Since the onset of COVID-19, people have seen an increase in the use of QR codes, according to stats from Statista. This growth in QR code usage is to create a contactless world, and help prevent the spread of the virus. Now both brands and consumers have recognized the value of QR codes.
To take advantage of this QR growth, you should use the best practices when designing a QR code for your brand. Here are the best practises you should keep in mind when generating a QR code.
Img Source – Bitly
Consider QR Code Size
QR code specifications depend on the type of QR code. Below are the popular specifications for QR codes of different types.
Printed QR Codes
Printed QR codes are mostly found in magazines and product packaging. They should be at least 0.4 inches (10 mm) in size, to ensure best performance, according to Quora.
Custom QR Codes
Modern technology has allowed businesses to generate custom QR codes by adding their business logo, a catchy CTA, and custom colours to the code. These QR codes should be of dark colour so that they do not get mixed with the light background. Their minimum recommended width is 1.375 inches (30 mm).
Digital QR Codes
Digital QR codes are found on street signage. Their size should be according to the scanning distance between consumers and signage. However, experts believe that the width of a digital QR code should not be less than 240 pixels at 72 dpi.
Out of Home (OOH) QR Codes
When determining the size of OOH QR codes, use a 10:1 ratio, which is a ratio between the scanning distance and QR code size. Let’s say the scanning distance for your code is 20 feet. In this case, the size of the code should be around 2 feet.
Number of QR Codes
It is better to use only one QR code on an application. A phone camera may fail to focus on a QR code when it has multiple codes in front of it, making it difficult for consumers to scan the code.
If you really need to use more than one QR code, make sure the code is at arm’s length, so that the user can easily change the angle of their camera to adjust focus on the QR code. Make sure there is an appropriate distance between the two QR codes.
Use an Attractive CTA
Writing a catchy CTA under a QR code can help you motivate consumers to grab their phones and scan the code. You can even add a CTA or your company logo in a QR code to make your code look attractive.
Test the Code on Different Devices
Sometimes, a QR code may work for Android, but not for an iPhone. That is why you should test your QR code, before printing it to make sure it works on all devices.
Margins Around a QR Code
Margins around a QR code should not be less than four QR code modules. These modules are the dots that are present in a QR code.
For more tips, read this guide here – how to create qr code