QR Code Design: How to create a customized QR Code

Create a custom QR Code with these actionable tips and insights. Learn where you can use these QR Code designs and how to use some advanced custom features.

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Customize your QR Code design in 3 easy steps

Step 1:

Choose a color that aligns with your branding. Try now

Step 2:

Select a logo or upload your own

Step 3:

Test your QR Code and download it

Traditional QR Codes vs Custom QR Codes

Traditional QR Codes have given way to designer QR Codes with custom colors and logos that let the user know exactly what the QR Code is for. Designer codes are not just visually appealing but also helps consumers connect with the brand.

Traditional QR Codes

1. Are black and white

2. Not distinct from other QR Codes

3. Don’t tell the consumer anything about your brand

Customized QR Codes

1. Are very distinctive and stand out

2. Contain your brand colors and logo

3. Let the customer know what happens on scanning the QR Code

How to: Get creative with your QR Code design

As mentioned above, you can create your customized QR Code for free in a few easy steps. Let’s get into a little more detail:

1. Choose a QR Code generator: To begin with, select a QR Code generator that allows you to create QR codes for free and is easy and simple to use. The more complicated the process, the higher the chances that your QR Code may end up looking nothing like QR Codes at all. Choose Uniqode's QR Code generator that allows you to create customized QR Codes for free with unlimited scans.

2. Choose your color: For established businesses and brands, you already have a color palette. Select a color from that palette and try it out now. With a little bit of trial and error, you will land on a color that makes the QR Code look aesthetically pleasing. For instance, this is a Website QR Code that was created for Uniqode's homepage.

3. Choose a logo: Depending on what the QR Code is intended for, you can choose a logo from the gallery. For instance, if it is a YouTube QR Code, you want to select the YouTube logo. This lets the end user know what they can expect when they can scan the QR Code. Alternatively, you can upload your brand’s logo to reinforce your branding. You can add a compelling CTA like ‘Scan to play’ or ‘Scan to get offer’ on the print material instead.

4. Generate and test your QR Code: Click on ‘Generate QR Code’ to start testing your QR Code. This step is crucial. You want to make sure your customized QR Code is still scannable. If you choose a color that is too light or play too much with the foreground and background colors, you might end up with a non-functional QR Code. Scan the QR Code with your iPhone or Android smartphone to make sure it is working.

5. Download the customized QR Code: Your QR Code is now ready to be downloaded. Choose PNG or JPG if you intend to use it online on a website or social media and EPS, SVG if you want to use it on a flyer, poster, business card, brochure or a billboard.

Personalize your QR Code design: Advanced Customization

Apart from adding a color and a logo, there is a lot more you can do when it comes to personalizing your QR Code to create a custom QR Code campaign. To create these customized QR Codes, you will need Uniqode's QR Code Solution.

On the left-hand panel, click on QR Codes and choose ‘Create QR Code’

Choose the type of QR Code you wish to create.

Let’s say, you want to create a Website QR Code

Enter the relevant details to create the QR Code.

Customize the QR Code Design

Templates: If you’d like to skip designing every element separately, simply choose one of the available options. Click on a template to apply it. To remove, click on it again and you will see a “Remove” option.

Eyes: The three squares surrounded by frames on the corners of the QR Code are known as the eyes of the QR Code. Technically, these are called positioning markings and indicate which direction the QR Code has been printed in to make it easier for scanning.

Change the eye-ball color and shape: To change the color, select a color from the palette or enter the hex code of the color directly. To change the shape of the eyes, simply click on the available shapes.

Change the eye-frame color and shape: Choose a color from your branding or pick a color from the palette. Select a shape from the available templates.

Logo: Choose a logo from the gallery or upload your brand’s logo. QR Codes with a brand logo are instantly recognizable and help instill trust in your user.

Pattern: The data is held in the pattern. Usually, it’s black and white squares but you can easily change the shape and the color of this pattern.

Background: Choose an image or color as the background of the QR Code. You can utilize this for vCard for personal or business use.

Adding an image as the background:

Adding an image can take some trial and error on your part. The colors of the image should not clash with the colors of the QR Code. Try uploading a square image for best results or use the Crop tool when uploading it to the dashboard.

Adding a color as the background of the QR Code:

The background color and the QR Code must have a contrast ratio of 40%. This means the background should be 40% lighter than the QR Code. To ensure your QR Code is scannable, test a couple of colors and scan them through your smartphone.

Frame:

Adding a CTA to your QR Code is the simplest way to educate consumers what they can expect and boost your CTR. Click on the available templates to add a frame. To remove it, click on it again, until you see a remove button.

Download your QR Code:

You can download your customized QR Code in PNG, SVG, JPEG or EPS or print your QR Code right away.

QR Code Design: Do’s and Don’ts

Do’s

Use color: It is vital that you use color in your customized QR Code to help it stand out from other QR codes and pique the interest of consumers.
Use a logo: A logo in high resolution lets the customer know exactly which brand it is or what to expect when they scan the QR Code.
Change the shape of the eyes of the QR Code: The eyes of the QR Code are the 4 rectangular blocks present in the QR Code. You can change the shape of these to make them more rounded or oblong as per your desire.
Related: Learn more about the elements of a QR Code
Use a color gradient: To make your QR Codes even more interesting, you can choose a color gradient in line with your branding.
Have a quiet zone: Without a border of some sorts around the QR Code design, your QR Code will become unscannable.
Include a CTA: Always have a call to action in the QR Code design. ‘Scan Me’, ‘Shop now’, ‘Grab Deal’ are all examples of actionable CTAs that can help encourage users to scan your QR Code.
Always test your QR Code design: Don’t print your QR Code without testing them first. To test, use a variety of smartphones and other smart devices that have an in-built QR Code scanner in them and take note of how long it takes for each device to scan the QR Code

Don'ts

Use too much color: Don’t go overboard with too many colors making the QR Code unscannable beyond recognition. If you find that your QR Code is unscannable, scale back on the number of colors.
Use a blurred logo: In this digital era, a blurred logo is unforgivable. Make sure your logo is crisp and can be seen clearly.
Create a QR Code with too many design elements: Your QR Codes are fully customizable but it does not mean you should go about creating a QR Code so unique that only you can tell that it is a QR Code.
Cover the eyes of the QR Code: Place your logo in the center and never the cover the eyes of the QR Code. This will render your QR Code unscannable.
Make it too small: A customized QR Code should be at least 2 cm x 2cm to remain scannable.
Change the shape: Despite the QR Code design, always create a square QR Code. Any other shape - rectangle, circle will render the QR Code unscannable.

Advanced QR Code design tips from marketing experts

Add a color palette: Use your brand’s color palette or create one for all your QR Codes. If you’re unsure about which colors go well together, look up websites like Color Hexa.
Soften the hard edges: Instead of having square edges, you can use one of the custom eyes for your QR Code design to soften the look of the QR Code.
Use an image as the background: You can also use an image as the background of the QR Code to give it a 3D impact.
Use QR Codes with error correction: Natural wear and tear of the QR Code on print material can render the QR Code unscannable. You need to create QR Code designs that have high levels of error correction at least Level M - upto 15% damage.
Trial and error: Be ready for some trial and error when it comes to creating your QR Code designs. Of course, if you are in a rush, you can always use one of the templates. But for a striking QR Code design, be prepared to take the trial and error approach.