Coloured QR codes that still scan

Can a QR code be in colour?

Yes, a QR code doesn’t have to be black and white: the phone looks for dark areas on a light background, not a particular colour. Navy, burgundy or forest green on white read very well.

In the Scanotte app you choose the dot and background colours, the dot and corner shapes, and you can add a logo.

Which colours should I avoid?

Light dots on a dark background (inverted codes), which many readers don’t recognise, and colours too close to each other, like yellow on white or grey on grey.

Watch out for gradients and photo backgrounds behind the code too: some squares may lose their contrast.

• Yellow, light orange or pale pink for the dots.
• A dark background with light dots.
• Red on green or blue on purple at similar brightness.
• A photo or texture behind the code.

How do I know my contrast is enough?

Scanotte calculates the contrast between your two colours and shows a warning if it’s too low. A simple test helps too: print the code in greyscale; if it stays clearly dark on light, that’s a good sign.

What about a coloured surface?

Put the code on a light square, even if the rest of the poster or pack is dark. That light frame doubles as the margin the scan needs.

For packaging, see also QR codes on product labels: gloss and curves matter as much as colour.

Do colours change when printed?

Yes, a colour on screen can come out lighter or duller on paper, especially uncoated paper. A printed proof is the only real test.

Before printing: dark dots on a light background, at least 2 cm (about 0.8 in) wide, a small logo if any, and a test with two different phones. If a phone hesitates, darken the dots or make the code bigger; see the minimum size.

Which dot shapes should I choose?

Classic square dots are the safest, but rounded dots and corners read very well too as long as size and contrast are good. They give a softer look that suits invitations or consumer brands.

Don’t stack every bold choice at once: light colour, tiny dots, big logo and small size. Change one setting, test, then move on to the next.

What if my brand colour is light?

Keep the dots dark — black or a deep shade — and use your brand colour around the code: the frame, the call to action, the background panel. The code stays readable and the whole thing still feels on-brand.

A light brand colour can also work as a background if the dots are dark enough; Scanotte’s contrast warning tells you when it isn’t.