Short answer: A QR code stand is usually a 4 × 6 in. face bent into an L from 1/8 in. acrylic. Either we engrave the code and paint-fill it for contrast, or you put a printed QR sticker behind a clear face so it can be updated. Make the code at least 1.5 in. square, and 2 in. or more if people scan from a distance.

Engraved code or sticker behind clear?

There are two good ways to put a QR code on acrylic, and the choice comes down to whether the link will ever change.

Engraved and paint-filled

We engrave the code directly into the face, then fill it with paint so the dark squares stand out. Engraved white sheet with black fill gives classic dark-on-light contrast that every phone reads instantly. It can't peel or fade, and it looks like part of the stand. The catch: if the link changes, you need a new stand. Use a dynamic QR service (where the code points to a short link you can redirect) and that problem goes away.

Printed sticker behind clear

A clear face with your printed QR sticker or card on the back. The acrylic protects the code from spills and wiping, and you can swap it in seconds. This is the right choice for payment codes, rotating promotions, and anywhere the link may change. We can add a small pocket or a recessed outline showing where the sticker goes.

Tip: scan contrast matters more than color. Plain engraving on clear or black acrylic leaves a pale frosted mark that some phones struggle with. Paint-fill it, or use a printed code.

What size to choose

A QR code should be roughly one tenth of the scanning distance. For a table where the phone is 12 to 18 in. away, a 1.5 to 2 in. code is plenty. On a counter that people scan from a few feet back, go to 3 in. or larger.

  • Table tent or L stand: 4 × 6 in. face, 1/8 in. thick, with a 2 in. base.
  • Counter or checkout stand: 5 × 7 in. face, 1/8 or 3/16 in., with room for a logo and a line of text.
  • Wall or window plate: 6 × 6 in. flat panel with tape or two standoffs.

How we make it

We laser-cut the outline, engrave the code and any logo, then line-bend the base so the stand is one piece. Bending works on sheet up to 1/4 in. thick; see acrylic bending. For two-sided table stands we cut a T shape that slots into a base, so people can scan from either side.

Detail holds up well at these sizes: the smallest QR modules on a 1.5 in. code are around 0.05 in., which is comfortably inside what the laser can resolve. Read laser engraving acrylic to see how engraved marks look on different colors.

Colors and finishes

White with a black-filled code is the most reliable to scan. Black stands look sharp in restaurants and bars, with the code engraved and paint-filled white (most phones read light-on-dark codes, but test yours). Clear with a sticker behind suits any decor. Mirror and fluorescent faces look striking but can confuse cameras with reflections, so keep the code on a flat, matte area.

Design tips

  • Keep a quiet zone (blank margin) at least four modules wide around the code.
  • Add a short call to action under the code: “Scan to order” or “Wi-Fi”.
  • Use the highest error-correction level your QR generator offers if you put a logo in the middle.
  • Export the code as a vector (SVG or PDF) so the squares stay sharp.
  • Test-scan a printed copy at actual size before ordering.

Send your file through upload a drawing for an instant price.

Questions

Does glare on acrylic stop codes from scanning?

Strong overhead light can reflect off a glossy face. Tilting the stand back slightly helps, and non-glare clear acrylic over a sticker cuts reflections.