Unqode SmartQR exports a QR code in three file formats, and picking the wrong one is one of the more common ways a print job goes sideways. The right choice depends entirely on where the code is going, not on personal preference.
PNG — the everyday, screen-first format
PNG is a raster format — a fixed grid of pixels — available for download on every plan, free included. It's the right choice for anything that lives on a screen: a website, a slide deck, an email, a social post. If you do print from a PNG, keep the export size close to the final print size; scaling a small PNG up for a large poster stretches the same pixels further apart and the edges start to look soft or blocky.
If you try to download SVG or PDF on the Free plan, you'll see a message telling you that format requires Pro — it isn't a bug, and PNG will still work fine as a fallback while you decide whether to upgrade.
SVG — the one to send to a printer
SVG is a vector format: instead of storing pixels, it stores the mathematical shapes of each module, so it can be scaled to any size — a business card or a billboard — with no loss of sharpness at the edges. Always send SVG to a print shop or designer. SVG download is available on Pro and Business.
PDF — for documents and standalone sharing
PDF is the right pick when the QR code needs to live inside a print-ready document, or you just want to hand someone a single, self-contained file rather than an image they have to place themselves. Like SVG, it's vector-based, so it holds up at any size. PDF is also a Pro and Business feature.
How to download a code
- 1Open the QR code from your dashboard.
- 2Click the Download button — on the Free plan, this exports PNG directly; on Pro and Business, it opens a small menu with PNG, SVG, and PDF.
- 3Pick the format and the file downloads immediately, no extra confirmation step.
Working with an outside print agency or designer? Send them the SVG, not a PNG "at high resolution." Vector files give them full control over final size and colour reproduction without you having to guess what size they'll need in advance.