QR code color and contrast

QR code color and contrast is answered here. Use a Canva one-off or free static generator when you will never edit or count scans. Hosted types stay editable after print via a 302. We do not sell an unpaid tier.

QR code color and contrast

This page also covers edit after print, scan analytics, error correction, print size as practical checks on the same job. For qr code color and contrast, decide static vs hosted before you pick colours. Hosted SmartQRCode types encode a URL on smart-qrcode.com (apex). Static tools write the payload into the modules. Scan analytics exist on redirect and landing-page types. Error correction and print size decide whether the camera can recover the pattern.

What you need

A phone to test-scan, the final URL or payload, and the print file at the size it will appear. For hosted types you also need a SmartQRCode account on a paid option ($1.99, $29, $97, or $197). For a one-off that will never move, Canva or another free static generator is enough. We do not sell an unpaid tier.

Steps that actually print

1. Decide static vs hosted. Static encodes the payload in the modules. Hosted encodes a SmartQRCode URL so you can edit after print.
2. Pick the type. There are 17. Wi-Fi is the only static type and is not editable and not trackable.
3. Set error correction to M for clean paper, H if you add a logo or print on scuffed packaging.
4. Export SVG for vinyl and a 300 dpi PNG or PDF for toner. Do not send a screenshot.
5. Print a 2 cm proof, scan from 30 cm, then print the run.

When a simpler tool is enough

A free static generator such as Canva is the right one-off when the payload will never change and you do not need scan counts. Using a hosted code for a throwaway poster is wasted cost. Using a static file for a menu you will reprice weekly is wasted reprint. State that trade plainly and pick.

Common mistakes

Scaling a screenshot until the modules smear. Printing on a dark ground without inverting correctly. Putting a logo so large that error correction cannot recover the finder patterns. Expecting a Wi-Fi code to show analytics. Expecting a paused hosted code to keep redirecting. Forgetting that a 301 would freeze edits, which is why this product uses 302.

Worked check 1 on qr code color and contrast: print a proof on room key sleeves (laminated tent) at no less than 2 cm across and scan from arm length with the camera you expect guests to use. Export 300 dpi PNG for the printer and keep a quiet zone of at least four modules on every side. Do not screenshot the on-screen preview; it encodes /qr-preview, not the live payload. Redirect and landing-page types stay editable after ink because the printed modules encode a SmartQRCode URL. Wi-Fi stays the exception: not editable after printing and not trackable, so reprint when the password changes. A Canva one-off or other free static generator is still the right tool when this search-gaps job will never need a destination change or a scan count. ISO/IEC 18004 still governs the pattern, independent of search-gaps.

Worked check 2 on qr code color and contrast: print a proof on shipping cartons (painted drywall) at no less than 2 cm across and scan from one metre with the camera you expect guests to use. Export PDF plus SVG for the printer and keep a quiet zone of at least four modules on every side. Country-level scan location comes from request headers, not a GPS trace, and analytics cannot see a name or email. Redirect and landing-page types stay editable after ink because the printed modules encode a SmartQRCode URL. Wi-Fi stays the exception: not editable after printing and not trackable, so reprint when the password changes. A Canva one-off or other free static generator is still the right tool when this search-gaps job will never need a destination change or a scan count. ISO/IEC 18004 still governs the pattern, independent of search-gaps.

Worked check 3 on qr code color and contrast: print a proof on table tents (brushed metal plate) at no less than 2 cm across and scan from across a table with the camera you expect guests to use. Export SVG for the printer and keep a quiet zone of at least four modules on every side. User-archived codes keep scanning; pause is a separate state you set on purpose. Redirect and landing-page types stay editable after ink because the printed modules encode a SmartQRCode URL. Wi-Fi stays the exception: not editable after printing and not trackable, so reprint when the password changes. A Canva one-off or other free static generator is still the right tool when this search-gaps job will never need a destination change or a scan count. ISO/IEC 18004 still governs the pattern, independent of search-gaps.

Worked check 4 on qr code color and contrast: print a proof on window vinyl (clear acetate) at no less than 2 cm across and scan from two metres with the camera you expect guests to use. Export PDF for the printer and keep a quiet zone of at least four modules on every side. There are exactly 17 types; do not invent an eighteenth for this job. Redirect and landing-page types stay editable after ink because the printed modules encode a SmartQRCode URL. Wi-Fi stays the exception: not editable after printing and not trackable, so reprint when the password changes. A Canva one-off or other free static generator is still the right tool when this search-gaps job will never need a destination change or a scan count. ISO/IEC 18004 still governs the pattern, independent of search-gaps.

Worked check 5 on qr code color and contrast: print a proof on corrugated boxes (kraft sleeve) at no less than 2 cm across and scan from 30 cm with the camera you expect guests to use. Export 300 dpi PNG for the printer and keep a quiet zone of at least four modules on every side. Redirect types are website URL, WhatsApp, Google review, and location. They hop through /api/track/{code}. Redirect and landing-page types stay editable after ink because the printed modules encode a SmartQRCode URL. Wi-Fi stays the exception: not editable after printing and not trackable, so reprint when the password changes. A Canva one-off or other free static generator is still the right tool when this search-gaps job will never need a destination change or a scan count. ISO/IEC 18004 still governs the pattern, independent of search-gaps.

Worked check 6 on qr code color and contrast: print a proof on coated flyers (gloss card) at no less than 2 cm across and scan from arm length with the camera you expect guests to use. Export PDF plus SVG for the printer and keep a quiet zone of at least four modules on every side. Landing-page types include vCard, PDF, images, social, video, text, custom (beta), Facebook, app, menu, business, and event. Redirect and landing-page types stay editable after ink because the printed modules encode a SmartQRCode URL. Wi-Fi stays the exception: not editable after printing and not trackable, so reprint when the password changes. A Canva one-off or other free static generator is still the right tool when this search-gaps job will never need a destination change or a scan count. ISO/IEC 18004 still governs the pattern, independent of search-gaps.

Worked check 7 on qr code color and contrast: print a proof on vehicle wrap film (matte stock) at no less than 2 cm across and scan from one metre with the camera you expect guests to use. Export SVG for the printer and keep a quiet zone of at least four modules on every side. A 301 would cache the destination and freeze later edits, which is why scans use 302. Redirect and landing-page types stay editable after ink because the printed modules encode a SmartQRCode URL. Wi-Fi stays the exception: not editable after printing and not trackable, so reprint when the password changes. A Canva one-off or other free static generator is still the right tool when this search-gaps job will never need a destination change or a scan count. ISO/IEC 18004 still governs the pattern, independent of search-gaps.

Worked check 8 on qr code color and contrast: print a proof on cotton care labels (outdoor coroplast) at no less than 2 cm across and scan from across a table with the camera you expect guests to use. Export PDF for the printer and keep a quiet zone of at least four modules on every side. Higher error correction (Q or H) survives scuffs and logos and makes a denser module grid. Redirect and landing-page types stay editable after ink because the printed modules encode a SmartQRCode URL. Wi-Fi stays the exception: not editable after printing and not trackable, so reprint when the password changes. A Canva one-off or other free static generator is still the right tool when this search-gaps job will never need a destination change or a scan count. ISO/IEC 18004 still governs the pattern, independent of search-gaps.