Moving a print shop from walk-in-only to self-serve ordering
HDPrint Team
HDPrint Team

A practical guide for shop owners: what a QR code order station looks like, where to place it, and what to consider.
Setting up a QR code order station at your shop takes under ten minutes. Here is what a good setup looks like and what to think about before you start.
What you need
- The HDPrint Kiosk app installed on your shop computer
- A printer connected to the same local network
- A printed QR code from the HDPrint dashboard
- A visible, accessible spot for the QR code
Where to place the QR code
The ideal spot is:
- At eye level on the counter
- Near the payment area
- In a position where the customer sees it before they reach the counter
The QR code should be large enough to scan comfortably — at least 5 x 5 cm. Use the high-contrast printout from the HDPrint dashboard.
The counter setup
A good counter has three zones:
- The QR zone — the printed QR code on a card or stand
- The tablet zone (optional) — a tablet showing the HDPrint dashboard so you can see incoming orders
- The pickup zone — a clear area where customers collect printed jobs
What customers need to know
A small laminated sign explaining the process helps:
Scan the code, upload your file, choose your options, and pay. Your job will appear on our screen. No app needed.
Some customers will scan and upload while waiting in line. Others will need verbal guidance — "just scan that code and it will take you through it."
Managing the transition
If you are transitioning from a fully walk-in model, expect some customers to need help at first. After two weeks, most regular customers will use the QR code without prompting.
FAQ
What if my internet goes down?
The HDPrint Kiosk works on a local network. As long as your printer is on the same network as the kiosk computer, jobs continue to print. Orders cannot be placed during an outage.
Do I need a tablet?
No. The QR code works on its own. A tablet showing the dashboard is optional — it lets you see incoming orders at a glance without turning to the computer.
How do I change the QR code?
Print a new one from the HDPrint dashboard at any time. The QR code encodes your shop slug, so the link always goes to the same page.
Ready to print your files or modernize your print shop?
Scan a shop QR code to upload and pay in 30 seconds, or set up silent desktop cloud printing for your shop today.