Overview
Customizing the colors of your QR code is a simple way to align it with your brand identity. Instead of the standard black-and-white pattern, you can choose colors that match your logo, marketing materials, or campaign theme. QR Dex gives you full control over both the foreground and background colors of your code.
While color customization opens up creative possibilities, it is important to follow a few guidelines to make sure your QR code remains easy to scan across all devices.
How to Change QR Code Colors
Follow these steps to customize the colors of your QR code:
- Open the QR code editor by creating a new QR code or selecting an existing one from your dashboard.
- Locate the Color options in the editor panel.
- Click on the Foreground Color picker to change the color of the QR code modules (the dots or squares that make up the pattern).
- Click on the Background Color picker to change the color behind the modules.
- Watch the live preview update as you adjust your colors.
- Once you are satisfied with the result, click Save QR Code.
Understanding Foreground and Background
A QR code is made up of two visual layers:
- Foreground refers to the modules themselves, which are the small squares or dots that form the data pattern. By default, these are black.
- Background is the space behind and between the modules. By default, this is white.
When you change these colors, you are essentially controlling the two layers that scanners use to distinguish the data pattern. The scanner needs to clearly see the difference between the foreground and the background.
Contrast Is Critical
The single most important rule when customizing QR code colors is to maintain high contrast between the foreground and background. Here is what to keep in mind:
- Dark foreground on a light background works best. This is the pattern that QR code scanners are optimized to read. Combinations like dark blue on white, black on light yellow, or dark green on a pale background all scan reliably.
- Avoid light foreground on a dark background. While some modern scanners can handle inverted color schemes, many older devices and camera apps struggle with this pattern. If you need a dark background, test thoroughly on multiple devices before committing.
- Avoid low-contrast combinations. Light gray on white, yellow on light green, or any pairing where the two colors are similar in brightness will make your QR code unreliable or completely unscannable.
Using Brand Colors Effectively
If you want your QR code to match your brand, here are some practical recommendations:
- Use your darkest brand color as the foreground and keep the background white or very light. This gives you brand consistency without sacrificing scannability.
- If your brand palette is mostly light colors, consider using a darker shade or a complementary dark color for the foreground.
- Avoid using more than two colors in the QR code itself. Keep it simple to maintain a clean, professional look.
Test After Customizing
After changing your QR code colors, always test scannability before distributing. Scan the code with at least two different devices, including both iPhone and Android if possible. Try scanning under different lighting conditions, as some color combinations that work well on screen may be harder to read when printed and viewed under artificial light.
QR Dex provides a live preview so you can scan directly from the editor screen to catch any issues before saving.