07 / A SMALL CONNECTION
QR code keychain
Build a QR code with separate base and raised modules for two-colour printing.
Loading editor…
Print the modules in a dark colour on a light base. Keep the four-module quiet zone clear and test scanning after printing.
Taking shape here.
3 free STL downloads per day · personal use · no account needed
Open the file in your slicer, check the scale and thin details, then choose settings for your printer and material.
FROM PREVIEW TO PRINT
How to use the qr code stl generator
Generate a raised QR pattern on a supporting plate, with an optional key ring. Download the combined geometry as STL and plan a filament change in your slicer. The model includes a four-module quiet zone around the code. Successful scanning depends on physical contrast, module size, lighting and the camera; a valid digital pattern is not a guarantee that every print will scan.
Check the text before generating a large batch. The code stores exactly the supplied content; it does not shorten links, monitor destinations or provide a dynamic redirect service. Include the URL scheme when you want scanners to recognise a web address. Try the longest row at the planned plate size before using that size for every order. A four-module margin is reserved around the matrix, with a tiny overlap on raised squares to keep diagonal contacts printable. Keep decoration out of that area. Always test the physical result after colour assignment, slicing and printing, since a correct digital matrix alone does not verify camera readability.
- Enter a short URL or text. Check the destination carefully before encoding it; changing a website later does not change the printed pattern.
- Choose an error-correction level. Longer text and higher correction can produce a denser code, requiring a larger print.
- Set plate size, base thickness and raised module height. Keep the quiet zone unobstructed and decide whether a key ring is useful.
- Use strongly contrasting materials or a filament swap. Test the finished print with several phones at realistic viewing distances before giving it to customers.
Settings to start with
These are model settings to test, not a validated printer profile. Check the result with your own material, nozzle and slicer.
| Setting | Start with | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Plate size | 55 mm | A starting footprint; dense patterns need more space. |
| Base thickness | 2 mm | Provides a flat support behind the code. |
| Module height | 0.8 mm | Makes a short raised pattern suitable for a colour change. |
| Error correction | H | Offers more redundancy while potentially increasing pattern density. |
Common problems and fixes
The code will not scan
Check colour contrast, quiet-zone clearance and the smallest printed squares. Use a shorter URL or a larger plate.
Some modules merge
Inspect the slicer’s top view and choose a larger size. Redundancy does not repair a design in which many neighbouring squares are fused.
Frequently asked questions
Does the QR code expire?
The encoded text is static. A linked destination may stop working, so use a URL you control for long-lived prints.
Can I update it after printing?
The printed pattern cannot be edited. If it links to a URL you control, you can change the page or redirect at that URL.
Can I batch different URLs?
You can preview the first three QR rows from a CSV and check each destination. Batch downloads are not available yet. Use the single-model tool for individual STL downloads within the daily limit.
Does STL include filament colours?
No. STL contains geometry only. Plan a filament change in your slicer and print dark QR modules on a light base. Separate-part 3MF export is not available yet.
Try another tool
- Name keychain — Turn a name into a little thing worth keeping. Raised letters, a sturdy base, ready for your keys.
- Text to STL — Give your words some weight. Build dimensional lettering for a desk, a door, or your next project.
- Image to STL — Turn light and shade into a solid relief, or make a flat two-tone logo.