How to Make YOur Own QR Codes

Everywhere you look, you'll find )R codes, those square patterns of black and white blocks. Just photograph one with your smartphone's camera and you will be whisked off to a website that gives you more information (as long as you have Internet access, of course). Now you can get in on the act by creating a QR code for your personal or business website. You can then put links to your website anywhere. Put the code in a club newsletter, on your business card or even wear it on a T-shirt and your site will be just a snapshot away.

Here I'll show you how to create your own QR codes using a free online service. If you use a printing company to design and print your stationery it's as simple as that but you can also incorporate a QR code into a document yourself by following a few golden rules. Nothing could be easier as we're about to see.

Create and use a QR code

#1 Make a basic code
Head to the Informatics QR code generator at http://qrcode.azurewebsites.net. We're going to create a code for a web address, which means we need to click on the URL tab. Now, in the box labelled URL, type in the address, missing out the 'http://' prefix but including 'www' if you need it. Click 'Update OR code image' at the bottom left and your first QR code will appear.

#2 Correct any errors
Sometimes you'll see the warning 'QR-code may not be readable!' above the code. If this happens, click on 'Step 2 - format your QR code appearance'. Select the General tab and choose a higher value for either Error Correction or Quiet Zone Size Click on 'Update OR-Code Image'to check it's now okay. You may have to increase error correction if you see this message again later.

#3 Colour your code
QR codes can be coloured, but remember that contrasting colours are best and nothing is as readable as black on white. If you're not already at Step 2, click on Step 2 - format your QR-code appearance'. Select the Databits' tab and click on '...' next to Colour and select a new colour from the drop-down palette. Click on 'Update QR-Code Image/to see the change.

#4 Go overboard
Changing the colour above will affect only the blocks that represent data. To alter the colours of the targets in the corners of the code, select the Positioners tab in Step 2.To change the background colour go back to the General tab. You can also change the shape of the blocks on the Databits tab. After each change, click on 'Update QR-Code Image'

#5 Add some text
QR codes are readable if some of the blocks are obscured, so you can put some text in your code and it'll still work as long as Error Correction is high enough. Select the Overlay Text tab in Step 2 and enter your text in the 'Text' box. This can be spread over several lines, and you can change the font, size, colour and alpha (opacity) if you want.

#6 Add some graphics
As an alternative to text, how about adding an image, such as a logo? Remove any text, then select the'Overlay image' tab in Step 2. Click on 'Browse .. find and double-click on the image on your computer, and then click Upload'. Click on 'Update OR-Code Image', as usual, and if you don't like what you see, try altering the image's scaling, alpha and offset.

#7 Save your code
When you're happy with your QR code, it's time to try capturing the onscreen image with your smartphone. Click on 'Step 3 - Save Your QR-Code' and select 'Download QR Code Image'. When the Internet Explorer asks if you want to save the file, either click on 'Save' or 'Save as' depending on whether you want to change its name and where it should be stored.

#8 Import to Word
You can now use your saved QR code as you would any other graphic file, but we'll import it into a Word document. With your document open and the cursor where you want your code to appear, select the'Inserf tab and then click on the'Picture' icon. Find your QR code and double-click on it. Fine tune the positioning as you would with any other graphics.

#9 Resize your code
This isn't a guide to using Word, so we're not going to talk about formatting your QR code, but making sure it's large enough is vitally important. So that all smartphones will be able to read it, your code should be no smaller than 25mm at the very least. Also, make sure that nothing else in your document encroaches on your QR code, including the blank space around it.

#10 Job done
With your QR code created and incorporated into a document, you're all done. You know what they say, though - if you've got it, flaunt it! How about putting a OR code on a T-shirt? The Informatics codes don't have a high enough resolution, but if you go to http://goqr.me you can make a slightly less fancy one and order it on a T-shirt or even a mug!