QR codes for restaurants
The four codes a restaurant genuinely uses, and how to turn them into pieces that outlast a laminated sheet of paper.
1Content
Also accepts tel:, mailto: or any address. The shorter, the better it prints.
Always use the guest network: anyone who scans the code can read the password.
Or start from a template
2Code design
On the 3D object the logo becomes a single-color silhouette.
3Turn your QR into a 3D object
Up to 28 characters. A short text multiplies scans.
Code preview
Everything is generated in your browser. No data is sent to a server.
3D object
- Modules
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- Per module
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- Size
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- Triangles
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The four codes that actually get used
- The menu. One per table, on a table stand. It's scanned the most and wears out the fastest as laminated paper.
- Google reviews. At the counter or by the register, where the bill gets paid. That's the moment the customer is satisfied and has their phone in hand.
- WiFi. On a wall plaque, near the tables or in the restroom. Saves you from reciting the password twenty times a day.
- The table number. If you take table-side orders or run food from the kitchen, a different code per table that already carries the number.
Why a printed piece instead of laminated paper
A laminated sign costs less than a dollar, but it bends, gets stained with oil, fades, and communicates exactly that to the customer. A 3D-printed piece with the code in relief wipes clean with a cloth, doesn't bend, won't peel off, and signals that the place cares about details. You can also make it match your brand color.
The math changes too: if you already have, or know someone with, a 3D printer, each stand costs roughly $0.25-0.75 in filament — figures vary a lot by country and filament brand. A comparable acrylic stand with a printed QR code bought commercially tends to run several times that per unit, though retail prices differ widely by market, so it's worth checking what a local sign shop or supplier charges you.
Common mistakes
- Linking to a heavy PDF: it's slow to open and reads terribly on a phone. A simple web page or a lightweight, optimized PDF works better.
- Using a QR code that expires: some free generators create dynamic codes that stop working if you don't pay. QR3D's codes are static and point directly to your link.
- Changing the menu's URL: if you change the link, every printed code stops working. Settle on a permanent address before printing.
- Making the code too small: under 5 cm a side on a table stand, a lot of people have to get up from their seat.
- Not saying what's behind it: always add a short text.
Common questions
How many QR codes does a restaurant need?
At minimum two: menu and reviews. Most end up with four: menu, reviews, WiFi and social media. If you take table-side orders, add one per table.
Can I change the menu without reprinting the stands?
Yes, as long as the link doesn't change. Point the QR code to a fixed address (like yoursite.com/menu) and update that page's content whenever you want.
Is it legal to ask customers for reviews?
Asking for a review, yes. What Google's policies prohibit is incentivizing it (offering something in exchange) or only showing the code to happy customers. A neutral sign is perfectly fine.
What color works best in a restaurant?
A light base with a dark code, in matte filament. If your venue is dark, a light base stands out more on the table and also scans better.
Do I need a website for the menu?
Not necessarily. You can use your Google Business Profile, a PDF hosted on your own domain, or any digital-menu service. What matters is that the link stays stable.