QR Code Design Guide: Size, Colors & Print Testing
Design QR codes that scan reliably. Learn about contrast, quiet zones, logos, print sizing, placement, and testing on real phones.
How to create and use a reliable QR code
Choose short, useful content
Use a stable public URL or only the necessary contact details to keep the QR code less dense.
Set contrast and margins
Use dark modules on a light background. Preserve a quiet zone of at least four modules on every side.
Customize carefully
Use a small logo only if it does not cover corner patterns. Test after every design change; error correction is not a safe logo-area allowance.
Print and test
Test the actual final material with multiple phones at the intended distance, angle, and lighting before distributing it.
Contrast and brand colors
Retain the design guides’ strongest rule: dark modules on a light background. Black on white is a dependable baseline. Use a dark brand color when it stays clearly distinct from the background; avoid white-on-black designs and decorative effects that make modules hard to distinguish.
Size, density, and quiet zone
Leave at least four blank modules around every edge. Do not crop that border or place text inside it. Start at 2.5–3 cm for close scanning and enlarge codes with long vCards or passwords. Posters need larger codes than business cards. Export at sufficient resolution and avoid stretching or blurring PNGs.
Logos and error correction
Keep logos modest and leave the three large finder patterns intact. Higher error correction can help recover some damage but increases density. The old 30% logo-area rule is not a guarantee: recovery depends on which encoded codewords are obscured. Test the finished symbol instead of relying on a percentage.
Placement and a clear call to action
Place the code where people can pause and reach it safely, with adequate lighting. Avoid folds, curved surfaces, reflective finishes, and moving objects. Add an instruction such as “Scan for the menu” and a readable short URL for people who cannot scan.
Destinations and accessibility
Send visitors to a mobile-friendly page that loads quickly and delivers the promised information. Check public access permissions for PDFs and albums. Avoid surprise sign-in screens and explain what a scan does before asking users to act.
Test the final material
Scan with several iPhone and Android devices, under actual lighting and at intended angles and distances. Check after lamination or varnish, and verify that print colors and margins remain intact. Recheck links over time and replace damaged signs.
Frequently asked questions
How large should I print a QR code?
Around 2.5–3 cm wide is a starting point for close-range scanning, not a guarantee. Dense codes and longer viewing distances need larger prints. Test at the intended distance.
Can I use brand colors?
Yes. Keep the modules darker than the background and use strong contrast. Avoid inverted colors, gradients that reduce contrast, and transparent backgrounds on busy artwork.
Can I add a logo?
Use a small logo away from corner patterns and test thoroughly. Error correction percentages refer to recoverable codewords, not an area you can safely cover.
Why does my print fail to scan?
Check size, blur, contrast, cropped margins, reflections, and surface curvature. Test an unmodified black-and-white version to isolate design problems.