How do I download a QR code menu?

Q: How do I download a QR code menu?

To download your QR code menu from Dishtup, log into your dashboard, select your menu, and click 'Download QR Code'. Choose SVG format for professional printing (it stays sharp at any size) or PNG for digital sharing. The file downloads to your device and is ready to use immediately. The QR code never expires and can be printed on anything — table cards, posters, packaging, or signage. If you update your menu content, the same QR code file continues to work without needing to be re-downloaded.

Once you've created your digital menu with Dishtup, downloading your QR code is a single-click action from your dashboard. But the format you download matters — PNG, SVG, and PDF each serve a different purpose, and choosing the wrong one means your printed QR code may look blurry or fail to scan reliably.

This guide covers exactly how to download your QR code, which file format to choose for each use case, and how to verify the download is print-ready before sending it to a printer.

Log in to your Dishtup account at dishtup.com and go to your main dashboard.
Select the menu project you want to download the QR code for — if you have multiple menus (lunch, dinner, drinks), each has its own QR code.
Click on 'QR Code' or 'Download QR Code' in the menu editor toolbar. A download panel will appear showing your format options.
Choose your file format based on how you'll use it: SVG for professional printing (scalable to any size without quality loss), PNG for digital sharing or simple home printing, PDF if your printer or designer requests it.
Click Download. The file saves to your device's default download folder. Rename it to something clear (e.g., 'restaurant-menu-qr-2025.svg') so you can find it later.
Before printing, open the file and test it: on a computer screen, zoom in to verify the QR modules are sharp and clearly defined. Then scan the file from your screen with your phone to confirm it links correctly.

Your downloaded QR code never expires — the same file you download today will still work in 5 years, because it points to a permanent Dishtup URL that doesn't change. If you ever rebrand (new logo, new colors), you can regenerate a freshly designed QR code from your dashboard and replace the old files — but you don't have to. The original QR code image will always continue to link to your menu, regardless of how many times you edit the menu content.

Understanding QR code file formats before you download

The three formats you'll commonly encounter when downloading a QR code are PNG, SVG, and PDF. Understanding when to use each prevents the most common printing mistakes:

PNG: A raster image (made of pixels). Looks great on screen and for small prints (business cards, receipts, social media). If you print a small PNG file at a large size (e.g., A4 poster), it will appear blurry. Download PNG only if the print size is below about 10 cm × 10 cm, or if the PNG is provided at high resolution (1000×1000px minimum).
SVG: A vector format that scales to any size without any quality loss. The same SVG file works perfectly on a 3 cm table card and a 50 cm window poster. This is the professional standard for QR codes that will be printed.
PDF: Suitable if your designer or print shop requests it. Typically wraps the vector QR in a document format that's easy to hand off to a print workflow.

Print specifications for restaurant QR codes

Knowing the right print specs avoids rejection at the print shop and ensures reliable scanning in your dining room:

Minimum size: 2.5 cm × 2.5 cm absolute minimum; 4 cm × 4 cm recommended for table cards scanned from 30–50 cm away.
Quiet zone: Leave a white border around the QR code of at least 4 modules (the width of one square in the QR grid). Cutting into this zone causes scanning failures.
Color contrast: Dark modules (ideally black or very dark brand color) on a white or very light background. Avoid reversed QR codes (light modules on dark background) — many phone cameras struggle with these.
Lamination effect: Glossy lamination can cause reflections that interfere with scanning in bright light. Matte lamination is safer for high-light environments like outdoor terraces.

What to do after downloading

After downloading your QR code file, run through this quick checklist before printing in bulk:

Scan the file from your computer screen using both an iPhone and an Android phone
Confirm the scan opens your correct, current menu
Check that the menu loads within 3 seconds on a standard mobile connection
Print one test card at the actual size before ordering a full print run
Scan the printed card from a normal viewing distance (30–50 cm) and confirm it still works

Storing and organizing your QR code files

Over time, you may accumulate several versions of your QR code (original design, rebranded version, special event version). Keep them organized in a folder named clearly with dates and versions — e.g., 'qr-menu-v1-2024.svg' and 'qr-menu-v2-2025.svg'. Share the latest version with your print supplier and keep an archived copy in cloud storage (Google Drive, Dropbox) as backup. With Dishtup, you can always re-download your current QR code at any time from your dashboard, so you never need to worry about losing the original file permanently.

Create your free menu now