Colored QR Code: Create One to Boost Customer Engagement

QR Codes have evolved significantly since their inception and are used in several business use cases. Despite its popularity, you might have seen them in standard black and white. But these days, businesses opt for colored QR Codes due to their visuals and flexibility to easily correlate colors with brand identity.

For example, a Forbes article discusses how colors can positively impact customer behavior and brand recall. Therefore, customizing a QR Code with brand-specific colors can increase the conversion rate and produce far-reaching results.

Let’s dive into why colored QR Code is an excellent alternative to traditional black and white ones.

Table of contents

1. How does a colored QR Code engage more customers than a black and white one?
2. Which elements of a QR Code can you color?
3. How to create a colored QR Code?
4. Do’s and Don’ts while creating a colored QR Code
5. Frequently Asked Questions

How does a colored QR Code engage more customers than a black and white one?

QR Codes can increase customer interactions as they can easily direct them to websites, landing pages, videos, digital business cards, menus, PDFs, and other campaigns.

A custom QR Code can increase your customer interaction even higher. Our poll also shows that about 94.4% of users prefer scanning a colored QR Code over a black-and-white one. 

Here’s how colored QR Codes can make a deeper impact on your audience:

1. Brand identity

Color is an essential attribute in branding. Many brands depend highly on a unique color palette to shape their identity.  

For instance, Coca-Cola’s cans are easily identifiable due to their signature red and white color scheme. Similarly, red packaging with a yellow ‘M’ reminds us of McDonald’s. The same goes for the colored QR Codes.

A colored QR Code using brand colors will compliment your brand’s identity and stand out among the black and white ones. This will help users quickly associate with your brand. Hence, this could prompt them to scan your QR Code and carry out the necessary action.   

2. Compatible with designs

Brand building is not just limited to strategy but also extends to designs and visuals. So, placing a black-and-white QR Code in your brand’s design might not match its aesthetic. 

With a black and white QR Code, the coherency in the design goes away. 

On the other hand, a color-coordinated QR Code that blends well with your brand design can elevate customer engagement and lead to successful campaign results.

3. Engagement via CTA frames

Placing a colored QR Code without a CTA frame is like telling a story without a title. A clear-cut QR Code CTA frame can enhance the chances of getting more attention from potential customers. 

If a QR Code has a CTA text such as “Scan to view PDF,” the user is aware that they can view a PDF file upon scanning the QR Code. This lets your audience know what to expect after scanning.

Using frames with personalized CTAs has an even better impact and a high conversion rate.

Which elements of a QR Code can you color?

1. Eyes: The eyes are the position markers of the QR Code. You can change the color of the eyes and the eye frame for some contrast. You can either assign different colors to them or opt for the same one. 

2. Data Pattern: The dots in the QR Code are called its data pattern. You can opt for either a solid color or apply a gradient for a more elevated effect.

3. Logo: You can add a logo or an image at the center of your QR Code. You can also choose a white background to make it stand out. 

4. Background: Use a solid color or picture for the background of your QR Code. You can even go with a transparent QR Code without any background.

5. Frame: You can add a colored CTA frame to your QR Code to make it more actionable. 

How to create a colored QR Code?

Step 1: Go to Uniqode’s QR Code generator

Go to Uniqode’s QR Code generator and choose a QR Code type from the ones listed.

Step 2: Set up your QR Code campaign

Fill in the required fields to set up your QR Code.

Step 3: Customize your QR Code 

You can now customize your QR Code’s color, eyes, and background. You can also select a predefined QR Code template, add a logo and an actionable CTA frame. 

Step 4: Download your QR Code

You can now download the QR Code in the format of your choice.

Do’s and don’ts while creating a colored QR Code

While customizing and coloring your QR Code, there is a lot to keep in mind, as certain customizations can hamper its scannability.

1. Use contrast colors

While going for a colored QR Code, a good practice is to use contrasting colors for the various components of a QR Code. 

For instance, the data pattern should always be darker than the background. 

#1 Data pattern

The dots on the QR Code are called the data pattern. The information is encoded in these dots. While creating a colored QR Code, it is recommended to keep the following points in mind.

• a) Using a solid color for the data pattern 

The pattern dots of the colored QR Code must be of colors contrasting to its background. This makes it easier for your smartphone’s camera (or any third-party QR Code scanner app) to identify the dots with the encoded information. If the QR Code’s background is darker than the pattern, it’s called an inverted QR Code, which is difficult to scan.

Therefore, we highly recommend using contrasting colors and darker shades for the data pattern. If you plan to use lighter colors or pastel shades for the pattern, ensure that the background is of a contrasting color to avoid affecting your QR Code’s scannability. 

• b) Using a gradient for the data pattern 

You can also apply a gradient to your QR Code’s data pattern. All you need to do is make sure that the gradient start color is in contrast with the color of the background to prevent both from blending with each other.

#2 Eyes

The eyes are the position markers of the QR Code. The color of the eye and its frame color should be different or in contrast with the background. If it blends with the background, your smartphone’s camera won’t be able to scan the QR Code.

#3 Frame

The frame provides a boundary and space to add a CTA text. There are 2 best practices to keep in mind with frames.

• a) The frame should be of a different color than the QR Code’s background. 

• b) The color of the CTA text in the frame should be suitable to ensure that users can easily read it.  

PS: Even if the color of the frame is not ideal, the QR Code would still be scannable, but the CTA text will be difficult to read. 

2. Avoid using a dark background

One of the situations to avoid while creating a colored QR Code is the inverted QR Code. An inverted Code is where the background is dark, and the data pattern is light in color. Not all devices or QR Code scanners can scan an inverted QR Code. 

The background can be made transparent, or an image can be added to it but keep in mind to avoid an inverted QR Code situation. Therefore, we recommend to avoid placing a colored QR Code with a transparent background on a dark theme. 

3. Avoid overstepping the pattern

Adding a CTA frame to your colored QR Code helps distinguish it from the rest of the creative and adds a design edge.  As a best practice, all you need to do is make sure that the QR Code’s frame does not overlap with the data pattern. If this happens, the QR Code not only looks cluttered but also becomes unscannable. 

4. Use HD Logos/Images

While creating a colored QR Code, you can add your brand logo or an image to it. The logo should be in an appropriate ratio with the QR Code so that it does not affect its scannability. You should also ensure to use a high-resolution image for your QR Code’s logo.

5. Ensure high error correction

Color QR codes should be designed to maintain scanability across various lighting conditions, backgrounds, and scanning devices.

A further step in ensuring QR Code scannability is error correction.

Like traditional QR codes, color QR codes can have high error correction to ensure data integrity even if the QR Code is partially obscured or cluttered.

6. Download and print high-resolution QR Codes

Color QR codes should be created and downloaded at a high resolution to ensure that the individual data modules are clearly defined and distinguishable.

If you are planning to print your QR Codes, ensure high print quality to maintain the integrity of the code and prevent scanning issues.

What can go wrong while creating a colored QR Code? 

There are plenty of QR Code customization options that you can leverage for your requirements. However, as we’ve seen from the above list of do’s and don’ts, the little details matter to avoid hindering your colored QR Code’s scannability.  

To ensure an effortless experience while customizing your QR Code and maintaining its effective scannability, you are recommended to opt for the best QR Code generator.

Uniqode comes with real-time scannability checking features. Our platform also provides QR customization tips on how to fix the scannability issue. 

Here’s how Uniqode fares against its competitors when it comes to QR Code customization.  

As you can see from the above comparison, Uniqode is the best QR Code generator among its competitors when it comes to customization.

Frequently asked questions

Why are most QR Codes black and white in color?

The original design of QR Codes was influenced by black and white Go board pieces. The reason is high contrast; the bigger the difference between the colors, the easier it is to read the QR Code. Since then, QR Codes have been black and white in color. However, not so recently, the customization of QR Codes grew more popular and became a necessity for businesses.

Can QR Codes be colorful?

Color can lift up the appearance of QR Codes and help to attract even more customers. Additionally, you can easily integrate them into your campaigns and marketing collaterals. Create a user-friendly colored QR Code with Uniqode.

How do I create an artistic QR Code?

You can create an artistic QR Code in 4 simple steps:

Step 1: Go to Uniqode’s QR Code generator, and select the type of QR Code.

Step 2: Set up your QR Code campaign by filling in the required fields.

Step 3: Customize your QR Code with colors and shapes of your choice for each element.

Step 4: Download your QR Code in the format of your choice.

• Author Details

Author Details

Ranjan C

Enthusiastic about marketing and improving the ROI of businesses.

https://www.uniqode.com/blog/

ranjan.c@beaconstac.com