Non-tech savvy person needs simple QR "how to"

[Shar-Ken]

I design mostly greeting cards and postcards.  I still have not figured out how to add the QR code to my designs.  I go to "elements" on the design page and click add QR Code.  When a box comes up, I add the zazzle.com info along with "/store/my store name.com" in the box.  A QR code appears.  But in the preview and finished product it then shows 2 QR codes and I cannot remove the one that seems to appear automatically.    Also, on the right side of the design page. some boxes appear that look like I should be putting some info  in them but I have already added the info in the box that came up when I checked QR code in the elements section on left side.  I am not sure what I am supposed to do.  Remember, I am non-techy.  But I would like to learn.   

[idraw]

@Shar-Ken 

Start here:

<https://community.zazzle.com/t5/creator-news/new-feature-add-a-qr-code-to-your-creations/ba-p/30124>
then read the  over 47 replies for any tips there might be.

creative design also posted a link to a video that might help you.

<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dnTLwlXYJJs>

[Shar-Ken]

@idraw it takes time to stop and try to assist fellow Zazzlers.  I thank you for doing so, even though the videos did not really address my particular issue.  My guess is I am making something simple into something hard due to my lack of knowledge.   

[idraw]

@Shar-Ken 

I watched the video as if I were you, and here’s what might be where the code is giving you fits. Try this. After you create your QR code, the QR code that is already there could be a QR TEMPLATE that you should be able to remove/DELETE (tiny trash an to left) and then move your QR code into that location. (according to the video) then finish by clicking done.

[Shar-Ken]

After I add the QR code in design areaWhen I go to Preview, this is what shows --

[idraw]

@Shar-Ken 

uploaging the screenshots helps. So, it looks like the left one is the zazzle one. And, at a guess to solve the problem, (if you still want to do this), try moving your QR code to the left of the zazzle one. That is, if it’s possible to move it after you add it.

[Shar-Ken]

@idraw,  the QR code that do from the left side in the elements can be moved all around the card but the other QR code stays affixed permanently where I try to add mine.  I may just have to forget about trying to do the QR code.  Very frustrating.  To me, it seems the instructions in design mode are not all that clear.  Sort of like asking for directions when driving in a new town.  The person giving the directions lives there and does it all the time and unintentionally leaves out a few steps that makes all the difference, resulting in still being lost.  You have been most generous in your attempts to help me.  Thanks, idraw.

[Shar-Ken]

@idraw,  Just tried to upload images. (see below) of what I am verbally trying to explain.  I do not see a tiny trash can to the left, by the way.    

[CreativeLeahG]

Video tutorial here

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dnTLwlXYJJs

[Shar-Ken]

@CreativeLeahG, your taking time to try to assist is much appreciated.  I have watched the video but it is not addressing the issue with which I am struggling. I have looked for info in the Zazzle help section, here in the forums and just playing around with things myself, hoping to discover the answer.  I am just wanting to put a QR code with my zazzle store info on the back of my postcards by going to elements in the design area.  My reply above to @Cat tries to explain it better.   But thank you so much for chiming in.  I think part of my problem is just trying to explain clearly what I am wanting to do.  When you don't know what you are doing, it is hard to explain it to others.

[Cat]

I'm thinking maybe you've got the Zazzle attribution QR code mixed up with the QR codes that you can add to your design. I'm not sure which product you're referring to, but if a QR code appears automatically, that's an attribution QR code that points back to your store on Zazzle - you don't need to add it to the design, it shows up unless you turn it off (and if you do turn it off, it makes the product a few pennies more expensive for the customer.)

I suppose you could use the feature to add an attribution QR Code to a product that doesn't automatically have one put there by Zazzle, or to control where it goes, it never occurred to me to use it that way. I'm using them for customers to add their own QR code - like if they want to direct their guests to their wedding website, or want their business card to have a QR code for their website or something like that. 

[Shar-Ken]

@Cat, when I hit "reply" to YOUR reply, it showed I accepted it as a solution which I did not mean to do.  I thank you so much for your input, though.  I, too, am not sure which we are talking about here.  When I go to design  a postcard's backside, I click on "elements", choose the QR code, then a box opens as if for text.  I assume that is where I am supposed to add what I want in the QRcode, which is my store's url here at zazzle.  After doing that, a QR code appears and I place it in the lower right hand corner which is empty.  But when I go to Preview and check it out, it now shows that a QR code was already there and my added one in beside it.  I do not understand why if there is already a QR code with all my store's info that I would be asked if I want to add a QRcode.  If I then delete the one I just did, then there is now none.   Also over on the right side of the design page where templates are noted, there appears boxes for QR code info but I did that when I was in the elements area.  Obviously, I am very confused about this.

[Sandra-]

Hi @Shar-Ken  there is no need to add a QR code to your store on the back of postcards and greetings cards as this is added automatically when you post these products for sale. There is an option to turn off this QR code as you post for sale if you so wish via the Product Merchandising then select Change options and check the box to remove independent designer credit. However if you wish to display the designer credit keep this box unchecked.

There is no need to add another QR code via the elements option. This is a completely separate option for the convenience of customers whereby we can add a QR code as part of our design, for instance on a wedding RSVP or a business card, by adding a sample url, which brings up the sample QR code. When a customer changes the sample url to their own, their QR code is automatically generated leading to their own wedding website or business website etc and replaces the sample QR code.

Hoping this makes sense.

[Shar-Ken]

@Sandra,  I somehow overlooked your reply and went to the next one so my answer will seem strange and out of order.  I remember reading that about no need to add the QR code via the elements option but when I do choose to add it and I go to Preview and on to Sell It, there will not appear any QR code.  That is why I started to add them in the first place.  I was confused because as you noted above, supposedly there is no need to do it, that it is automatic.  But it does not appear on my finished cards.  So, do I choose to ADD my own/zazzle's QR code in the product merchandising options?  When I neither add QRcode in the elements design area not change anything in the  Product Merchandising section this is what I get: no QR code at all (so I just print my info as seen in photo below)

Thanks for all the info, Sandra.  I might try a few more attempts.   

[Sara_H]

@Shar-Ken on the example above - check whether you have checked the attribution checkbox on the product page as that removes the bar code

to change the attribution after posting for sale (eg removing it or applying it) -edit details - product merchandising - change options - attribution - click checkbox to remove - uncheck to have qr code visible - press ok then done

[Shar-Ken]

@sara, thank you Sara!

[Sandra-]

Hi @Shar-Ken no problem 😊 I took a look at a few of your postcards in your stores and noticed that the box to remove the independent designer credit had been checked on all of the ones I looked at, therefore the QR code to your store will not show up as per top example below:

 When you leave the box unchecked, as per the second example, your QR code will appear.  However, if you want to have your QR code appear on those you have on sale already, you will need to uncheck the box for each via the Edit option on the product page, then choose Product Merchandising/Change Options then uncheck the box and save. Hoping this is of help.

[Shar-Ken · Accepted solution]

Finally!  After trying various things in an effort to solve my problem, I  have discovered that the secret to getting rid of the extra QR Code was to go ahead and publish the card as is with the two QR Codes, then on the Sell It page, check the box that says Remove Independent creator content.  That immediately removed the extra QR code.  The choice seems to be  no attribution or a card that will show not one but 2 QR Codes since the extra which shows up in the preview while designing as well as when posting for sale (which no one would want).  Anyway, guess persistence paid off.  Thanks everyone.

[Sandra-]

That’s great @Shar-Ken however should the customer try to remove the QR code you have manually added by checking the Remove Independent Creator Credit box they may be frustrated as to why the code remains, or should they uncheck it to save a little on the price they will then see the two codes which may lead to confusion.

[Shar-Ken]

@Sandra, that is a good point.  As I said to Cat above, I want to say how appreciative I am of the time you have spent trying to help me with this confusing issue (confusing to me, that is).  You both deserve many kudos!

[Sandra-]

You’re very welcome 😊

[Shar-Ken]

I noted at the top of page that I finally found the solution to my QR Code problem.  However, I later discovered that even though checking the box (just prior to the page where we fill out all the sale info) to remove independent creator content, the final product when posting is done, actually shows the card WITH the zazzle QR code. That is good.  Just do not quite understand how we got there!  I did not want to mislead others by not sharing the new additional findings on this matter.  We have about beaten this horse to death--time to move on.

[Cat]

Which postcard blank are you starting with? The Zazzle attribution QR code seems to be visible by default on regular postcards, holiday postcards, and foil postcards (both foil holiday and foil invitation postcards.)

https://www.zazzle.com/pd/spp/pt-zazzle_postcard2
https://www.zazzle.com/pd/spp/pt-zazzle_holidaypostcard
https://www.zazzle.com/pd/spp/pt-zazzle_foilholidaypostcard
https://www.zazzle.com/pd/spp/pt-zazzle_foilinvitationpostcard

However, if you're using one of the older postcard blanks - the invitation postcard or the announcement postcard, there is no attribution option:
https://www.zazzle.com/pd/spp/pt-zazzle_invitationpostcard
https://www.zazzle.com/pd/spp/pt-zazzle_announcementpostcard

Perhaps that's part of the confusion? I've never seen the behavior you're describing where the attribution comes and goes depending on something you place in the design.

[Shar-Ken]

@Cat, I almost always use the postcard that is in the Home, Sports and Games.  It shows the box to check as to what to do about the attribution.  h last postcard I did, after the designing was DONE and I was at the SELL IT page, it showed the back with two QR codes but when I unchecked the box for attribution, the second code disappeared.  That is what made me assume that I had finally found the solution--but why I also noted that I do not know how I got there.   Just glad it got rid of the double QR code.  I think I am still confused!  Just have to thank you for all the time you have spent in the effort to assist me!