If you are reading the title to this article and having trouble imagining what a QR Code is, think Barcode 2.0. QR codes are higher capacity matrices, allowing URL’s and text to be saved inside it’s dimensions. QR itself stands for “Quick Response”, and intended design feature allowing the quick decoding of the information stored.
So why would you want to generate your own QR code?
You can generate a QR purely for fun or to display on something business or industry related. With the boom of mobile smart phones such as the iPhone, these devices are now able to read the codes and deliver the intended destinations on the phone itself, a great idea if displayed on marketing leaflets or brand packaging.
The QR Code generator from Kaywa allows you to enter a certain piece of text such as a web address, phone number or short message. This code can then be distributed among your marketing material or your personal avatar, meaning people who see it can possibly scan it to reveal the information you have encoded within it.
For example, here is the QR code for WillINeedIt.com:
Pepsi have adopted this approach, as well as certain fashion chains. If you feel like having a go, visit Kaywa’s website and have a go yourself!
Update: Shortly after posting this article I received an email from a reader named Roger, who kindly referred me to the following tools (source) that can generate more detailled codes:
Barcode Maker
User interface for the Google Chart API with 547px x 547px maximum size.
BeQRious
Basic but can save as a pdf.
i-nigma
Foreign language versions available in Español, Português and Italiano.
Invx
One size but generates a QR Code and a Datamarix Code simultaniously.
Jaxo
Multiple colors and upload background graphic.
Kaywa
Generates small, medium, large and extra-large sizes.
Mofuse
Basic.
Nokia
Includes full VCARD implementation.
QR Stuff
One size and will do only a partial VCARD format.
Raco
Can specify error correction levels.
SnapMaze
One size but choice of six colors.
Snappr
Includes full VCARD implementation.
Winksite
PNG and JPG in standard sizes.
