QR-Codes-On

Using QR codes in books

Add QR codes to your books to give readers a richer, more engaging experience that goes beyond the printed pages. With just a quick scan, they can explore related articles, videos, download links, and online bookstores, or even connect to exclusive digital content and bonus materials. It’s a simple yet powerful way to make reading and learning more interactive, immersive, and enjoyable for every type of reader.

QR codes in books
QR codes in books
QR codes in books
QR codes in books
QR codes in books
QR codes in books

Benefits of incorporating QR codes in books

Some people believe that design is not important in a book and that the words alone are enough. However, making a book more visually appealing and engaging is never a bad idea. Just as reading groups bring people together to discuss books, online forums and digital platforms do the same today. Now, many readers are exploring books in new ways by connecting printed stories to digital experiences.

Imagine you wrote a chapter inspired by a song from your teenage years. Would it not be great if your readers could listen to that song while they read? Or even follow a playlist that matches the mood of your story? These connections can help readers feel more engaged with your book and more connected to you as the author.

With QR codes, you can link your book to digital platforms such as videos, music, downloads, and other resources. It is a simple and creative way to make reading more interactive and to help readers connect with each other and with the story on a deeper level.

Beyond the text +

QR codes connect printed books to the digital world. People have long wanted to experience stories in ways that go beyond simply reading words. In the past, readers enjoyed shared experiences such as reading groups, graphic novels, and books that included music cassette tapes, and today many readers use audiobooks and other digital formats.

QR codes build on this tradition by letting readers explore additional content, such as videos, songs, extended background information, or interactive materials, with a simple scan. Whether it is a storybook, a textbook, or a coffee table photo book, QR codes make reading more interactive, immersive, and exciting for a wide range of audiences.

Attracts students +

You can make learning more fun and engaging for students by adding multimedia elements through QR codes. For example, place an MP3 QR code next to vocabulary words so learners can practise pronunciation in language classes. Add a dynamic URL QR code to link to an interactive worksheet or online activity where students can review and apply what they have learned.

With a PDF QR code, you can share additional study materials such as historical texts, reading passages, or video lesson transcripts without printing extra pages. You can also reduce printing costs by using an image gallery QR code to share book illustrations, diagrams, or high-resolution images that students can zoom and download on their devices.

Connect readers +

Finishing a book can be difficult sometimes, and one of the best ways to stay motivated is to connect with other readers or discover more books by the same author or within the same genre. Adding a QR code to the book cover or flap can help with this by linking readers to curated reading suggestions, online forums, discussion questions, or a virtual bookstore where they can buy more titles by the author.

With our video QR code, readers can watch exclusive interviews, behind-the-scenes clips, or short films inspired by the book. Many authors, YouTube creators, and Instagram personalities built followings online before publishing, and some podcasts have even been adapted into books. Blending literature with digital content helps make reading more social, entertaining, and immersive.

You can also use our link list QR code to keep fans updated, invite questions during live streams, or enable reader-to-reader connections. Share a playlist that complements your story using an MP3 QR code, or show the real places that inspired your scenes with an image gallery QR code. By combining printed text with digital extras, you can turn your book into a full experience on the page and beyond.

Interactive narratives +

Augmented reality (AR) lets the story continue even after the last page. With a QR code, you can lead readers to fun extras such as a scavenger hunt, an alternate ending, or an online game, keeping them excited and connected to the book. You can also link your book to a virtual library full of adventure stories, giving readers a place to explore related titles and bonus content. It is a great way to encourage children and teens to read more, and it can also inspire adult authors to add creative, interactive elements to their books.

How to add a QR code for books?

1

Sign up to access the QR code generator and choose the type of QR code to add to your book. We recommend starting with the dynamic URL QR code.

2

Simply enter your website link, and your QR code will be generated automatically.

3

Personalize your QR code design by adding a frame and a "Scan Me" label.

4

Select the colors for your QR code to match your brand or personal style.

5

Click “Download” to save your QR code as a JPEG file.

6

Insert the downloaded QR code into your book layout, whether on the cover, flap, or inside pages, and proceed with printing or digital distribution.

Top ways to incorporate QR codes for books

QR codes are no longer plain or boring. You can now customize them with your own branding, colors, frames, icons, and other creative design tools to make them stand out. To make your book covers, bookmarks, or promotional materials more effective, they should capture readers’ attention and encourage them to scan. Here are some useful practices to help you design eye-catching and engaging QR codes for books.

1
Include instructions

In the past, many businesses printed QR codes without explaining what consumers would gain by scanning them. Always include a clear message to encourage scanning and ensure your marketing campaign is effective.

2
Personalize your frame

Enhance your QR code by adding creative frames in different colors and designs to make it more eye-catching. After generating your code, choose from a variety of frames with engaging messages. You can also customize it with your own text, icons, or shapes to encourage action.

3
Place a logo on your QR code

Once you’ve customized the frame, shape, and color, you can add your company logo in the center. Our system automatically adjusts the logo size to ensure the QR code remains scannable.

4
Store your designs

Sign up for Divsly to easily reuse saved QR code designs without starting from scratch. Save your designs as templates and use them in future marketing campaigns.

5
Personalized URL

Divsly provides a short, customizable URL for each generated code that redirects to any page you choose. You can update the link anytime to help differentiate yourself from the competition.

6
Preview before printing

For optimal scanning, the minimum recommended size for your QR code is 2 x 2 cm. Avoid making it smaller, but you can increase the size if needed. Test it with different smartphones and apps to ensure accessibility for all users.

Explore QR codes in action for books

If you are still unsure how a Divsly QR code can enhance your books, here are several fictional examples that illustrate what is possible and how different QR code types can be applied across genres and formats. These ideas will help you understand how QR codes can make reading more enjoyable, encourage deeper engagement, and make learning easier for students by linking printed pages to rich digital resources.

Editor icon
Editors

Editorial Q launched a campaign to promote Maria Ines Cortes' book and planned a series of events for readers and fans. On the book’s dust jacket flap, they added a QR code that directed users to the tour schedule, which listed bookstores hosting readings, author interviews, and book signings.

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Educational institutions

The creative writing and illustration department at SC School decided to print a series of children's books created by their fourth-year students as part of an end-of-year project. They showcased these books at the city's children's book fair. To make the experience more exciting, they added a QR code to the book cover. Scanning the code sent children on a treasure hunt: they visited different stands, read short stories, and solved riddles to collect clues.

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Photographers and videographers

After touring various national parks in Europe, a photographer from JHP Photographer published a photo book with a tourism agency that showcased the parks' scenic views and wildlife. At the end of the book, below his biography, he added a business QR code that made it easy for clients to contact his studio by linking directly to his website, where they could find the studio's address, opening hours, contact details, and a link to the photo galleries for all the photographers at the company.

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Software and game developers

In their latest release, Space Heroes launched a game featuring a complete redesign in both creative elements and gameplay. To help fans explore these changes, they included a video QR code in the magazine distributed at the launch event. This allowed readers to scan the code and access behind-the-scenes videos, including storyboards, exclusive filmmaker interviews, historical events that inspired the game, and tutorials.

Tourism icon
Tourism

The tourist office of North City published a book about the city’s historical sites and urban legends. To keep printing costs low, they added an image gallery QR code at the start of each chapter. By scanning the code, readers could view a photo album for each location, zoom in on images, share them on social media, and even download them. A "Visit this site" button gave readers easy access to more details about the locations, guided tours, and opening hours.

Frequently asked questions

QR codes can enhance the reading experience and improve book marketing. How? By offering a richer, more immersive experience for readers with things like audio, videos, images, recipes, and games. This turns reading into a multisensory activity that engages readers in new ways. A QR code is a chance to get creative, expand the reading experience, and boost your book's marketing.

QR codes allow writers to enhance their stories and offer readers a richer experience. They also help build a community by connecting authors with readers through social media, book clubs, or discussion groups. In education, teachers are using QR codes to provide students with interactive readings, multimedia tools, and even online quizzes and games, all accessible by scanning a code in the book.

QR codes on books can help students with visual impairments access information in a more inclusive way. The design of the QR code is adjusted by adding a short Braille message, allowing visually impaired readers to find the code. When scanned, the QR code can link to an audiobook of the work, audio descriptions of images or diagrams, digital Braille versions, or other resources like interactive activities for visually impaired students. This makes your books more accessible and engaging for both children and adults with visual disabilities.

QR codes make books more interactive by allowing readers to scan and instantly access videos, audio clips, author interviews, or dedicated web pages related to the story. This extra content helps readers better connect with the material, deepens their understanding, and makes the overall reading experience more enjoyable. By including QR codes, authors and publishers can create a bridge between printed content and digital resources, inviting readers to learn and engage in new ways.

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