What Are 3D-Printed QR Codes? Things You Should Know

With people checking their phones dozens of times a day, if you want to get through to any modern audience, the best solution is to reach them through their smartphones. 

QR Codes can do just that—displaying important information about your business, products, and services with a single scan. 

But now, you can take it a step further with 3D-printed QR Codes. 3D-printed QR Codes are much more versatile than standard 2D QR Codes, and you can add them to all kinds of physical products to advance your branding and marketing objectives and help your business stand out. Ready to create your own 3D-printed QR Code? This guide will explain everything you need to know to get started.

What is a 3D-printed QR Code?

Let’s start by explaining the QR Code basics. A QR Code (quick response code) is a scannable barcode that uses shaded markings placed in multiple directions to display a custom piece of data. In simpler terms, a QR Code is a scannable image that takes you directly to specific information—anything from a dinner menu to product specifications. 

QR Codes offer significant benefits over regular barcodes. First, these small matrix codes can store around 100 times more information than a barcode. In addition, QR Codes also have built-in error correction, so they’re still scannable even if they’re dirty, smudged, or scratched.

Standard printable QR Codes are two-dimensional, so you would typically print them on paper or another flat surface or use them in digital media. But now you can also use 3D printers to create 3D QR Codes, opening up a whole new world of possibilities.

It’s helpful to think of a 2D QR Code as being made up of a bunch of little flat squares, while a 3D-printed QR Code is made up of tiny boxes. Since 3D-printed QR Codes are tangible, physical items, they offer a variety of new use opportunities.  

Examples of practical applications of 3D-printed QR Codes

3D-printed QR Codes serve many purposes in marketing and branding applications, including:

Branded merchandise

If you create branded merchandise, such as key chains or water bottles, 3D-printing QR Codes and incorporating them into your giveaways is a great way to promote your marketing campaign. 

For example, if you participate in an upcoming trade show, you can upload product or business info to a 3D-printed QR Code and add it to your keychains. That way, any time someone takes a keychain, they can scan the QR Code to learn more about your business.

It’s like a business card that people actually want, and it’s an efficient way of sending marketing messages to large groups of people. 

Educational tools

QR Codes can also be used in the education sector. Institutions and educators can embed QR Codes in their materials to display additional information about a topic. For example, a museum may incorporate 3D QR Codes into a dinosaur exhibit for you to scan and learn more about these prehistoric creatures. 

Packaging

Companies can integrate 3D-printed QR Codes into their packaging designs for a unique and interactive customer experience. For example, a hair product manufacturer can add 3D QR Codes to their packaging to simplify the reorder process, display their contact information, and explain their products’ ingredients. 

Event tickets

Ticket sellers, venues, and event organizers have recently started using 3D QR Codes as event passes. Instead of relying on physical event tickets, modern event planners can use 3D QR Codes to promote better security and add a cool, memorable element.

ID tags

Like barcodes, you can use QR Codes for identification purposes. For example, companies can utilize these codes to enable equipment tracking, theft prevention, and even personal identification for staff.

The benefits of using 3D-printed QR Codes

You’re probably already familiar with standard QR Code benefits, but 3D-printed QR Codes come with several additional benefits for marketers, manufacturers, and other businesses. Here are some key advantages:

Durability

In addition to their built-in error correction, which makes them more reliable, 3D-printed QR Codes are also extremely durable and much less susceptible to damage than stickers and printed codes. 

Aesthetic appeal

3D printers produce creative, innovative products in almost every category you can think of worldwide. They offer a huge variety of design and style options that you can use to manufacture creative and visually pleasing QR Code designs.

Interactive marketing

With this technology, you can evolve your marketing efforts to follow your audience wherever they go. For example, if you embed a QR Code on a promotional item, anyone who takes this item will essentially have a moving advertisement in their possession. 

Customization

3D printing can produce uniquely shaped and designed QR Codes. No matter what your product’s specifications are, you can design a suitable QR Code to send targeted marketing messages. 

User engagement

If you want to add a “wow” factor to your product that will captivate your target audience, look no further than a 3D-printed QR Code. These designs are more visually appealing than 2D QR Codes and compel people to keep interacting with your brand. 

5 steps to create 3D-printed QR Codes for your business

With today’s technology, DIY-ing your own 3D-printed QR Codes is actually a straightforward process. Continue reading to learn how to create these codes for your business.

1. Generate a QR Code

QR Codes may seem sophisticated in practice, but they’re actually fairly easy to create. You can build your own QR Code with QR Code Generator PRO and get a high-resolution, easily scannable code.  

QR Code Generator PRO lets you customize your QR Code with whatever design and different colors you want and upload your website URL, text, or files—whatever you want your code to link to.

Once you finish creating your QR Code, download it as an STL or SVG file format so that the 3D modeling software and printer can read it. 

2. Convert the QR Code to a 3D model

Next, you’ll use a 3D modeling software’s extruder tool to convert your 2D QR Code into a 3D model.

For this step, you’ll need to upload your printable 2D model and create G-code printing instructions. There are tons of free slicer programs, like Tinkercad, UltiMaker Cura, and SketchUp, with tutorials to walk you through the process.

Just remember to make sure there is a clear distinction between the raised (black) and flat (white) areas of the QR Code so it becomes scannable.

3. Refine and optimize your model

Once you have your 3D design, it’s time to optimize it based on its end application. Generally speaking, you want to make sure it fits the design of the item you plan to place the QR Code on (keychain, water bottle, etc.).

Before you print, you can also add additional design elements or open attachment points to the final design. 

4. Prepare and print the 3D QR Code

Now, it’s time to print. Keep in mind that 3D QR Codes print best at slow speeds. In addition, you should activate the linear advance setting on your 3D printer to print sharper corners and a higher quality final product. 

There are tons of filament options you can choose from, but remember that there needs to be a clear contrast between the code and the background for it to scan correctly.

5. Finalize and process the model

When you finish printing, you can clean up your 3D-generated QR Code and remove any post structures. You can also add protective elements to improve durability. And don’t forget to scan it to test and make sure it works!

Get started with your own unique QR Codes today

3D-printed QR Codes open up a whole new world of use cases, and you can easily create these codes with the help of a 3D printer. No matter what field or industry you’re in, you can use 3D QR Codes to further your marketing objectives and showcase your products and services. 

But to get started, you’ll need to generate your own QR Code first—and that’s where QR Code Generator PRO comes in. QR Code Generator PRO makes it easy to build your own custom QR Codes that show off your brand and style.

Sign up today to start generating custom QR Codes for your business!