Bulk QR Codes from CSV: Prepare, Verify and Repair a Print Batch
Prepare a clean CSV, generate up to 120 codes per batch, interpret scan reports and retry failed rows without replacing verified images.
Treat a batch as a mapping problem
The difficult part of a batch is usually keeping each image matched to the correct item. A code that scans perfectly but opens another product's page is still wrong. Before generating, define one record per destination and give every record a recognisable filename. Keep the spreadsheet as the source record for the print job.
The bulk generator accepts one text item per line or a UTF-8 CSV with up to 120 records. CSV uploads are limited to 1 MB. Images and the ZIP are created locally; there is no promise that every batch will finish in a particular number of seconds. Long payloads, image size, logos and device performance affect the work.
Prepare three useful columns
data,filename,label
https://example.com/products/mug,mug-care,Scan for mug care
https://example.com/products/bowl,bowl-care,Scan for bowl caredata is the encoded content. filename names the exported image, and label supplies the human-readable print label. Quoted commas and multiline content are supported. Use consistent names such as a product identifier plus purpose, rather than relying only on the row's position.
For example, a label containing a comma should be written as "Care, cleaning and storage". Export spreadsheets as UTF-8 so names with accents survive the round trip. Do not leave formula cells unresolved: inspect the actual exported text, especially URLs assembled from several columns.
Preview before generating the whole batch
- Inspect the import preview. Check the record count and a sample of the destinations. Open representative links separately to check that the right content is accessible.
- Choose a design. A saved design can apply styles, a logo, gradient and frame. Bulk generation uses an automatic border rather than the saved margin.
- Set the caption source. With a frame selected, use a shared caption or each CSV label. Empty labels use the fallback caption. Image captions are limited to 60 characters.
- Choose a format. SVG is useful for print resizing. PNG is useful for documents; JPG cannot preserve transparency. Framed artwork has an opaque background.
- Check a small representative run. Include your longest URL and any non-English text before producing the full set.
Read the scan report as a work list
| Outcome | Meaning | Next action |
|---|---|---|
| passed | The exported image decoded to the supplied content | Check the destination and final print |
| failed | The image was unreadable or decoded differently | Simplify the design or inspect the content |
| unavailable | The scan check could not complete | Retry and test independently |
| error | Image generation failed | Shorten the payload or correct the row |
| cancelled / not-started | The row did not finish processing | Retry unfinished rows if still needed |
The CSV report includes record numbers, filenames and outcomes, not the QR payload. Keep your source CSV separately. A passed scan does not confirm ownership of a website, its safety, or whether its page is live.
Repair a row without starting over
Expand Correct a failed row, select the record, enter replacement content and apply the correction. Then choose Retry failed / unfinished rows. Verified images are retained, original filenames stay associated with their records, and the ZIP and report are updated. Corrections affect the batch in memory; update your source spreadsheet separately.
Cancellation keeps completed images available in a partial ZIP. Download that work before changing the main generation settings, because those changes clear the current batch. If a design needs a global change, begin a new batch so every item uses consistent settings.
Finish with a print proof
Use physical-size guidance for the densest item and print representative labels at full size. Check that both the QR destination and its human-readable caption match the product. Keep the clear border intact when placing artwork in a layout. DENSO WAVE's print-area reference explains the four-module border.