Campus Marketing: Posters & Flyers with QR‑Powered Short Links (Complete 2026 Playbook)

Campus marketing still wins on foot traffic. The fastest way to convert that foot traffic into measurable action is a printed call‑to‑action (CTA) paired with a scannable QR code that resolves to a short, branded URL. Done right, this bridge from the physical world to the mobile web is fast to deploy, easy to manage, and—most importantly—trackable in detail.

This playbook covers strategy, design, production, deployment, analytics, A/B testing, and compliance. It’s written for student affairs, clubs, departments, libraries, career services, housing, dining, athletics, and campus marketers of all sizes. Examples use a modern short‑link stack (e.g., Shorten World) but apply to any robust shortener.

TL;DR (What You’ll Be Able to Do After This Guide)

Plan a poster/flyer campaign that maps goals → placements → QR short links → metrics.
Design print that actually gets scanned (size, contrast, quiet zone, placement, CTA copy).
Generate hundreds of QR‑powered short links at once via CSV, with clean UTM tags.
Route scanners by device, time, or location using dynamic links.
Track scan‑through rate and downstream conversions, not just “clicks”.
Run A/B tests on creative, copy, or destinations and read the results with confidence.
Keep everything compliant with accessibility, brand policy, and student privacy (FERPA‑aware).

Why Use QR‑Powered Short Links on Campus?

1) They compress friction. Posters and flyers are static; QR codes are the tap that turns static into interactive. A scan jumps students straight into RSVP forms, event pages, menus, maps, or apps—no typing.

2) They make print measurable. Short links carry UTM parameters and unique slugs by building, floor, or board. You can compare locations, hours, and creative variants.

3) They’re easy to maintain. Dynamic destinations mean you can rotate content, fix a typo, or pause a link without reprinting.

4) They scale. Bulk CSV + templates let you generate 50–5,000 posters with consistent tracking and naming.

5) They brand trust. A clean, memorable short domain looks official and reduces phishing risk.

How QR‑Enabled Posters/Flyers Work (The Flow)

Short Link Creation → Create a branded short link for each placement (e.g., go.midtown.edu/clubfair‑B1), with UTM tags (utm_source=poster, utm_medium=print, utm_campaign=club_fair, utm_content=B1).
QR Code Generation → Render a QR for the short URL, not the long destination. Shorter = denser error correction and faster scan.
Print & Place → Follow size and contrast rules; position for eye‑level scanning; label with a clear CTA.
Scan & Resolve → QR opens the short link; the shortener logs the scan and forwards to the destination. Dynamic logic can route by device, time, or geo.
Measure & Optimize → Read the dashboard: scans, unique scanners, device mix, top placements, time of day, conversion events on the landing page.

Strategy by Campus Goal (Playbooks)

Below are practical, copy‑ready playbooks for common campus objectives. Each playbook lists: Primary CTA, Destination Idea, Short‑Link/QR Setup, UTM Template, Placement Tips, and Key Metrics.

1) New Student Orientation (NSO)

Primary CTA: “Check in & get your schedule.”
Destination: Mobile schedule hub with personalized tracks and map embeds.
Short‑Link/QR: go.midtown.edu/nso‑{hall}{floor} (dynamic destination by date/time).
UTM Template: utm_source=poster&utm_medium=print&utm_campaign=nso&utm_content={hall}{floor}
Placement Tips: Residence hall lobbies, dining hall entrances, orientation help desks, shuttle stops.
Key Metrics: Scan‑through rate (STR), schedule opens, map opens, session attendance.

2) Club & Org Recruitment

Primary CTA: “Join the interest list.”
Destination: Simple, mobile‑first form (name, email/phone opt‑in); auto‑reply with next meeting.
Short‑Link/QR: go.midtown.edu/{club}-join per club; variant per building.
UTM Template: utm_source=poster&utm_medium=print&utm_campaign=club_recruit&utm_content={club}_{building}
Placement Tips: Student center, popular lecture halls, gym entrances.
Key Metrics: New sign‑ups per day, % confirmed opt‑in, meeting attendance.

3) Events (Talks, Films, Hackathons)

Primary CTA: “RSVP in 10 seconds.”
Destination: Event page with calendar add, ticket/waitlist, map.
Short‑Link/QR: go.midtown.edu/{event}-rsvp; A/B test creative across buildings.
UTM Template: utm_source=poster&utm_medium=print&utm_campaign={event}&utm_content={building}
Placement Tips: Paths of travel near the host venue; 7–10 days out + day‑of arrows.
Key Metrics: RSVPs, add‑to‑calendar, check‑ins, show rate.

4) Career Services & Fairs

Primary CTA: “Book a resume review.” / “Get the employer list.”
Destination: Appointments page or live fair guide with filters.
Short‑Link/QR: go.midtown.edu/career‑{service} (e.g., career-review, career-fair).
UTM Template: utm_source=poster&utm_medium=print&utm_campaign=career_services&utm_content={building}
Placement Tips: Library, business school, STEM buildings; elevator banks.
Key Metrics: Booked appointments, fair scans by hour, employer booth clicks.

5) Dining & Housing

Primary CTA: “This week’s menu.” / “Submit a maintenance request.”
Destination: Menu microsite; housing ticket portal.
Short‑Link/QR: go.midtown.edu/menu‑{dininghall}, go.midtown.edu/housing‑workorder.
UTM Template: utm_source=poster&utm_medium=print&utm_campaign=dining_housing&utm_content={site}
Placement Tips: Entrances, tray returns, laundry rooms, mailrooms.
Key Metrics: Menu views, allergen filter usage, request submissions.

6) Library & Academic Support

Primary CTA: “Book a study room.” / “Find your subject librarian.”
Destination: Reservation system; librarian directory.
Short‑Link/QR: go.midtown.edu/study‑rooms, go.midtown.edu/ask‑librarian.
UTM Template: utm_source=poster&utm_medium=print&utm_campaign=library_services&utm_content={floor}
Placement Tips: Floor directories, printer clusters, help desk.
Key Metrics: Bookings, questions submitted, wait times.

7) Health, Safety & Counseling

Primary CTA: “After‑hours urgent help.” / “Confidential counseling.”
Destination: Mobile crisis options page; same‑day counseling slots.
Short‑Link/QR: go.midtown.edu/help‑now, go.midtown.edu/counseling (no personal data in UTM).
UTM Template: Keep minimal, e.g., utm_source=poster&utm_medium=print&utm_campaign=health_safety.
Placement Tips: Residence halls, RA bulletin boards, bathroom stalls.
Key Metrics: Page opens; calls initiated from page; appointment bookings.

8) Athletics & Spirit

Primary CTA: “Claim your student ticket.” / “Join the fan club.”
Destination: Ticket portal; fan newsletter signup.
Short‑Link/QR: go.midtown.edu/tickets, go.midtown.edu/fan.
UTM Template: utm_source=poster&utm_medium=print&utm_campaign=athletics&utm_content={venue}
Placement Tips: Gyms, rec centers, dorm exits toward fields.
Key Metrics: Ticket claims, newsletter signups, attendance uplift.

Design That Gets Scanned (Specs & Patterns)

Poster Sizes: A4 (8.3×11.7"), A3 (11.7×16.5"), A2 (16.5×23.4"), Tabloid (11×17"). For crowded boards, A4 works; for corridors, A3/A2 performs better.

QR Size Rule: Minimum printed QR edge ≥ 2.5 cm (1") for arm‑length scans. For distance scanning, use D/10 (QR edge ≈ viewing distance / 10). Example: 2 m away → 20 cm QR.

Quiet Zone: Keep a blank margin around the QR (≥ 4 modules). Do not place logos or text inside.

Contrast: Dark code on light background. Avoid low‑contrast palettes and glossy lamination that causes glare.

Error Correction: Use M for general posters, Q/H for outdoor or scuffed surfaces.

Placement in Layout: Put the QR in the lower‑right or center‑bottom with a big, explicit CTA and a short backup URL in text.

Copy Above QR:

“Scan for the schedule.”
“RSVP in 10 seconds.”
“Join the list—no spam.”

Backup Short URL (Human‑Readable): Always print go.midtown.edu/nso under the QR for accessibility and edge cases.

Type & Hierarchy: One headline, one subhead, one action. Use 3–5 typographic sizes max. Keep the poster scannable at a glance.

Icons & Arrows: A simple arrow or “camera icon” near the QR lifts scans. Avoid clutter.

Lighting & Eye‑Level: Place at 1.4–1.6 m (4.5–5.25 ft) centerline; avoid poor lighting and moving doors.

Accessibility: High contrast text; readable fonts; provide a short URL for screen reader handoffs.

Template System: Make a base InDesign/Canva/Figma template with locked styles for headline, body, CTA, QR block, and the backup short URL. Enforce brand colors and clear space.

Short‑Link Strategy (Domains, Slugs, Routing)

Branded Domain: Use a trusted, short domain (e.g., go.school.edu). Keeps phishing risk low and recognition high.

Slug Conventions: Keep slugs semantic and short: nso, clubfair, menu‑north, careers‑appts. For placement‑level attribution, add suffixes like ‑B1, ‑Lib3, ‑GymE. Example: go.midtown.edu/clubfair‑Lib3.

Campaign Names: Mirror in UTM utm_campaign=club_fair_fall25 for clean reporting.

Dynamic Destinations:

By Time: Before the event → RSVP page; during → map; after → photo album or recap.
By Device: iOS → App Store; Android → Play; desktop → event site.
By Geo: Route on‑campus vs off‑campus differently.

Expirations & Safety: Set link expirations for short‑lived campaigns; redirect expired links to a safe evergreen page.

Deep Links: If you have a mobile app, use Universal Links/App Links with web fallbacks.

Language: Use Accept‑Language or self‑select pages to localize.

Governance: Assign owners and roles (RBAC). Protect mission‑critical slugs from accidental edits. Use audit logs.

UTM & Tracking (Clean and Consistent)

Consistent UTM tagging turns scans into analytics that compare locations, creatives, and time windows.

Baseline Template

utm_source=poster
utm_medium=print
utm_campaign={campaign}
utm_content={building_or_variant}

Examples

go.midtown.edu/nso-Lib1?utm_source=poster&utm_medium=print&utm_campaign=nso_fall25&utm_content=Lib1
go.midtown.edu/clubfair‑B1?utm_source=poster&utm_medium=print&utm_campaign=club_fair_fall25&utm_content=B1

Custom Dimensions

utm_term can carry week number (wk2) or creative (bold‑blue).
For privacy, avoid embedding room numbers tied to residents or any personal identifiers.

Landing Page Events

Track rsvp_submit, add_to_calendar, get_directions, join_list, download_app with an analytics tool that honors privacy settings.

Key Derived Metrics

Scan‑Through Rate (STR): Scans ÷ Estimated exposures.
Print‑to‑Action Rate: Desired event (e.g., RSVP) ÷ Scans.
Cost Per Scan (CPS): Print + labor ÷ Scans.
Cost Per Action (CPA): Total cost ÷ Completed action (e.g., RSVP).

QR Code Best Practices (That Actually Matter)

Always encode the short URL, not the long one. Smaller code = faster, more reliable scans.
Respect the quiet zone. At least 4 modules of padding; don’t frame it tightly with borders.
Size for distance. Use D/10 for rough planning; oversize if in motion areas (stairs, doors).
High contrast only. Dark code, light background. Avoid low‑contrast blues/greens.
Error correction fit. M for indoors; Q/H for outdoors or textured surfaces.
Test on real paper. Print at 100% on the target stock; test with multiple phones under bad lighting.
Avoid glossy glare. Matte or satin stocks improve scan reliability.
Don’t invert the code. White on dark performs worse and fails on some cameras.
Logo usage carefully. If inserting a logo, keep it small and use higher error correction.
Show the short URL below. Helps those who can’t or won’t scan.

Production & Printing (Stocks, Finishes, Durability)

Paper Weights: 80–100 lb text for flyers; 80–100 lb cover for posters. For outdoor boards, use heavier cover or laminated prints.

Finishes: Matte or satin. Reserve gloss for indoor, even lighting.

Ink & Color: CMYK with high contrast around the QR. Avoid fine textures behind the code.

Bleed & Margins: 0.125" bleed; 0.25–0.5" safe margins. Keep quiet zone inside safe margin.

Adhesives: Use removable tape or command strips where allowed. Avoid damaging surfaces—respect facilities policy.

Weatherproofing: For outdoor boards, use laminated or synthetic paper; protect edges from peeling.

Reprints: Keep a master file with embedded link IDs and version numbers (v1, v2). Update only the destination for minor changes.

Placement Tactics (Where Posters Work Hardest)

High Dwell: Laundry rooms, study nooks, printer stations, lounges.
Path of Travel: Building exits toward dining/athletics, shuttle stops.
Queue Lines: Cafeteria entrances, ticket lines, campus store.
Contextual: Tech workshops → CS buildings; mindfulness events → rec center and counseling areas.
Board Hygiene: Remove outdated flyers; avoid visual clutter; place at eye height.
Wayfinding Series: Use sequences: “1/3 → 2/3 → 3/3” with arrows and a consistent QR CTA.

Operations at Scale (Teams, Timelines, Checklists)

Roles

Campaign Lead: Brief, goals, approvals, timeline, budget.
Designer: Templates, brand compliance, final art.
Link Manager: Short links, QR generation, UTMs, dynamic rules.
Field Team: Print, distribution, maintenance, swaps.
Analyst: Dashboards, A/B tests, insights, recap.

Timeline (Example for a 3‑Week Push)

T‑21 to T‑14: Brief, destination pages built, templates selected.
T‑13 to T‑10: Short links + UTMs + QR generated. Pilot prints and testing.
T‑9 to T‑7: Full print run; approvals; placement map finalized.
T‑6 to T‑1: Installations; QA scans; dashboard checks; A/B tags verified.
T0 (Launch): Monitor scans hourly on day 1; fix any routing issues.
T+1 to T+14: Optimize creative/destinations; run swaps; post daily notes.
T+15: Debrief; archive creative; roll insights into templates.

Distribution Checklist

Print proofs checked at 100% size.
Short URL printed under each QR; destination live.
UTM tags validated; test scans recorded.
Placement list with unique slug suffixes prepared.
Install height and tape policy confirmed with facilities.
Photos of each poster for audit (include location tag).
Maintenance schedule (replace torn/covered posters weekly).

A/B Testing on Campus (Simple, Robust, Interpretable)

What to Test

Headline (“Free Pizza + Coding” vs “Build a Web App in 3 Hours”).
CTA (“RSVP in 10s” vs “Claim a Seat”).
QR framing (arrow vs no arrow), color accents, background image vs solid.
Destination page (RSVP form top vs event info top).

How to Structure

Geographic Split: Building A gets Variant A; Building B gets Variant B.
Temporal Split: Week 1 = A; Week 2 = B (if long run).
Even Counts: Similar traffic areas; swap if foot traffic changes.

Sample Size & Duration

Target ≥ 200 scans per variant for a directional read; ≥ 500 per variant for stronger confidence.

Avoid Contamination

Don’t place A and B side‑by‑side on the same board.

Measure

Primary = scan rate and RSVP rate. Secondary = time on page, add‑to‑calendar.

Decision Rule

If Variant B improves RSVP rate by ≥ 10% with similar scan volume, adopt B.

Analytics: Dashboards, Metrics, and Interpretation

Daily Dashboard (minimum viable widgets)

Scans by day (7/14/30‑day windows).
Top placements (by slug suffix) and their STR.
Device mix (iOS/Android/desktop follow‑ups) and OS version (for QR troubleshoot).
Conversion funnel: scans → landings → RSVPs → check‑ins (if integrated).
Heat by hour (find your prime posting/refresh windows).

Cohort Views

NSO Week vs Week 1 of classes.
By building category: academic vs housing vs athletics.
By creative theme: color family A vs B.

Reading the Data

High scans, low actions → fix destination friction.
Low scans, high actions → improve poster visibility/CTA/QR size.
Strong weekday peaks → time your placements and swaps.

Benchmarks (Directional, Vary by Campus)

STR (est.): 0.3–1.5% of passersby scan.
RSVP rate from scan: 15–40% for event CTAs; 5–15% for newsletter joins.
Add‑to‑calendar from RSVP: 60–80% if the button is first on page.

Privacy, Safety, and Compliance (FERPA‑Aware)

Minimize Data: For counseling/health CTAs, avoid UTMs that could be interpreted as sensitive. Use generic campaign names and aggregate reporting.
No PII in URLs: Never encode emails, student IDs, or names in slugs or UTMs.
Consent: For text/email opt‑ins, follow TCPA/CASL where applicable; provide opt‑out.
Brand & Facilities Policy: Use approved marks, colors, and authorized posting areas.
Tamper Protection: Use tamper‑evident stickers or corner cuts; audit regularly.
Fallback Info: Always print a short fallback URL and a brief description for accessibility.

Security: Prevent QR Tampering & Phishing

Branded Domain Only: go.school.edu builds trust vs random shorteners.
Lock High‑Value Slugs: Protect with roles/approvals; enable change logs.
Monitor Anomalies: Spikes from unexpected countries or hours → review.
Visual Integrity: Photograph installed posters; compare on audits to spot overlays.
Expire Old Links: Redirect to evergreen hubs after campaigns end.

Budgeting & ROI (With Real Numbers)

Example Assumptions

Print: 250 A3 posters @ $1.20 = $300.
Labor (design + field): 12 hours @ $25 = $300.
Total Cost: $600.

Observed

Scans: 2,400; RSVPs: 720 (30%); Check‑ins: 432 (60% show).

Metrics

CPS = $600 / 2,400 = $0.25 per scan.
CPA (RSVP) = $600 / 720 ≈ $0.83 per RSVP.
Cost per attendee = $600 / 432 ≈ $1.39.

Interpretation

If your target is <$2 per attendee for general events, this campaign is efficient. Compare to paid social CPMs and on‑platform RSVPs.

Destination Page Patterns (Fast, Mobile, Friction‑Free)

Above‑the‑Fold Essentials

Event title, date/time, building/room, “Add to Calendar”, CTA button (RSVP/Join/Book), and a campus map pin.

Speed

Keep total page weight < 1 MB. Avoid heavy hero images.

Form Design

Minimum fields: name + campus email (optional), or phone (if SMS program). Mark privacy plainly. Provide instant confirmation.

Accessibility

Clear text size; high‑contrast buttons; keyboard focus visible; screen‑reader labels.

Post‑Action

Show next steps immediately (time, location, what to bring). Offer a share button.

Templates You Can Copy

A. CSV for Bulk Short Links + QR

slug,destination,utm_source,utm_medium,utm_campaign,utm_content,notes
nso-Lib1,https://midtown.edu/nso?day=1,poster,print,nso_fall25,Lib1,Library Level 1 east board
nso-Lib3,https://midtown.edu/nso?day=1,poster,print,nso_fall25,Lib3,Library Level 3 printers
clubfair-B1,https://midtown.edu/club-fair,poster,print,club_fair_fall25,B1,Main board near bookstore
career-review,https://midtown.edu/career/review,poster,print,career_services,Bus,Business school lobby
menu-north,https://midtowndining.edu/menus/north,poster,print,dining_housing,North,North dining entrance

B. UTM Builder Snippet

?utm_source=poster&utm_medium=print&utm_campaign={{campaign}}&utm_content={{placement}}

C. Poster Copy Blocks (Fill‑In)

Headline: “Welcome Week: Find Your People.”
Subhead: “Clubs, events, and free food—every day this week.”
CTA above QR: “Scan for the schedule.”
Backup URL: go.midtown.edu/nso

D. CTA Variations

“RSVP in 10 seconds.”
“Claim your seat—limited spots.”
“Book a study room now.”
“Menu & allergens—updated daily.”
“Talk to a counselor—confidential.”

Case Studies (Plausible Scenarios)

Case 1: Orientation Scan Surge
A state university replaced PDF schedules with a mobile schedule hub reachable via go.school.edu/nso. They printed 120 A3 posters across 8 buildings. Over 10 days they saw 9,600 scans (~80 scans/poster), 3,400 add‑to‑calendar events (35%), and 2,700 schedule star‑saves (28%). After day 3 they switched the destination during morning hours to prioritize “Room Changes” and “Live Lines” which cut help desk inquiries by 22%.

Case 2: Club Fair List Growth
A mid‑sized campus used per‑booth slugs (go.school.edu/club‑{booth}) with UTMs by row. Clubs that used a strong CTA (“Join the interest list—1 min”) saw 2.1× more signups than clubs that simply printed their Instagram handle. A/B tests showed that adding an arrow pointing to the QR increased scans by 18%.

Case 3: Career Services Outcomes
Career services piloted 40 posters with QR links to a same‑week resume clinic scheduler. 1,150 scans produced 380 appointments (33%). Peak scans were Mondays 11:00–14:00 near business school elevators; moving 10 posters there during that window improved weekly appointments by 12%.

Multi‑Channel: Tie Print to Digital Without Diluting Either

Email & SMS: Use the same short link in emails/texts to unify analytics across channels.
Social: Photograph the poster and post it; include the short URL in the caption.
Screens & Kiosks: Display the same QR on digital signage for continuity.
Table Tents & Handouts: Reuse the campaign slug so scans roll up to the same campaign.

Maintenance & Hygiene (Keep It Fresh)

Weekly Board Sweep: Replace torn/covered posters; remove expired content.
Rotate Creative: Swap colors or CTA mid‑campaign to catch repeat passersby.
Monitor Dead Zones: If a location underperforms (low STR), try a bigger QR, different height, or a clearer CTA.
Archive & Reuse: Keep a library of high‑performing templates by goal.

Common Pitfalls (And How to Avoid Them)

Tiny QR codes. Fix: D/10 rule; print real‑size proofs.
No backup URL. Fix: Always print the short URL below the code.
Busy backgrounds behind QR. Fix: Solid light block behind the code.
Overstuffed posters. Fix: One headline, one action.
Untracked links. Fix: Enforce a UTM template and slug naming.
Outdated posters remain up. Fix: Weekly maintenance cadence.

Using Shorten World (or Any Modern Shortener) for Campus Workflows

Branded Domains: Map go.school.edu to your shortener; enforce HTTPS.
Bulk CSV: Import the template to create 100s of links and QR images in one pass.
QR Styling: Generate high‑contrast PNG/SVG with correct quiet zone and optional logo.
Dynamic Routing: Time‑based, device‑based, or geo‑aware destinations.
Link Expiry: Auto‑expire after NSO week and redirect to an evergreen “Welcome” hub.
Access Control: RBAC for departments and clubs; reserved slugs for campus‑wide services.
Analytics: Dashboards by campaign, building, hour; export to CSV.

Quick Reference: Spec Sheet for Designers & Printers

Poster Sizes: A4/A3/A2/Tabloid
QR Size: ≥ 1" (2.5 cm) for arm’s length; D/10 for distance
Quiet Zone: ≥ 4 modules
Finish: Matte/satin
Contrast: Dark code on light field
Bleed: 0.125"; Safe Margin: 0.25–0.5"
Backup URL: Under every QR
CTA Copy: 2–6 words above QR

Frequently Asked Questions (Campus‑Specific)

Q: Do we need different QR codes per building?
A: If you want location‑level reporting, yes. Use suffixes like ‑Lib1, ‑GymE. If you don’t need that granularity, one campus‑wide slug is fine.

Q: How many posters do we need?
A: For a mid‑sized event (1,000 attendees goal), plan 100–200 posters across 8–12 high‑traffic buildings, with 1–2 per floor and 4–6 in the student center.

Q: Will people still scan QR codes?
A: Yes—when the CTA is clear, the QR is large enough, and the destination is valuable right now (RSVP, schedule, menu, map).

Q: Can we rotate destinations without reprinting?
A: Yes—use dynamic short links. Keep the slug; change the target by time or phase.

Q: Are custom QR colors OK?
A: If contrast remains high and you test on paper, yes. Avoid light‑on‑dark or low‑contrast palettes.

Q: What about privacy for counseling/health?
A: Keep UTMs generic and aggregate analytics. Don’t encode PII in URLs. Offer a plain short URL under the QR.

One‑Page Campaign Brief (Fill‑In Template)

Goal: __________________________
Audience: ______________________
Dates: _________________________
Primary CTA: ___________________
Destination Owner: _____________
Short Domain: __________________
Slug Pattern: __________________
UTM Template: poster / print / {campaign} / {placement}
Creative Concept: ______________
Poster Sizes: A4 / A3 / A2 / Tabloid
QR Size: _______________________
Placements (with suffixes): ____
A/B Test: Headline / CTA / Destination
Success Metrics: STR, RSVPs, attendance
Timeline: ______________________
Budget: ________________________

Putting It All Together (Step‑by‑Step Launch)

Write the brief with a single measurable goal.
Build the destination (mobile‑first, fast, clear CTA).
Define the slug pattern and UTM template.
Bulk‑create short links and generate QRs (PNG/SVG) with the correct quiet zone.
Design the poster using the template; place the QR with a 2–6 word CTA; add the backup short URL.
Pilot print at 100% size; test scans on 4–5 phones in bad light.
Print run on matte/satin stock; organize by building.
Install at eye‑level; take audit photos; log locations.
Monitor scans on day 1; fix routing; verify A/B tags.
Maintain weekly (replace, rotate, remove outdated).
Analyze & report (STR, RSVP rate, attendance). Capture 3 lessons for the template library.

Conclusion

Short‑link‑powered QR posters and flyers turn campus walls into measurable, real‑time channels. With a branded domain, consistent UTMs, and clean design, you can run campaigns that are fast to deploy, simple to maintain, and clear to evaluate. Start with one goal, one template, and five placements. Learn fast, then scale.

Appendix: Quick Math & Formulas

Scan‑Through Rate (STR)
STR = scans / estimated impressions
If 4,000 people pass a board daily and your poster gets 40 scans, STR = 1%.

Cost Per Scan (CPS)
CPS = total cost / scans

Print‑to‑Action Rate
actions / scans (e.g., RSVPs ÷ scans)

QR Size for Distance (D/10)
If typical viewing distance is 3 m, QR edge ≈ 30 cm.

Placement Density
1–2 posters per floor in academic buildings; 4–6 in student center; 2–3 near dining.

Appendix: Example Poster Spec (A3)

Canvas: A3 (11.7×16.5")
Bleed: 0.125"; Safe: 0.5"
Headline: 60–80 pt
Body: 20–28 pt
CTA (above QR): 28–32 pt
QR Block: 2.5–4" edge (based on distance)
Backup URL: 12–14 pt under QR
Colors: School brand primary + neutral background
Finish: Matte

Appendix: Link Governance Checklist

Reserved slugs list documented (tickets, help‑now, nso, menu, map).
Owners assigned; two‑person change approval for campus‑wide slugs.
Expiration policy for dated campaigns.
Quarterly audit of active slugs and destinations.
Incident response for reported tampering or phishing.