A practical workflow
Start with a clean export
Use the generated QR image rather than a screenshot of a busy screen. Preserve sharp edges when placing it in artwork.
Keep surrounding space
Do not add a frame or text directly against the code modules. Leave the original clear border intact.
Test the final size
Scan the printed design on more than one phone. Check the real material and lighting because export quality is only one part of reliability.
Avoid this mistake
Avoid cropping the white border to make the code look larger inside a fixed template.
What to check
Treat a successful real-world scan test as evidence, rather than judging the artwork only by appearance.
Test the whole physical journey
Check both the printed code and the page behind it. A successful scan is only the entry point: the customer still needs to recognise the business, describe an experience and understand the Google handoff. Use the final material under ordinary lighting. Keep a copy of the approved artwork so a replacement does not accidentally introduce a different destination.