How to Create QR Codes That Are Easy to Scan

Original: https://cli.im/article/detail/2054

As QR codes become increasingly widespread, many clients request their inclusion in designs. To meet these demands, designers often redesign QR codes to make them more aesthetically pleasing or creative. However, these redesigned QR codes sometimes fail to scan properly after printing.

Factors Affecting QR Code Scannability

There are many types of QR codes. Using the most common QR code as an example, the following factors can impact scannability:

QR Code Complexity

Content Length: The amount of content encoded in a QR code determines the complexity of its pattern. Longer content results in more complex patterns with more data modules, making the code harder to scan. If your content is lengthy, consider using a dynamic QR code (which features a simpler pattern, supports unlimited content, and allows the inclusion of images, files, audio, and video).

Error Correction Level: QR codes have four error correction levels: L (7%), M (15%), Q (25%), and H (30%). For most modern smartphones and scanning scenarios, a higher error correction level improves scannability. It is strongly recommended to use the 30% (H) level.

Excessive Text and Image Overlay

Adding a company logo can enhance brand image, but an oversized logo or text can block too many data modules, causing data loss and scanning failures. If business requirements necessitate central text or a large logo, consider lowering the QR code's error correction level.

QR Code Colors

The colors of a QR code affect scanning accuracy and speed. Darker QR code colors generally improve scanning success rates, while light-colored codes may fail to scan in low-light conditions.

Data Module Color: The data modules carry the encoded information. Their color should not be too light or too similar to the background. Black or other dark colors are recommended.

Finder Pattern Color: The finder patterns are the positioning markers located in three corners of the QR code. Colors that are too light can prevent scanners or phones from locating the QR code, leading to scanning failures. It is recommended to set the finder pattern color to black. You can test this by scanning the QR code below.

QR Code Size and Scanning Distance

Smaller QR codes have shorter effective scanning distances. When designing posters or advertisements for outdoor use, determine the QR code's print size based on the expected scanning distance; otherwise, insufficient distance may prevent the code from being recognized.

Data Module Shape and Size

The shape of the data modules influences scanning accuracy and speed. Clear, regularly shaped modules significantly improve scanning success rates.

How to Create Good-Looking and Scannable QR Codes

When redesigning or creating QR codes, paying attention to the factors mentioned above will help you produce scannable codes. In practice, fully customizing QR code aesthetics often requires a professional designer and can be time-consuming and labor-intensive.

In most cases, simple beautification of the QR code image is sufficient for deployment—such as adding a company logo or changing the color to better match the page design. For these tasks, a user-friendly QR code beautification tool can complete the job in under a minute.

Search online for a QR code generator. Using "CaoLiao QR Code," one of the most widely used generators, as an example, here are some ideas and methods for beautifying QR codes, offering you an option for QR code processing:

Handling Simple Pattern QR Codes

Open CaoLiao's style editor, upload the QR code image provided by the client (ensure the original QR code scans correctly), select your desired style, add the company logo, and download the result.

This method is well-suited for beautifying QR codes for WeChat Public Platforms, WeChat, corporate websites, etc., or for quickly obtaining a high-resolution QR code image (e.g., if the client's provided code has insufficient resolution or unwanted styles that need removal).

Handling Complex Pattern QR Codes

Sometimes, the QR code provided by the client already has a complex pattern. In such cases, simplifying the QR code first is necessary to ensure the beautified version remains scannable. You can decode the QR code to extract its information, then use a dynamic QR code to regenerate it. The resulting QR code image will be much simpler, and beautifying this version will maintain scannability. This approach is suitable for QR codes containing lengthy or complex content, such as product purchases or detailed introductions.

If the client doesn't have a QR code but wants one for product information, instructions, etc., you can directly use templates provided by the platform. Add the content to be displayed into the editor to quickly generate a QR code.