LINKIVO GUIDES
How to Shorten a URL for Print Materials
Learn when a short URL can improve printed flyers, posters, handouts, and event materials, and how to test it before printing.
Why Short URLs Help in Print
Printed addresses cannot be tapped, and readers may need to type them into a phone. A compact URL is easier to read aloud, copy by hand, and fit into a narrow design. It can also leave more room for the message and visual hierarchy of the material.
Shortening does not change the destination page. It creates another address that redirects to the saved original URL.
Create and Test Before Printing
Use the Linkivo URL shortener to create the address, then open it on a phone and desktop browser. Check the destination, the redirect, and the exact characters before committing to a print run.
If you also want a scanable option, create a QR code with the Linkivo QR Code Generator. Offering both a short URL and QR code can help different readers.
Design and Safety Considerations
Give the short URL enough contrast and whitespace. Do not split it with punctuation or place it where folds, bindings, or low print quality make characters difficult to read.
Keep the original destination available and avoid using a short link to conceal an unexpected request. Readers should understand what they are being invited to open.
Plan for the Life of the Printed Piece
A short link on a poster may be seen for weeks or months, so test it at the beginning and decide who will check it after publication. Keep the destination available and avoid changing the meaning of the printed instruction after people have received it.
Use readable type, sufficient contrast, and generous spacing around the address. A short URL is not automatically easier to type if its characters are tiny or ambiguous. If a QR code is included, provide the short URL as a second option and test a real print sample before distributing the material.