Since outdated, manual check-in methods often result in these frustrating delays, generating QR codes and using a QR code scanner to speed up admission is a smart way to improve the attendee experience.
Meg Breithaupt
August 05, 2026
If there’s one thing that sets guests up for a negative event experience, it's a long line for entry. Since outdated, manual check-in methods often result in these frustrating delays, generating QR codes and using a QR code scanner to speed up admission is a smart way to improve the attendee experience. Even before event day, QR codes are an excellent tool for directing potential attendees to your event registration form, simplifying the sign-up process.
In this guide, we walk through how to create a QR code for event registration and showcase how powerful features like EventCreate’s built-in QR ticketing system help streamline check-ins without blowing your budget.
A QR code (Quick Response code) is a two-dimensional barcode that stores information in a square grid. Scanning QR codes with a smartphone camera, QR code reader, or other compatible device gives quick access to its encoded data.
As an event organizer, you can create custom QR codes for use in a variety of contexts, such as:
Marketing: Include a QR code on a bus bench ad that directs potential attendees to marketing materials like your event landing page.
Event registration: Put a QR code in an email invitation so customers can sign up to attend.
Check-in: Integrate a QR code on event tickets to scan for entry at the door.
On-site information: Use QR codes to provide digital event information, such as the event schedule or program.
Networking: Make a QR code as a replacement for paper business cards.
Exclusive access: Create QR codes to verify attendees have proper access to a VIP section.
QR codes make it easy to sign up for events—all your customers need to do is scan them to connect to your custom registration form. Beyond streamlining event registration, these convenient codes offer several additional advantages.
Using QR codes to register attendees helps reduce data entry errors and ensures you capture necessary attendee details.
Linking directly to event registration platforms and CRM (customer relationship management) systems with QR codes simplifies data collection and attendee management.
Connecting to custom landing pages, agendas, or event updates is easy with QR codes. You can even update them to redirect to new pages if event details change.
Placing the same QR code in emails and on social media, event posters, and websites is a cost-effective way to direct customers to your registration form.
QR codes do more than direct ticket buyers to registration forms—they can also provide event attendees with personalized tickets, which they can scan at the gate to simplify check-in.
QR-coded tickets eliminate the need for attendees to sign in manually, getting everyone through the door faster and reducing lines at entry points. For even more efficiency, you can set up self-check-in kiosks, cutting back on how many admissions team members you need.
QR codes are also helpful during multi-session events. They allow attendees to scan their codes at different checkpoints, enabling access to prepaid workshops or VIP areas.
In addition to simplifying the check-in process, QR codes offer several benefits for event organizers:
No ID checks: QR codes prevent the need for physical ID verification, as every attendee has a personalized code.
Paperless and eco-friendly: QR-coded event tickets reduce the need for paper tickets, promoting a green, contactless event experience and making life easier for attendees who don’t own a printer.
No typos or manual data entry errors: QR codes are linked to preregistered attendee data, ensuring accuracy.
Enhanced security and fraud prevention: Unique QR codes guarantee each ticket is assigned to only one person, preventing duplication or counterfeiting. Codes can even include encrypted data for added security.
Integrations with event management systems (EMS): When linked with EMS, scanned QR codes automatically update databases for badge printing, meal tracking, or VIP access.
Real-time check-in tracking: QR codes allow event organizers to track who checked in and when, improving crowd management. QR codes also enable session attendance monitoring if they're scanned at different session entry points.
By using the following six steps to create a QR code for event registration, you ensure a smooth and seamless experience as soon as potential attendees scan the code.
Before generating a QR code, you must create a registration page that attendees will arrive at after scanning the code. The registration page can be as simple as a Google Form or as complex as a custom event page on your website. Make sure it collects core attendee information like name, email, and phone number.
With EventCreate, you can design a custom registration form that supports event marketing in just minutes. Choose from pre-built fields or add unique questions to capture essential details.
In the EventCreate event registration platform, click the “Share” or “Copy link” button to ensure the link is public and attendees can access it without permission issues.
Now, scroll down to see code recommendations, paste the registration link into the code generator, and customize as desired. EventCreate lets you add your logo and change the QR code color.
Before going live and rolling out the QR code and registration link to potential ticket buyers, give it a quick test. Scan the code on different iPhone and Android devices, confirming that it leads to your registration page on both types of mobile devices.
Your event registration QR code is ready to go!
To attract potential attendees, place it on:
Event posters and flyers
Emails and newsletters
Social media profiles
There are several great tools available for generating QR codes to simplify the event registration process, each with its own pros and cons.
EventCreate is an all-in-one event management platform. Every ticket sold via EventCreate comes with a personal QR code. You also get access to our free event check-in app, which allows you to quickly scan attendee tickets, reducing long lines and manual errors.
Our comprehensive event planning and management solution includes additional helpful features like:
Event badge printing
This tool is a great all-purpose QR code generator. It offers a usable free version for basic QR code generation, but its paid version opens more advanced features like tracking and analytics.
A standout feature of QR Code Generator is its ability to design branded QR codes with your logo integrated. A significant downside of this option is that advanced features like dynamic QR codes are only available with a paid plan.
QR Code Monkey is a free tool for generating QR codes that supports dynamic QR codes, allowing you to edit the destination after creation. This means you can perform actions like changing the event registration page once you reach capacity.
However, being a free tool, QR Code Monkey doesn’t offer advanced features like tracking functionality.
Flowcode is a more advanced QR code generator that offers features that may suit large-scale conference and corporate event organizers, such as:
Real-time tracking and analytics
Bulk QR code creation for large events
Mobile-optimized landing pages
Support for short URLs
An API to connect Flowcode to your existing tech stack
It's worth noting, however, that Flowcode is a complex platform with a steep learning curve. It may be overkill for smaller and simpler events.
Whether you’re planning a fundraising event, corporate conference, or festival, QR codes are an essential tool for improving event registration and on-site check-in processes. By streamlining sign-ups, reducing wait times, and eliminating manual errors, they create a smoother experience for both organizers and attendees.
EventCreate simplifies the QR code creation process by automatically generating and adding personalized codes to each ticket sold via the platform. Plus, our free QR code scanning app helps you get guests through the door without delay, minimizing queues.
Highly-rated and thousands of reviews worldwide, EventCreate is independently ranked a top event management platform.
