Artwork Guidelines

QR codes

• Black areas in QR codes should be built as 100% Black (not a composite CMYK build) to provide the best chance of scanning properly. Other areas of QR codes can be printed in color, as they’re usually readable by smartphones.
• QR codes should be provided as vector files or high-resolution raster files (300 ppi at the print size) to produce the best print quality.

Corrugated items:

• A minimum size of 0.9" x 0.9" is recommended. This is measured at the outside edges of the QR code (not the white margin area).

Cardstock and other items:

• A minimum size of 0.4" x 0.4" is recommended. This is measured at the outside edges of the QR code itself (not the white margin area).

Barcodes

Barcodes are not recommended for digital printing on corrugated materials. We recommend sourcing printed barcode stickers to apply to corrugated boxes for this purpose, as we are not equipped to offer barcode testing or verification. You may also place a single-unit test order to check if the barcode(s) will scan.

While we cannot guarantee that barcodes printed using digital printing methods will scan, most of our customers are pleased with the print result on their finished boxes when the guidelines below are followed.

• Barcodes are required to be built as 100% Black only to provide the best chance of scanning properly. This is a requirement. Building the file with a CMYK build or a screen of black can result in a barcode that will not scan.
• Barcodes should be provided as vector files or high-resolution raster files (300 ppi at the intended print size) to produce the best print quality.

Corrugated items:

• The minimum width recommendation is 2.2" wide (150%) for UPC-A type barcodes. This is measured from first bar to last bar.
• The minimum height recommendation is 0.5".

Cardstock and other items:

• The minimum width recommendation is 1.375" for UPC-A type barcodes. This is measured from first bar to last bar.
• The minimum height recommendation is 0.5".

Creating artwork for print? Read our Artwork Guidelines for a comprehensive list of print-ready recommendations.