Creating Custom QR Codes: A Step-by-Step Guide
A custom QR code turns a boring black-and-white square into something that actually matches your brand - your colors, your logo, your style. And creating one takes about five minutes.
In this guide, I'll walk you through how to create a custom QR code step by step - from picking the right type to adding your logo to testing it before you print. I've generated QR codes for over 150,000 digital business cards since 2020, so I've seen what works (and what breaks scanners).
Let's get into it.
What You'll Learn
- Static vs. dynamic: Which QR code type you actually need (and when free is fine)
- Step-by-step tutorial: Create a custom QR code with your logo and brand colors in 5 minutes
- Design rules that matter: Colors, sizes, and patterns that scan reliably every time
- Print vs. digital: File formats, minimum sizes, and resolution requirements
- Free tools: The best QR code generators I've actually tested
What Is a Custom QR Code?
A custom QR code is a standard QR code that's been styled to match your brand. Instead of the default black-and-white grid, you can change the colors, swap the dot shapes, round the corners, and even drop your logo in the center.
The key part: it still scans exactly like a regular QR code. The underlying data structure is the same. You're just customizing the visual layer.
Why bother? Because a branded QR code builds recognition. When someone sees your QR code on a flyer, a business card, or a product package, the colors and logo immediately tell them it's yours. Generic black squares all look the same - custom ones don't.
Static vs. Dynamic QR Codes: Which Do You Need?
Before you start customizing, you need to decide between static and dynamic. This choice matters more than most people realize.
Static QR codes encode the destination URL directly into the pattern. Once generated, the link is permanent. You can't change it, and you can't track scans. But they're free, they work forever, and they don't depend on any third-party service staying online.
Dynamic QR codes use a redirect URL - so the pattern points to a short link that forwards to your final destination. That means you can change where the code points after printing, and you get scan analytics (how many, when, where, what device).
My rule of thumb: Static is fine for personal use or one-off projects. Dynamic is the move for business cards, marketing materials, product packaging, or anything you'll print at scale. For a deeper breakdown, check out our guide on static vs. dynamic QR codes.
How to Create a Custom QR Code (Step-by-Step)
Here's the exact process I use. It works regardless of which generator you pick.
Step 1: Choose Your QR Code Type
Most generators ask you to pick what kind of content the code should hold. Common options:
- URL - Links to a website, landing page, or profile (most common)
- vCard - Encodes contact info directly (name, phone, email)
- Wi-Fi - Lets people join your network by scanning
- Plain text - Displays a message (no internet needed)
- Email/SMS - Pre-fills a message to your address
- PDF or file - Links to a downloadable document
For business cards and marketing materials, URL is almost always the right choice. It gives you the most flexibility and lets you use dynamic tracking.
Step 2: Pick a QR Code Generator
You don't need a paid tool to create a solid custom QR code. Here are the ones I've tested and trust:
- QR Code Monkey - Best free option. Full customization, no account needed.
- Canva - Great if you're already designing in Canva. QR generator built into the editor.
- QR Code Generator - Solid for dynamic codes with analytics (paid plans).
I'll cover these in more detail in the free tools section below.
Step 3: Enter Your Content or URL
Paste in the URL you want the code to point to. A few tips:
- Use a short URL. Fewer characters = simpler QR pattern = easier to scan at small sizes.
-
Add UTM parameters if you want to track traffic in Google Analytics (e.g.,
?utm_source=qr&utm_medium=print). - Double-check the link before generating. I can't tell you how many people skip this step and print codes with broken URLs. 😬
Step 4: Customize Colors and Shapes
Here's where the "custom" part happens. Most generators let you adjust:
- Foreground color - The dots/modules (default: black). Use your brand's primary color.
- Background color - The space behind the dots (default: white). Keep it light.
- Dot shape - Square, rounded, dots, diamonds. Rounded tends to look more modern.
- Corner squares - The three large squares in the corners. You can round these or add unique shapes.
The golden rule: Dark foreground on light background. Always. I'll explain why in the design tips section.
Step 5: Add Your Logo
Most custom QR code generators let you upload a logo to the center of the code. This is the single biggest branding upgrade you can make.
- Upload a square version of your logo (PNG with transparent background works best).
- Keep the logo to about 10-15% of the total QR code area - any bigger and you risk scan failures.
- The generator should automatically set error correction to High (H) when you add a logo, but double-check.
I'll go deeper on logo placement in the next section.
Step 6: Test and Download
Before you download - test the code. Open your phone camera and scan it. Every single time.
- Test on both iPhone and Android (they use different scanning engines).
- Test at the size you'll actually use it - a QR code that scans at 3 inches might fail at 1 inch.
- Test in different lighting if it's going on printed material.
Then download in the right format: SVG for print (scales infinitely), PNG for digital (works everywhere). More on file formats below.
How to Add Your Logo to a QR Code
Adding a logo is the most popular customization, but it's also where most people mess things up. Here's what I've learned generating logos on QR codes for hundreds of teams.
Logo Size and Placement
Your logo sits in the center of the QR code, covering part of the data pattern. QR codes can handle this because of something called error correction - built-in redundancy that lets the code still scan even when part of it is obscured.
There are four error correction levels:
| Level | Recovery | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| L (Low) | 7% damage | No logo, digital-only use |
| M (Medium) | 15% damage | Small logo or minor styling |
| Q (Quartile) | 25% damage | Medium logos, good all-rounder |
| H (High) | 30% damage | Large logos, print materials |
Always use Level H when adding a logo. It gives you the most room for the logo without breaking the scan. Most good generators set this automatically, but always check.
Logo Format Tips
- Use PNG with a transparent background. JPGs add a white box around your logo that looks terrible against colored QR codes.
- Square logos work best. If yours is rectangular, add padding to make it square before uploading.
- Keep it simple. Detailed logos with thin lines get lost at small sizes. If your logo has a simplified icon version, use that.
- Add a small white border around the logo (2-3px) to separate it visually from the surrounding pattern.
Design Tips: Colors, Shapes, and Patterns That Actually Scan
Custom doesn't mean anything goes. Here are the design rules that keep your code functional.
Color Rules
- Dark on light. Always. QR scanners detect the contrast between the dark modules and the light background. Dark blue on white? Great. White on dark blue? Breaks on half the phones I've tested.
- Minimum 40% contrast ratio between foreground and background. If you're not sure, use a contrast checker tool.
- Avoid red/green combinations. About 8% of men have red-green color blindness, and these combos also confuse some camera sensors.
- Single-color foregrounds scan best. Gradients look cool but can reduce contrast in certain areas. If you use a gradient, make sure every part of it is dark enough against the background.
Shape and Pattern Tips
- Rounded dots look more modern and scan fine. Go for it.
- Keep the three corner squares (finder patterns) relatively standard. These are how the scanner locates the code. Stylize them lightly, but don't make them unrecognizable.
- Maintain the quiet zone. That's the blank border around the QR code. It needs to be at least 4 modules wide. Without it, the scanner can't tell where the code ends and the background begins.
Optimizing for Print and Digital
Where your QR code lives determines how you should export it.
File Formats
- SVG - The best format for print. It's vector-based, so it scales to any size without losing quality. Use this for business cards, posters, brochures, packaging.
- PNG - Best for digital use. Websites, email signatures, social media posts, presentations. Export at minimum 1000x1000 pixels.
- PDF - Good for print when your designer needs it in a specific layout. Most generators offer this.
- EPS - Another vector format some print shops prefer. Similar to SVG in quality.
Minimum Size
This is where people get into trouble. A QR code needs to be large enough for phone cameras to read it.
- Business cards: Minimum 0.8 inches (2 cm). I recommend at least 1 inch (2.5 cm) for reliability.
- Flyers and brochures: At least 1.2 inches (3 cm).
- Posters and banners: Scale based on scanning distance. Rule of thumb: the QR code should be 1/10th the scanning distance. A code scanned from 10 feet away needs to be at least 1 foot wide.
For a deep dive on sizing, check out our guide on how small a QR code can be.
Print Considerations
- Use CMYK color space for print files (your print shop will thank you). RGB is for screens only.
- Minimum 300 DPI for crisp output on printed materials.
- Test on the actual material. QR codes on matte paper scan differently than on glossy. Dark materials with light QR codes can cause glare issues.
QR Codes for Digital Business Cards
Here's where I see the biggest practical application of custom QR codes: digital business cards.
Every digital business card from Wave Connect comes with a built-in QR code that opens your profile in the recipient's browser - no app required. The recipient scans, sees your contact info, and can save it to their phone in one tap.
What makes this different from a regular URL QR code?
- Dynamic by default. You update your phone number or job title, and the QR code still works - no new code needed.
- Built-in analytics. You can see who scanned your code, when, and from where. Wave includes this free on every plan.
- Instant contact save. The QR code doesn't just link to a page - it triggers a vCard download so the contact goes straight into the recipient's phone.
- NFC + QR together. Our NFC business cards also have QR codes printed on the back, so you always have a backup sharing method.
Tracking Your QR Code Performance
If you're using QR codes for business, tracking scans is non-negotiable. Otherwise you're flying blind.
Most dynamic QR code generators give you:
- Total scan count - How many times the code has been scanned
- Unique vs. repeat scans - New people vs. return visitors
- Geographic data - Where scans are happening (city/country level)
- Device data - iOS vs. Android breakdown
- Time data - When scans happen (useful for event materials)
With Wave's platform, every card's QR code comes with free analytics. No paid plan required. You can see exactly how many people scanned your code, which is something most free digital business card platforms put behind a paywall.
?utm_source=qr&utm_medium=[where]&utm_campaign=[what]
Common Mistakes That Kill QR Code Scannability
I've seen all of these in the wild. Some of them from my own early projects. Learn from my mistakes.
- Inverting colors (light on dark). This is the #1 killer. Many phone cameras can't reliably scan light-colored codes on dark backgrounds. Always go dark on light.
- Making it too small. Especially on business cards. Below 0.8 inches and you're gambling. Check our QR code size guide for exact minimums by use case.
- Skipping the quiet zone. If your code butts up against text, images, or the edge of a card, scanners struggle to find the code boundaries.
- Using a dead or broken URL. Scan your code after generating it. Then scan it again before printing. I once caught a typo in a URL that would have gone on 2,000 brochures.
- Oversized logos. More than 15% coverage and you're asking for trouble. Error correction is impressive, but it has limits.
- Low-resolution exports for print. A blurry QR code won't scan. Use SVG or high-res PNG (300+ DPI) for anything printed.
- Not testing on multiple devices. A code that scans on your iPhone might not scan on someone's older Android. Always test across at least two different phones.
Best Free QR Code Generators (2026)
You don't need to pay for a custom QR code. Here are the four tools I recommend, each with a different strength.
1. Wave Connect - Best for Business Cards & Professional Use
Why it's my #1 pick: If your QR code is for sharing contact info - business cards, email signatures, conference materials - Wave gives you a custom, dynamic QR code automatically when you create your digital card. It's trackable, always up to date, and opens in the recipient's browser with no app required. Analytics are included free on every plan, and recipients never see "Powered by" branding or get solicited with pop-ups.
Best for: Professionals, sales teams, and anyone who wants a QR code that does more than just link to a URL - it triggers a one-tap contact save.
2. QR Code Monkey - Best Free Standalone Generator
Why I like it: Full color customization, logo upload, custom dot shapes, and SVG export - all free, no account required. This is the tool I point people to for standalone QR codes (Wi-Fi networks, URLs, plain text, etc.).
Limitations: Static codes only. No scan tracking. For dynamic codes, you'll need to look elsewhere or use a URL shortener with analytics.
3. Canva - Best for Design Integration
Why I like it: If you're already designing your flyer, business card, or social graphic in Canva, the built-in QR code generator drops right into your layout. Seamless workflow.
Limitations: Less customization than QR Code Monkey. You get basic color changes but fewer shape options. Dynamic codes require Canva Pro.
4. QR Code Generator - Best for Standalone Analytics
Why I like it: Strong dynamic code support with scan tracking, geographic data, and device breakdowns. Good if you need tracking for a non-contact-sharing use case.
Limitations: Free plan is limited. Full analytics and customization require a paid subscription. But the free tier is fine for testing.
My overall recommendation? If you're creating a QR code for a business card or contact sharing, skip the standalone generators entirely - Wave Connect gives you a dynamic, trackable, branded QR code automatically with your digital card. For everything else (Wi-Fi codes, URL links, event posters), QR Code Monkey is the best free option for static codes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a custom QR code?
A custom QR code is a standard QR code styled with your brand colors, logo, and custom dot shapes. It functions identically to a regular QR code but looks professional and on-brand.
How do I add my logo to a QR code?
Upload a square PNG logo (transparent background) to your QR generator and place it in the center, covering no more than 15% of the code area. Set error correction to High (H) to maintain scannability.
Are custom QR codes free to create?
Yes - tools like QR Code Monkey offer full customization including colors, shapes, and logo upload completely free. If you need a QR code for contact sharing, Wave Connect includes a custom dynamic QR code with free analytics on every plan. Standalone dynamic codes with tracking typically require a paid plan.
What's the difference between static and dynamic QR codes?
Static codes have a permanent, unchangeable destination. Dynamic codes use a redirect URL that you can update anytime and track scan analytics. Dynamic is better for business use.
What file format should I use for printing QR codes?
Use SVG (vector) for print materials - it scales to any size without losing quality. For digital use like websites or emails, PNG at 1000x1000 pixels or higher works great.
How small can a custom QR code be?
The practical minimum is about 0.8 inches (2 cm) for close-range scanning like business cards. For materials scanned from a distance, size the code at 1/10th of the expected scanning distance.
Can I change where my QR code points after printing?
Only with dynamic QR codes. Dynamic codes use a redirect URL that you can update anytime without reprinting. Static codes are permanent.
Do custom QR codes expire?
Static custom QR codes never expire. Dynamic codes depend on the service provider staying active - if the redirect service goes down, the code stops working.
What colors work best for QR codes?
Dark foreground colors on a light (ideally white) background work best. Maintain at least 40% contrast and avoid inverting the colors - light-on-dark codes fail frequently.
How do I track QR code scans?
Use a dynamic QR code generator with built-in analytics, or add UTM parameters to your URL and track in Google Analytics. Wave Connect includes free scan analytics with every digital business card.
Get a Custom QR Code with Your Digital Business Card
Every Wave Connect card comes with a branded, dynamic QR code - built in, trackable, and always up to date. No separate generator needed.
Create Your Free CardAbout the Author: George El-Hage is the Founder of Wave Connect, a browser-based digital business card platform serving 150,000+ professionals worldwide. With 6+ years helping organizations transition from paper to digital networking, George has deep expertise in QR code design, NFC technology, and contactless sharing. Wave Connect is SOC 2 Type II compliant and integrates with leading CRM platforms like Salesforce, HubSpot, and Pipedrive.
