How to make a 3D QR plaque
Reading distance decides the size; location decides whether it gets scanned.
2026-09-01 · 5 min read
The wall plaque is the most versatile format: works for WiFi, reviews, social media, check-in, rules or information. And it's the one that fails most often when the size is picked wrong.
The 1-to-10 rule
The code's side should measure roughly a tenth of the distance it'll be scanned from. It's an industry rule, conservative and very reliable in practice.
| Distance | Code side | Plaque |
|---|---|---|
| 30 cm | 3 cm | 50 mm |
| 50 cm | 5 cm | 70 mm |
| 1 m | 10 cm | 120 mm |
| 1.5 m | 15 cm | 170 mm (two pieces) |
If you need more than 15 cm of code, a home printer falls short: split the piece or switch to a vinyl-printed sign.
Height and placement
- Between 1.4 m and 1.7 m off the floor: eye height.
- Never backlit or facing a window.
- Never under a direct spotlight that creates a reflection on the surface.
- In through-traffic areas, not in corners: people scan what they see without searching.
Mounting
The model's two holes are 4.6 mm, good for 3.5-4 mm screws. If you'd rather not drill, foam double-sided tape (VHB-type) is the best option: it lasts for years on smooth walls, tile, glass or wood, and comes off when heated with a hair dryer.
Thickness and material
3 to 4 mm thick. Less and the plaque warps when stuck to an uneven wall or from heat. Matte PLA indoors; PETG or ASA if it'll get sun.
Try it now
Generate your code and its 3D object in under a minute, no sign-up required.
Open the 3D QR generator