QR codes have become a common sight in marketing as they help enable effortless digital interactions. Keep in mind, the traditional black-and-white look may not always complement your brand’s visual identity. To enhance the QR codes visual appeal and ensure they align with your brand, consider customizing them. Here are a few tips for stylizing QR codes while maintaining functionality:

Use Color

Use your brand’s colors to make a QR code visually appealing and cohesive with your overall brand image. Keeping the code black and white can be an ugly sore spot in the overall design and take attention away from the message. You can integrate the code seamlessly with color. You can change the entire code to one color or choose specific squares.

For us at Impact, our graphic designer creates our QR codes with colored squares in the corners, to mimic the arrows in our logo. It’s a subtle change but very effective. The black border matches other stroke elements used in our brand.

 

 

 

 

 

Create a Fun Shape

While the standard square QR code is recognizable, you can incorporate your brand’s logo or a custom shape into the design to stand out. Just be sure not to distort the code, as this can hinder scanning and performance. Place your logo in the middle of the code or incorporate the code into a larger shape.

For Randall’s Meats and Catering, the QR code is incorporated into a star shape, drawing from their logo. The code remains scannable as long as it is fully visible and any repeated parts that are cut off do not affect its functionality. The design was inspired by Hy-Vee, which uses a repeated version of their code in the form of an “H”.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Make Sure it’s Legible and is Easy to Scan

While creativity is key, it’s important not to compromise the QR code’s scanning ability. Ensure that the code retains its square shape and that the patterns within are clear and well-defined. Be sure there is enough contrast between the background and the pattern. It is not necessary to have the background lighter than the code, as long as there is contrast. Play around with reversing colors!

 

 

 

 

 

Add a Call to Action

Encourage people to scan the QR code by adding a call to action (CTA). This could be a simple instruction like “Scan to Learn More” or “Apply Online Here,” as a clear and compelling call to action. Call to actions can significantly increase engagement and drive user interaction with the code. It is also helpful to add a Google Analytics tag to the URL of the code, so you can track how much traction your QR code is getting.

For Iowa Irish Fest, we use a QR code with a stylized border to match the design of the logo and other design elements used throughout the brand. The call to action is “Download Our App!” using the brand’s font which will bring the individual to the app store.

 

 

 

 

 

 

In conclusion, stylizing QR codes can enhance visual appeal and help them be more aligned with your brand’s identity. It is crucial to find a balance of creativity with functionality to ensure that the codes remain easy to scan and serve their purpose. By following these tips, you can create QR codes that not only look great but drive engagement and enhance user experience. Don’t forget to check the code’s readability before printing!

Impact Marketing can create custom QR codes to effortlessly match your brand! From newspaper ads to podium designs, we do it all. Give us a call at 319-232-4332 today.