QR Codes Need High Contrast

SheaPrints
Valued Contributor

I just realized that 'Opacity' is also an option for QR codes. This could cause problems if customers change it too much, as there needs to be enough contrast between the foreground and background to prevent scanning issues. I recently had a customer review mentioning their black and white QR code wasn't working, so this might be the reason 🤔

5 REPLIES 5

MOM
Valued Contributor III

@SheaPrints   That’s so very true. And on top of it it’s a good thing to make it bigger than Zazzle’s editor actually allows you to because long URL cause the QR pattern to be more complex. I always use a very long URL to find the smallest allowed QR code size and then I just use a short URL which fits the product. On top of it a quiete zone (a small frame around the QR code like at https://www.zazzle.com/america_s_only_monarch_no_kings_day_march_28_qr_sign-256480248850127449 as an example) can also improve readability. Consider also the material of the product. I made a fanny pack for my self in the beginning of my „Zazzle career“ and while I totally love this fanny pack the QR code didn’t work - lesson learned. 😉

I wished though we could pick the color of the QR code as well, not just the background.

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SheaPrints
Valued Contributor

@MOMThat's really good information — they definitely need to be handled with care! I also agree about choosing the color of the QR code 😊

Pádraig
Moderator
Moderator

Hi @SheaPrints,

Thanks for the feedback. I will pass this along to our team for review.

Pádraig

James
Creator Team
Creator Team

The opacity is definitely and interesting one that I will mention. In regard to the color of the QR code, depending on the background color you choose, it will change from black or white to keep a high contrast.

SheaPrints
Valued Contributor

Thanks @James  😊

About the color, I think @MOM  and I were both thinking about choosing the color of the QR code, without having an inverted version of it. For example, a very dark navy on a white background would work, as long as there's high contrast with the background.

Screenshot_19-2-2026_14011_www.zazzle.com.jpeg