Stickers with Citation QR Codes | Lie Library

Wear the Receipt, Stick It to Misinformation

These vinyl stickers let you wear the receipt, literally. Each design features a short headline summarizing a documented false statement paired with a scannable QR code. When someone asks for proof, they scan. The code jumps straight to primary sources and independent fact-checks that verify the context and the correction.

The concept is simple, modern, and practical. Take an iconic claim that has been debunked, turn it into a clean, readable sticker, and attach the receipts. The result is portable transparency that works on laptops, water bottles, clipboards, and field gear. It is merch built for a world that demands receipts, not vibes - accountability you can carry.

This is the original wear the receipt idea developed by Lie Library, designed for repeatable, fast verification in any conversation.

How the Citation QR Code Works on This Product

Scan-to-proof in seconds

Each sticker includes a high-contrast QR code that opens a live citations page. That page anchors the claim to primary materials like transcripts, filings, video, or public records, plus independent fact-checks.
No special app required. Modern phone cameras open the link automatically. For older devices, any free QR reader will work.
Short, stable URLs ensure long-term reliability. If a source moves, the destination updates to maintain a working chain of custody for the evidence.

What you will see after scanning

A concise summary of what the claim said and why it is incorrect, framed with neutral, verifiable language.
Direct links to primary sources, followed by corroborating analyses from reputable fact-checkers.
Publication dates and context notes so readers can assess relevance and recency.

Privacy and reliability notes

QR codes use https links and do not require a login. The destination page loads like any public article.
We avoid link-shorteners that inject trackers, and we preserve permanent references to reduce link rot.
Every code is tested across iOS and Android devices and common camera apps before production.

Product Details - Materials, Printing, Durability

These are field-ready vinyl stickers built for daily use in classrooms, newsrooms, and on the trail. The materials and finish are chosen for readability and longevity.

Material: 3.2 to 3.4 mil outdoor-rated PVC vinyl with a permanent acrylic adhesive that bonds to metal, glass, and most plastics.
Finish: Matte laminate for low glare and enhanced QR scanning under harsh light, or gloss laminate for extra color pop. Both finishes are scuff resistant.
Print: High resolution (at least 300 dpi) for sharp type and clean QR modules, with pigmented inks engineered for fade resistance.
Durability: Water resistant, UV resistant, and suitable for 3 to 5 years of outdoor exposure depending on climate and care.
Formats: Die-cut shapes that follow the design silhouette, or kiss-cut sheets for easy peeling and storage.
Sizes: Common sizes include 2x2 in, 3x2 in, and 3x3 in. For QR reliability, we recommend codes no smaller than 0.8 in on the shortest side.

Care: Hand wash bottles or mugs with mild detergent. Avoid dishwashers if applied to drinkware since high heat and detergents can shorten adhesive life. On laptops or hard cases, remove with slow, steady pull and a bit of isopropyl alcohol to clean any adhesive residue.

Design Principles - Typography, Readability, Attribution

These stickers are designed to be scanned and understood at a glance. The layout prioritizes readability first, aesthetics second.

Typography and layout

Headlines use a strong sans serif at medium to bold weight for legibility in poor lighting. Mixed case improves word shape recognition at small sizes.
Minimum type sizes: 8 pt for attribution and context lines, 11 to 14 pt for the main headline depending on sticker size.
Contrast: Maintain at least a 4.5:1 contrast ratio between text and background. Black on white, or deep navy on white, scans best and reads well.
Hierarchy: A short headline summarizing the claim, an attribution line, and the QR code, set in a simple grid with enough negative space for clarity.

QR code reliability

Quiet zone: At least 4 modules of clear margin around the code. No art or text should interrupt this area.
Module size: For typical phone cameras, keep modules at or above 0.016 in (0.4 mm). For smaller stickers, reduce encoded content with a compact URL.
Error correction: Level M or Q for higher resilience if part of the code gets abraded or lightly obscured.
Color: Dark code on a light background. Avoid reverse-out codes or complex patterns that degrade recognition.

Attribution and context

Attribution line includes the speaker, date, and setting, for example a rally, court filing, or broadcast interview. Keep it compact and neutral.
A micro URL slug may be included for manual typing. The QR remains the primary gateway to the full receipts.
No inflammatory language, no editorializing. The sticker surfaces the claim and the route to verification. The evidence speaks for itself.

Who This Product Is For

Journalists: Add a quick proof point to your field notebook, camera case, or phone rig. It supports transparent reporting at events and scrums. See Lie Library for Journalists for beat-specific workflows.
Voters and volunteers: Carry instant receipts at community events, canvassing tables, and debates. A scan provides quick context without an argument.
Fact-checkers and researchers: Use stickers on laptops or clipboards when recording interviews or collecting b-roll so sources can scan the context page on the spot. Explore Lie Library for Fact-Checkers for sourcing standards.
Educators and students: Bring media literacy into the classroom. A sticker on a syllabus or binder opens a live case study on sourcing and verification.
Civic organizations: Equip volunteers with a uniform, nonpartisan way to point to evidence. No extra training or tech required, just scan and read.

How to Choose a Design That Matches Your Values

Pick the topic that aligns with the conversations you are having. Each sticker line clusters around a specific domain so your receipts are relevant to your audience.

Election integrity: If you are working in voter education or election administration, choose designs centered on ballots, audits, and vote counts. Reference topics and sourcing patterns in the Election Claims: Fact-Checked Archive | Lie Library.
Public health: For campus outreach or community health fairs, select stickers that address pandemic narratives, vaccine myths, or testing claims. Consider how your QR destination organizes scientific sources and plain language summaries for non-technical readers.
Legal and accountability: For pretrial or court-adjacent coverage, focus on claims about investigations, indictments, or rulings. Pick designs that cite filings and court orders with docket links when available.

When in doubt, ask where you face the most repeated misinformation. Choose the design that equips that conversation with fast, verifiable receipts. If you need multiple contexts, mix a few small stickers with different QR codes so you can pivot quickly in the field.

Shipping, Returns, and Sustainability Notes

Shipping: Most orders ship within 2 to 3 business days. Standard domestic delivery arrives in 3 to 7 days depending on region. Expedited options are available at checkout.
Packaging: Stickers ship in recyclable mailers with cardboard stiffeners to prevent bending. We minimize plastic where practical to reduce waste.
Returns: If a QR code is damaged during transit or a print defect affects scan reliability, contact support within 30 days for a replacement or refund. Include a photo so we can spot quality issues fast.
Sustainability: We prioritize low-VOC inks and efficient print runs. Vinyl is durable but not curbside recyclable in most municipalities, so apply thoughtfully and keep stickers in service as long as possible.

FAQs

Do the QR codes expire or change?

No. Each code resolves to a stable citation page that is maintained for continuity. If any third-party source moves, the destination page is updated with a new working reference while preserving the original citation path.

Will the QR code still scan after wear and tear?

Yes within reason. The code uses medium to high error correction so it can handle small scratches or smudges. Avoid placing stickers where they will be heavily abraded, for example on the bottom of a skateboard. If the quiet zone is damaged or the code is deeply gouged, scan reliability can drop.

Can I get a newsroom or campus bulk order?

Yes. Bulk packs are available for classes, newsrooms, and civic organizations. Larger runs can be produced with custom sizes or matte-only finishes for anti-glare in studio lighting. Contact support with your quantities and timeline for a quote.

Can I customize a sticker for a specific topic?

We can adapt a design to a topic cluster, for example election integrity or public health, and route the QR to the corresponding citations hub. To protect accuracy, we do not print unvetted claims. Every QR destination is reviewed for primary sourcing and independent verification.

Do you track scans or collect personal data?

No. The QR opens a standard https page without requiring a login. Aggregate visit counts may be measured for reliability monitoring, but no personal identifiers are collected by default.