QR code design: a checklist before printing

Scanners need a clear difference between the dark and light parts of the pattern. Dark navy on white is a much better starting point than pale yellow on white, even if both combinations suit your brand. Keep the code noticeably darker than its background, and check it on the material you'll actually print on.

A small logo in the centre can make the code recognizably yours. QR codes have error correction, which helps recover some covered or damaged data; QR-ZY lets you choose a higher level for a design with a logo. Keep the logo modest and leave the three large corner markers clear. There is no single logo percentage that makes every design safe, so test the result and reduce the logo if it makes scanning harder.

Rounded dots and softer corners can change the feel of a code without making it look unfamiliar. Try a subtle change first, keeping the small elements distinct. Pay particular attention to the three large corner markers: they help the scanner find and orient the code. Check any styling of those markers on several phones before settling on the design.

A frame with 'View the menu' or 'Save my contact' gives people a reason to scan. Keep the frame and wording outside the blank margin around the pattern. That margin should be at least as wide as four small QR squares on every side. If you're placing the code over a photo or illustration, give it a plain light backing so the artwork doesn't compete with the pattern.

Any time you customize colors, add a logo, or change the module shape, test the result with several different phone models and scanning apps before publishing or printing it. What scans perfectly on one phone's camera can fail on another, especially with lower-contrast or heavily styled designs.