generator, download the SVG, place it 1.5 inches wide in the bottom-right of the flyer, and label it "Scan to donate." Always test the printed code with two phones before mass printing.
Start with the URL donors will land on.
Before you touch a flyer, decide where the QR code should send people. The destination shapes everything else. A weak landing page wastes every scan.
Pick one of these:
- Your organization's donation page (Donorbox, Givebutter, your own site)
- A PayPal.me link or Stripe Payment Link
- A campaign-specific landing page with a story and a giving form
Open the URL on your phone first. Does it load fast? Is the giving button above the fold? Can you complete a donation in under 60 seconds? If not, fix the page before printing 500 flyers. The flyer is only as good as the page it points to. For background on what makes a payment URL scannable, the Wikipedia entry on QR codes covers the basics of how the encoding works.
If your destination URL is long and ugly, shorten it with a custom short URL. A short URL also helps if you want to print the link as plain text under the code as a backup.
Generate the QR code in 60 seconds.
Open the free QR code generator and paste your URL. Pick "Dynamic" so you can edit the destination later or track scan counts without reprinting flyers. A static code locks the URL forever, which is fine if you never plan to change anything.
- Paste the donation URL.
- Pick a slug (this becomes the short link).
- Click generate.
- Preview the code on screen.
- Download as SVG (preferred) or PNG.
Choose the file type based on how the flyer will be produced. SVG is a vector format and stays sharp at any size, which is what most print shops want. PNG works for office printers and quick desktop layouts. The PNG and SVG QR code download page explains the difference in detail.
Both formats are free. Keep the SVG as your master file and export PNG copies for email or web previews.
Place the QR code where eyes already go.
On a standard 8.5 x 11 inch flyer, the bottom-right corner gets the most attention after the headline. Put the code there. Below the headline works too if your flyer is short on copy.
Sizing rules that actually work:
- Minimum 1 inch by 1 inch for handout flyers
- 1.5 inch as a safe default
- 2 inches or larger for poster-size prints
- Add at least a 1/4 inch quiet zone (white border) around the code
Contrast: dark code on light background. Black on white scans the most reliably. If you must use brand colors, keep the foreground dark (navy, black, deep indigo) and the background pure white or off-white. Avoid gradients in the code itself, and never put the code over a photo.
Font pairings that look professional:
- Headline: Space Grotesk Bold or Inter Bold
- Body: IBM Plex Sans or Source Sans 3
- Label next to QR: a mono font like IBM Plex Mono in small caps
Stick to two type sizes for body text and one big headline. Less is more. The Swiss design tradition keeps things simple, and that simplicity is what makes a flyer feel trustworthy enough to scan.
Tell people exactly what to do.
A naked QR code without instructions is wasted ink. Add a short label next to or under the code. Keep it three or four words.
Good labels:
- Scan to donate
- Scan with your camera
- Donate in 30 seconds
- Open camera. Point. Tap.
Skip "Scan our QR code." It tells people what they already see and wastes the chance to give them a reason. Put the call to action above the code or to its right, not below where it can blur into the page edge.
If you're running an event, point readers at your fundraising event QR code setup so they know what they're scanning into. If your flyer is for a registered charity, link to your nonprofit QR code page so donors can verify your status.
Add a one-line backup: the printed short URL underneath. Some people still type. Some printers smudge. A backup link saves donations.
Test before you print 500 copies.
Print one flyer first. Just one. Then run this test:
- Scan with an iPhone using the built-in Camera app.
- Scan with an Android phone using Google Lens or the Camera app.
- Scan from 6 inches away. Then 2 feet. Then 4 feet.
- Scan in low light and bright light.
- Click through to the donation page and complete a $1 test gift.
If any scan fails, fix the size, contrast, or quiet zone. Then test again. The Google search docs have a similar "test before launch" rule for any digital asset, and it applies to print too.
Once the test flyer passes, send the file to your print shop or office printer. Use uncoated paper for a matte finish that scans cleanly. Glossy paper can throw glare across the QR code under fluorescent light.
Distribute where your donors actually are: community boards, coffee shops, partner businesses, event venues. Track scans through the dynamic QR code dashboard so you know which locations work and which to skip next time. The dynamic QR code for donations guide goes deeper on tracking and editing live codes.
Generate your donation QR code now.
Free SVG and PNG download. Edit the destination anytime. Track scans by city.
Open the generatorFrequently asked questions.
What size should a donation QR code be on a flyer?
On a standard 8.5x11 inch flyer, the code should be at least 1 inch by 1 inch. A 1.5 inch code is a safer default and scans easily from arm's length.
Should I use PNG or SVG for a printed donation QR code?
Use SVG for any printed flyer. SVG is vector and stays sharp at any size. Use PNG only if the print shop requires a raster file and export it at 300 DPI minimum.
Where on the flyer should the donation QR code go?
Bottom-right corner or directly under the headline. Surround it with white space and add a "Scan to donate" label.
Do I need a dynamic QR code for a flyer?
Yes, if you might change the donation page later or want scan analytics. Dynamic codes let you swap the URL without reprinting.
What colors work best for a printed donation QR code?
Black on white gives the highest contrast. If you use brand colors, keep the foreground dark and the background light, and test before mass printing.
Make a flyer-ready donation QR code.
Free, no signup to test, downloads in SVG and PNG. Edit your destination URL anytime.