Create beautiful and effective QR codes that stand out.
🧙♂️ Learn how to design QR codes that are both visually appealing and functional.
It just f*ckin works.
The most important aspect of QR code design is maintaining high contrast between the foreground (the dark modules or squares) and the background. High contrast ensures that QR code scanners can easily distinguish between the two elements.
Traditional QR codes use black modules on a white background for maximum contrast. If you want to use colors, ensure there's still significant contrast between them. For example:
Avoid using colors that are too similar in brightness or hue, as this can make the QR code difficult to scan.
Incorporate your brand colors into your QR code to maintain brand consistency. Use your primary brand color for the QR code modules and a complementary light color for the background. This creates a cohesive look while ensuring the QR code remains functional.
If your brand color is light, use it for the background and a darker complementary color for the modules.
While it might be tempting to invert the traditional QR code colors (using white modules on a black background), this can cause scanning issues with some QR code readers. It's best to keep the modules darker than the background.
You can add a small logo or image to the center of your QR code to enhance branding. However, this must be done carefully to maintain scannability. Here are some guidelines:
QR codes don't have to use square modules. You can customize the shape of the modules to match your brand aesthetic, as long as the overall pattern remains recognizable to scanners. Some options include:
Be cautious with extreme customizations and always test thoroughly to ensure scannability.
Adding a frame around your QR code can enhance its visual appeal and provide space for additional information. The frame can include:
Ensure the frame doesn't interfere with the quiet zone (the white space around the QR code) which is necessary for proper scanning.
QR codes include error correction capabilities that allow them to be scanned even if parts are damaged or obscured. There are four error correction levels:
If you plan to customize your QR code significantly or add a logo, use a higher error correction level (Q or H) to ensure it remains scannable.
When designing QR codes, consider where and how they will be displayed:
The quiet zone is the white space that surrounds a QR code. It's essential for proper scanning as it helps the scanner identify the boundaries of the code. Always maintain a quiet zone that's at least four modules wide on all sides of your QR code.
If you're adding a frame or other design elements around your QR code, ensure they don't encroach on this quiet zone.
Always test your QR codes on multiple devices and with different QR code scanning apps. Different scanners have varying levels of tolerance for customization and design elements. Testing ensures your QR code works for all potential users.
Test your QR codes in various lighting conditions, including low light, bright sunlight, and under artificial lighting. This is particularly important if you're using colors other than black and white, as lighting can affect how colors appear and how easily the QR code can be scanned.
If your QR code contains a URL, keep it as short as possible. Shorter URLs create QR codes with fewer modules, which are easier to scan and allow for more customization without affecting functionality. Consider using URL shorteners for long web addresses.