A welcome sign is often the first thing guests see when they arrive, which makes it a natural place for a QR code. One quick scan can take them to a photo album, a place to share a memory, or a livestream link. The catch is that a sign is read from a few feet away, often while people are standing in a line at the door, so a code that works well on a program can be too small to scan on a sign.
This guide covers what to put on a welcome sign QR code, how big to make it, where to place it, and how to add it to a PowerPoint or Canva design. For links, tools and ideas that apply to every type of funeral stationery, see our main guide to adding QR codes to funeral stationery.
What to Link to From a Welcome Sign
Guests reading the sign are already at the service, so the best links are ones that add something for people standing right there, or that help the family collect something from everyone who attends:
- A shared photo album. Guests can look through photos now or add their own. A shared Google Photos album is free and easy to set up.
- A page for sharing memories. This works well if you've set up an online guest book or tribute page, and it saves guests from waiting at a paper book.
- A livestream link. Useful for relatives who couldn't travel. Placing this on the sign mostly helps guests share the link with people who weren't able to attend.
- A donation page. If the family has asked for donations in place of flowers, a code gives guests a quick way to give.
Stick to one link per sign. A single, clear code is easier to scan and easier for guests to understand than several competing ones.
How Big Should the QR Code Be?
The farther away someone scans from, the bigger the code needs to be. A common rule of thumb is about 1 inch of code width for every 10 inches of scanning distance. A guest scanning from 3 feet (36 inches) away needs a code of roughly 3.5 to 4 inches wide, and 2 x 2 inches is the smallest we'd suggest on any welcome sign.
The sign sizes in our templates give you plenty of room:
- Small (8 x 10 inches): best for a table. A code of about 2 x 2 inches works if guests will be standing close.
- Medium (18 x 24 inches): best for an easel near the entrance. Aim for 3 to 4 inches.
- Large (24 x 36 inches): best for prominent placement or bigger venues. Aim for 4 inches or more.
Where to Place the QR Code on the Sign
- Keep it in a corner or along the lower part of the sign, away from the main photo and the name and dates, so it doesn’t compete with the tribute.
- Place it at a comfortable height. On an easel, the very bottom of the sign can be too low to hold a phone up to, so keep the code in the lower middle of the sign rather than at the very edge.
- Leave a plain white border around it. A blank margin of at least a quarter inch on every side helps phones read the code reliably.
- Don't put it on top of a photo. Busy backgrounds make codes harder to scan.
- Keep strong contrast. Dark code on a light background scans best.
Short Wording to Put Next to the Code
A few words beside the code tell guests what they'll find. Keep it short and use the same style as the rest of the sign. Some ideas:
- Scan to see more photos of [Name]
- Scan to share a memory
- Scan to watch the service online
- Scan to leave a message for the family
- Scan to give in [Name]'s memory
For ideas on the main wording of your sign, see our funeral welcome sign wording examples.
How to Add a QR Code in PowerPoint
Our welcome sign templates are PowerPoint files, so you'll create the code separately and insert it as a picture. You'll need the full version of PowerPoint on a desktop or laptop computer.
- Make the code. Create a free static code at the Canva QR code generator. Paste in your link (for example the shared album) and download the code as a PNG.
- Insert it. In PowerPoint, go to Insert, then Pictures, then Picture from File, and choose the PNG.
- Resize it. Drag a corner handle, not a side handle, so the code keeps its shape. Use the sizes above as a guide.
- Move it into place. Position it in a corner or along the bottom, with a clear margin around it. Add your short wording next to it in a text box (Insert > Text Box).
- Save as a PDF. Go to File, then Save As, then PDF, so the layout stays fixed when you print.
For the full editing walkthrough, including photos and sizes, see our guide to making a funeral welcome sign in PowerPoint.
How to Add a QR Code in Canva
If you're making a sign from a Canva poster template, you can create the code inside the design and skip the download step.
- Open your poster design in Canva.
- Go to Elements, search for "QR code" and choose the option to create a static code.
- Paste in your URL link and click Generate code.
- Drag a corner to resize it while keeping its proportions, then move it into place.
- Download your design as a PDF for printing.
Templates for a Welcome Sign With a QR Code
Each of these has room for a corner QR code next to the photos. Browse the full range in our funeral welcome sign collection.
Spring Flowers Funeral Welcome Sign
A gentle spring flower design with one large photo and plenty of open space for a corner QR code. It comes in 24 x 36, 18 x 24 and 8 x 10 inch sizes as PowerPoint files. View in PowerPoint →
Purple Bloom Heart Funeral Welcome Sign
A heart shaped photo collage with space for 15 photos. The QR code can sit below the dates plus a line of wording. It comes in three sizes as PowerPoint files. View in PowerPoint →
Classic Funeral Poster Bundle (Canva Templates)
Twenty middle poster templates and sixteen photo collage designs, in sizes from 12 x 16 up to 24 x 36 inches. You can add a QR code right inside Canva. View in Canva →
Test Before You Print the Big Sign
Always check that the code works before you order a large print:
- Print an 8 x 10 inch version at home, or on a single page, and scan it with at least two different phones.
- Scan it from a few feet away, as a guest would.
- Check that the link opens the right page.
- If you're using a shared album, make sure the sharing settings allow guests to view it without signing in.
For medium and large signs, a local print shop or online service will usually give the cleanest result. Prints of Love can print and ship your finished design. A matte finish is a good choice for a sign on an easel, since glare from a glossy surface can make a code harder to scan.
Frequently Asked Questions
How big should a QR code be on a funeral welcome sign?
At least 2 x 2 inches on any size sign, and larger the farther away guests will scan from. A good guide is about 1 inch of width for every 10 inches of distance, so 3 to 4 inches works well for an easel sign.
Where is the best place for the QR code on a welcome sign?
In a corner or along the bottom, away from the main photo and wording, at a height where guests can comfortably hold up a phone. Leave a plain margin around it.
Do I need a paid Canva account to make a QR code?
No. The Canva QR code generator can create a static code for free. A static code won't expire or change, but it also can't be edited later, so check the link before you print.
Can I use the same QR code on the sign, the program and the slideshow?
Yes. The same code image can go on any item, which keeps everything consistent. It's also fine to use different codes for different purposes, such as a photo album on the sign and a donation page on the program.
Will a QR code scan on a printed sign if the photo behind it is busy?
It's best to keep the code on a plain, light area away from photos. A clear background and a white margin make it much more reliable.
Does the code have to be black and white?
No, but dark on light scans best. If you use color, keep strong contrast between the code and its background.
Related reading: QR Codes for Funeral Programs: Where and How to Add Them, Funeral Welcome Sign Wording Examples and 5 Funeral Welcome Signs
