A QR code on a shop window lets people who walk past after closing still do something: see the menu, check opening hours, book, or browse stock. Mount it on the inside of the glass at around chest height, make it dark on a light backing, and test it at dusk and in direct sun.
What should a window QR code open?
Pick the action passers-by cannot do through glass. A restaurant can link to its menu and booking page. A clothing shop can link to a sale collection. An estate agent can link to listings, as covered in the real estate guide. A closed shop can link to opening hours and an after-hours enquiry form. The strongest windows state the benefit in one line: "Scan to see tonight's tables."
How big and how high?
People read windows from the pavement, about one to two metres away. By the ten-to-one rule of thumb, a code 10 to 15 cm wide covers that range. Mount it between hip and chest height (roughly 90 to 140 cm) so a phone can be held level without stretching or crouching. Keep it away from door handles, stickers and reflections from opposite buildings.
How do you deal with glass?
- Print on the inside, facing out. A window cling or static-cling film is easy to swap and avoids vandalism.
- Add a solid white or light backing. A QR code printed on clear film over a dark shop interior loses contrast. Back it with white vinyl, or print a light block behind the modules.
- Avoid mirrored or tinted glass where possible. If the glass is tinted, test the contrast after fitting.
- Watch for glare. Test at different times of day. Matt film scans better than gloss.
- Don't place it behind a grille or shutter you lower at night, or the code is hidden when passers-by have time to scan.
The colour guide explains contrast, and the print size guide shows how to test distance.
How do you track and update a window code?
Window graphics last months, but offers change weekly. A dynamic QR code lets you swap the destination from a sale page to a holiday-hours page without touching the glass, and shows you when scans peak. Many windows see most scans after closing time, so check whether your scan log shows the evening pattern. If it does, the destination should work well when the shop is closed.
Related: posters, retail, all placements, QR code tracking.