How to customise and design your QR code – Uplifter Limited

You can customise the appearance of your QR code to match your brand while keeping it easy to scan. The QR code editor lets you change the logo, background, QR pattern, corner styling and frame.

As you make changes, use the preview on the right-hand side to see how your QR code will look. When you’re finished, always test the QR code before publishing or printing it.

Logo

Use the Logo section to add or update a logo in the centre of your QR code.

Replace logo lets you upload a different logo, while the bin icon removes the current logo.
Dots behind logo controls whether the QR code pattern continues behind the logo.
- Leaving this switched off creates a clearer area around the logo, which can make the logo easier to see.
Logo margin (px) increases or decreases the amount of clear space surrounding the logo.

Pro tip: Keep your logo relatively small. A large logo can cover too much of the QR pattern and reduce scan reliability. Give the logo some margin so it is visually separated from the QR dots.

Background

The Background section controls the area behind the QR pattern.

Colour choose a preset colour or enter your own brand colour using a Hex value.
- For example: #FFFFFF = white
QR shape choose the overall shape of the QR code:
- Square creates a traditional square QR code.
- Circle gives the overall design a more rounded appearance.
Margin (px) controls the clear space between the QR pattern and the outside edge of the QR code. Increasing the margin creates more breathing room around the code.
Corner rounding to soften the outer corners of the QR code background.
- A low value keeps the QR code relatively square, while a higher value creates rounded corners.

Pro tip: Don't remove too much margin. The blank area surrounding a QR code — often called the quiet zone — helps phone cameras distinguish the QR code from surrounding graphics and text.

Dots

The Dots section controls the main pattern that makes up your QR code.

Style choose the shape used for the QR pattern.
- For example: Rounded creates softer, rounded QR elements rather than traditional square blocks. Different styles allow you to give your QR codes a more distinctive branded appearance.
Colour choose a preset colour or enter an exact Hex value.
- For example: #000000 = black

Pro tip: The QR pattern should have strong contrast against its background. Dark dots on a light background are generally the safest combination. Avoid combinations such as light grey on white or similar colours with very little contrast.

Corner squares

The three larger markers positioned in the corners of a QR code help scanning devices locate and orientate the code. The Corner squares section lets you customise these markers separately from the main QR pattern.

Style choose a style such as Extra rounded to change the appearance of the outside portion of the corner markers.
Colour choose a preset colour or enter your own Hex value.
- For example: #000000 = black
- Match the corner squares to your QR dots or use one of your brand colours.

Pro tip: Although corner squares can be styled, they should remain clearly recognisable. Extreme styling or very low contrast can make QR codes harder to scan.

Corner dots

The Corner dots are the smaller shapes inside each of the three corner squares.

Style choose a style such as Extra rounded to customise their appearance.
Colour select a preset colour or enter a Hex value.
- Using different colours for the corner squares and corner dots can create a more distinctive design.

Pro tip: If you're using several colours, make sure every part of the QR code still stands out clearly against the background.

Frame

A frame can help your QR code stand out and can also tell people what will happen when they scan it or the short link URL if they can't scan it.

Include frame select Include frame to display a border around your QR code.
Frame width (px) change the thickness of the frame in pixels.
Frame rounding adjust how rounded the corners of the frame appear.
Frame colour choose one of the preset colours or enter a custom Hex value.
- Useful to introduce a primary brand colour without changing the readability of the QR pattern itself.
Top text add a short message above the QR code. For example: Scan to visit
Bottom text Add a message underneath the QR code. For example: Scan to learn more
Text colour Select the colour used for your frame text.

Pro tip: A small call to action can significantly improve usability. Instead of displaying a QR code without explanation, tell people why they should scan it — for example, Scan to register, View the menu, or Find out more.

Saving your changes

When you've finished customising your QR code, check the preview and choose how you want to use the design in the bottom right button:

Save for next link will only keep the design temporarily for the next link you create
Update template will overwrite the existing template you edited
Save as new template will create a new template you can name and save

Before using the QR code in an email, poster, advert, packaging or other marketing material, scan it with your phone to make sure it works as expected.

Tips for creating reliable QR codes

Prioritise contrast. Dark QR elements on a light background normally provide the most reliable scanning.
Keep enough empty space around the QR code. Avoid placing text8 or images immediately against it.
Don't make the logo too large. Logos are useful for branding, but the QR pattern needs to work.
Keep important corner markers clear. These are essential for helping cameras identify the QR code.
Use brand colours selectively. A coloured frame, logo or corner treatment can provide strong branding without compromising the QR pattern.
Pair with a short link. Users can type on their phone if they can't take a picture or are too far away.
Add a clear call to action. Tell users what they'll get when they scan.
Consider where the QR code will appear. Codes on posters viewed from several metres away need to be considerably larger than QR codes on a leaflet.
Test at the final size. A code that scans on your computer screen may not after being shrunk for print.
Test several devices. Where possible, check the finished QR code using both iPhone and Android cameras.
Test before publishing. Always use the test your QR code before use reminder in the editor before approving the final design.

A useful rule

Brand the QR code, but don't disguise it.

A logo, rounded dots, custom colours and a frame can make a QR code feel much more consistent with your brand. However, usability should always take priority over decoration.