How to Create a QR Code Using Canva: Static, Dynamic, and Custom Options

In today’s world, QR codes are everywhere. From marketing campaigns to personal use, they offer a convenient way to link to websites, apps, and more. And while you can create them manually using dedicated tools or software, there are QR code generators available on Canva, the popular design platform that offers an intuitive and easy-to-use interface.

Canva provides several different routes for generating QR codes. You can generate them natively inside of Canva as either a static or dynamic QR code. Or, you can use the Static QR Codes app (from the Canva Apps Marketplace) or even leverage Bitly-powered QR codes via the QR Codes (& Links) via Bitly app.

QR codes are typically created by embedding information such as a URL or phone number into a 2D matrix of black and white squares. These patterns encode the information within the grid, which can be decoded using a smartphone camera with appropriate QR decoding functionality built-in. As you might expect, QR codes can be used for virtually any project involving linking information from one source to another.

However, it is worth noting that there are two basic types of QR codes:

A “static” QR code links to a single destination URL after creation.

A “dynamic” QR code allows you to update what it links to at any time, even if it’s printed or published elsewhere.

With these two options, it’s relatively simple to embed a QR code directly in your Canva projects, whether it’s a print publication, digital ad, or something entirely custom. For now, we’ll stick to the native tools within Canva. We’ll also take a closer look at both static and dynamic options later.

Creating a QR code in Canva

There are multiple ways to insert a QR code in Canva, depending on the type of QR code that you want to generate. To begin, click on the menu icon in the upper-left corner and select “Elements.” This will open up a gallery of all the elements that you can add to your project.

Within the Elements menu, you should see a list of icons that you can add to your design. However, there isn’t a direct option to insert a QR code. Rather, you have to scroll down until you see the “Qr code” category. Then, simply select any QR code design you’d like to use in your design. It will automatically appear where your cursor is placed.

Alternatively, you can search for “QR code” directly from the search bar above the Elements menu.

This brings us to our first point: There are several different types of QR codes you can choose from, including static and dynamic versions. A static QR code contains a fixed destination URL once it has been created, whereas a dynamic QR code allows the URL to be changed after printing or publishing the QR code.

You also can customize the QR code itself, selecting its design. Additionally, you can set the destination URL to be fixed or flexible — in other words, a “static” QR code versus a “dynamic” one.

Finding and installing the Static QR Codes app

You can also find an additional QR code generator from the Canva Apps Marketplace, which adds yet another dimension to QR code usage and management. While this particular app is called the “Static QR Codes,” it may be worth taking a look at the features it offers. Let’s check it out.

Clicking on the menu icon again opens the Apps Marketplace. From here, you can search for the “Static QR Codes” app. Clicking on it and then choosing “Add to my Canva” installs the app to your Canva account.

Once installed, the Static QR Codes app appears in your dashboard as an individual application. From here, simply load it into the editor to access its capabilities. Select a design, and wait for the app to load in the editor. From there, you can choose how many QR codes you’d like to create, the type, color, size, etc.

The Bitly-powered QR Codes app

One final option involves leveraging the Bitly Connections Platform. You probably already know Bitly as a link shortening service, but Bitly has evolved into something far more robust than that.

The QR Codes (& Links) via Bitly app leverages Bitly to help you create QR codes and short links right inside your Canva designs. The QR Codes (& Links) via Bitly app includes all the standard QR code options (customization, design, etc.) plus some added tracking capability.

Again, the process is relatively straightforward. Once you’ve downloaded the app and opened it inside of Canva, you can select how many QR codes you’d like to create, along with various details about their appearance and function.

From here, you’re able to track engagement with in-depth analytics provided by the platform. This makes for a powerful combination, offering QR codes embedded in a design, and the ability to analyze user interaction through analytics, too.

A practical use case: Luggage tags!

While QR codes are becoming ubiquitous across all sorts of applications, they’re still a relatively novel technology. So it’s interesting to see how they can be applied in a variety of ways. One example is luggage tags, where they serve as both a means of identifying your bags as well as allowing passengers to connect with others traveling the same route. In fact, the QR code could even be linked to a lost-and-found form.

But how would you use it in practice? I recently designed a luggage tag, which I believe I’ll soon be testing out myself! Here, I’m using a Canva-generated QR code that links to a Google Forms™ page, allowing the recipient of the luggage tag to enter contact information. Obviously, this is a fictional scenario, since I don’t actually travel with luggage!

What does this tell me? That QR codes really do have versatility and utility, not just for marketers and brands. They also have applications across print and digital media alike.

Of course, the easiest and most cost-effective method of generating a QR code remains the free Canva generator. But there are times when having more customization, flexibility, and analytical capabilities makes sense, too.