Generating QR Codes with Python's segno Library

This article introduces QR codes beyond industrial uses and demonstrates how to generate them programmatically with Python's segno library.

Installation

Install the library and import it:

pip install segno

import segno

Creating a simple QR code

Generate a tiny QR code containing a short string and save it as an image:

price_tag = segno.make("£9.99")
price_tag.save("Price Tag.png")

QR codes for URLs and media

Encode a YouTube video link and control the output size:

video = segno.make('https://youtu.be/px6FeOKD3Zc')
video.save('Video.png', scale=4)

Wi‑Fi configuration QR code

wifi_settings = {
    "ssid": "(Wifi Name)",
    "password": "(Wifi Password)",
    "security": "WPA"
}
wifi = segno.helpers.make_wifi(**wifi_settings)
wifi.save("Wifi.png", dark="yellow", light="#323524", scale=8)

vCard QR code

vcard = segno.helpers.make_vcard(
    name='Pxxx;Jxxx',
    displayname='Times Tables Furniture',
    email=('[email protected]'),
    url=[
        'https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/TimesTablesFurniture',
        'https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100083448533180'
    ],
    phone="+44xxxxxxxxxx"
)
img = vcard.to_pil(scale=6, dark="#FF7D92").rotate(45, expand=True)
img.save('Etsy.png')

Artistic QR codes

piet = segno.make('https://esolangs.org/wiki/Piet', error='h')
piet.to_artistic(background="background.png", target="Piet.png", scale=16)

Custom QR code with company logo

awsom = segno.helpers.make_vcard(
    name='Fison;Pete',
    displayname='AWSOM Solutions Ltd.',
    email=('[email protected]'),
    url=[
        'https://twitter.com/awsom_solutions',
        'https://medium.com/@petefison',
        'https://github.com/pfython'
    ],
    phone="+44xxxxxxxxxx"
)
awsom.to_artistic(background="logo.png", target="AWSOM.png", scale=6, quiet_zone="#D29500")

In‑memory QR generation

beatle = segno.make('Paul McCartney')
import io
buff = io.BytesIO()
beatle.save(buff, kind='svg')

Load a background image directly from a URL and create an artistic QR code:

from urllib.request import urlopen
url = 'https://media.giphy.com/media/HNo1tVKdFaoco/giphy.gif'
bg_file = urlopen(url)
beatle = segno.make('Ringo Starr', error='h')
beatle.to_artistic(background=bg_file, target='ringo.gif', scale=10)

The article concludes with a long list of creative, home‑use ideas for QR codes, ranging from recycling instructions on trash cans to emergency contact stickers on devices.