Creating QR Codes one by one just doesn’t cut it when you’re managing product packaging, event check-ins, retail signage, or direct mail at scale. Manually generating codes slows down your workflow and opens the door to human error, especially when dealing with multiple QR Codes tied to hundreds of SKUs, campaign variants, or store-specific URLs.
With Bitly’s bulk QR code generator, you can create QR Codes in bulk using a CSV file or through our API, and easily customize them with your brand’s background color, logo, frame, filename, and format preferences (like PNG, SVG, or JPEG). Whether you need Dynamic QR Codes that allow real-time destination URL updates or static QR Codes for simple use cases, Bitly streamlines your creation process, no matter the number of QR Codes you need.
Note: The brands and examples discussed below were found during our online research for this article.
What bulk QR Code creation means (and who needs it)
If you understand how to make a QR Code, you can likely see how powerful it can be to automate and scale up this ability. Bulk QR Code creation allows you to generate hundreds or thousands of scannable codes at once, each linked to a different destination URL and branded to your specs. If you’re not interested in creating QR Codes manually, our platform lets you upload a CSV file (or connect through the Bitly API) to instantly produce a batch of QR Codes, complete with tracking, tags, and analytics integration.
This functionality is a game-changer for teams across industries, including:
- Retailers printing QR Codes for SKUs, where each product needs a unique link for inventory tracking, post-purchase support, or compliance content. For example, each Walmart store manages about 140,000 SKUs each day.
- Event teams rolling out signage across multiple venues, each pointing to different check-in pages or sponsorship info.
- Manufacturers assigning unique QR Codes to batches of products, enabling real-time traceability, inventory tracking, and compliance with food safety or pharmaceutical regulations.
Step 1: Organize your destination URLs
The process starts with a clear spreadsheet. This spreadsheet is the foundation of your bulk QR Code project. First, download our template CSV file.
You’ll see that the file contains the following columns:
- Long URL
- Title
- UTM Source
- UTM Medium
- UTM Campaign
- UTM Term
- UTM Content
You are only required to add content to the Long URL column, but it’s advisable to make use of the Title column as well, since proper titles will make your QR Codes easier to manage. The other columns allow you to include information for Bitly UTM parameters, which can be useful when tracking advanced referral analytics.
If you don’t use one or more of these fields, clear the sample content that exists in the template, while leaving the column headers unchanged. When you’re done, save your spreadsheet as a .csv or .xlsx file.
Step 2: Use Bitly’s bulk QR Code creation feature
Once your spreadsheet is ready, import it into Bitly to generate the image files you require.
- Log in to your Bitly account.
- Select Create new and select QR Code.
- Select Bulk upload.
- Drag and drop your file into the field or select Browse files to select it from your device.
- Choose a custom QR Code design, including logo, colors, and frame. You can also create a new QR Code template specific to your brand or use case.
- Select Submit file.
- Check your email inbox for an update on your upload. Depending on the size of your file, it could take from minutes to hours to process your Codes.
- Click or tap the link in the email to view your new QR Codes in Bitly.
Step 3: Apply tags for organization and filtering
Tags help keep your QR Code strategy clean and searchable, especially when managing large-scale initiatives across teams or timelines. Bitly allows you to apply custom tags to the short links behind your QR Codes so you can filter, sort, and analyze performance efficiently.
- A beauty brand might use tags like summer-glow, skincare-2025, or influencer-campaign to group content by type.
- A B2B tech company could organize codes by event (CES2025, Webinar-Series) and channel (email, print).
- A nonprofit running multiple fundraising campaigns may tag QR Codes by campaign name (spring-raffle, donor-drive), location (nyc-event, west-coast), or purpose (donation-form, volunteer-signup).
Using a consistent tagging structure gives your team full control over analytics, campaign management, and future optimizations.
Step 4: Export or download your QR Codes
After generating and customizing your QR Codes, you’ll need to export them for use across print and digital materials. Bitly allows both single and bulk downloads, and supports common formats like PNG, SVG, and JPEG with clean filenames and scannable designs.
For example:
- A subscription box service could download unique QR Codes for each insert, linking to surprise reveals or renewal offers.
- A real estate agency could print scannable codes for property signage, directing prospects to digital listings.
Whether you’re printing on business cards, flyers, or product labels, Bitly ensures your files are export-ready and easy to manage.
Step 5: Test your QR Codes before deploying
Before you roll out your campaign, test each type of QR Code to ensure it works perfectly across devices and environments. Scan using a mobile device, validate the URL destination, and print a few physical samples to check sizing, pixels, and contrast.
For example:
- A conference organizer could test signage near entrances and badges in the main hall to make sure check-in QR Codes scan under different lighting conditions.
- A consumer electronics brand can run pre-boxing spot checks on packaging to ensure codes link to the correct product manuals.
Testing helps catch errors early and ensures a smooth user experience from scan to site, no matter the number of QR Codes in play.
Tips for optimizing engagement performance with Bitly Analytics
Bitly Analytics makes every QR Code smarter by tracking scan counts, device types, geographic trends, and more in real time. With this data, you can fine-tune your marketing strategy and maximize impact, especially when managing multiple QR Codes across channels. Here are key tips for getting the most from your analytics:
- Compare by campaign or channel: Use tags to group QR Codes by region, campaign, or media type (e.g., digital vs. print) and compare performance side by side.
- Track device trends: Bitly shows whether users scanned via iOS or Android, helping you optimize your landing pages and app offerings for device compatibility.
- Monitor underperforming codes: Spot codes with low engagement and tweak the template, background color, or call-to-action (CTA).
- Refine placement: Compare scans across locations like billboards, product packaging, or business cards to understand where your audience responds best.
Every scan is a signal. Use Bitly Analytics to turn those signals into smarter decisions and manage QR Codes in bulk.
Common use cases: How brands use bulk QR Codes
Understanding how to get a QR Code for a website is just the beginning. Bulk QR Code creation is essential for brands running high-volume, multi-location, or versioned campaigns. With Bitly, teams not only create QR Codes in batches; they also track every scan for smarter engagement. Common use cases include:
- Multi-store coupon campaigns, where each store location gets a unique, trackable QR Code.
- Product inserts by batch number, ensuring every unit links to the correct landing page or explainer video.
- Direct mail CTAs, with different QR Code images for each household segment or zip code.
- In-person event signage, using scannable QR Codes for specific booths, speaker bios, or promotions.
- Retail shelf tags, where each SKU gets its own dynamic QR Code tied to current inventory or promo data.
- Fundraising campaigns, assigning custom QR Codes to each volunteer, flyer, or region for transparent tracking.
By combining bulk QR Code generation with built-in analytics, Bitly helps brands deliver authentic content, optimize conversion rates, and drive consistent results at scale.
Make QR Code campaigns easier with Bitly
Managing high volumes of QR Codes doesn’t have to be messy. Bulk QR Code generation is all about speed, scale, and control. Instead of manually creating QR Codes one by one, you can generate hundreds or thousands at once, each linking to a unique URL, embedded with tracking, and branded to match your visual identity.
With Bitly, you can create QR Codes in bulk, apply consistent branding, organize with tags, and track engagement, all from one intuitive menu. Whether you’re working from a CSV file, customizing with templates, or syncing via the API, Bitly helps you streamline every step of your QR Code workflow.
Ready to scale your scans the smarter way? Sign up with Bitly today to find the right fit for your team and simplify your next bulk QR Code campaign.
