A world of difference between QR codes intended for computer screens, video and TV and those used for printed matter.

Choosing the right QR code colour

And it even applies to black and white QR codes too. There are two basic colour models that are interesting for QR codes. The one for 2D codes displayed on computer screen, used in video or on television. This colour model is called 'RGB' (Red Green Blue). The second is used in the printing industry for printing coloured text, images, graphics and of course QR codes as well. This colour model is called CMYK (Cyan Magenta Yellow Black).

These two colour models are complete opposites of each other. Lets see how this works....

RGB 

Is used for radiant media like computer screens and television it is made up of three basic colours : red green and blue. If all colours are not used (switched off) you have a black screen. As you add more of each colour it becomes lighter. Adding 100% of each colour will then give as result a white screen. Thus the more colour, the lighter it shows.

CMYK 

Used for reflective media, like white paper. It is made up of four basic colours with one (Black) being an interesting one. Here no colours (or ink) means a white sheet of paper, and the more of a colour you add the darker it becomes. It is thus the exact opposite of radiant media. using Cyan + Magenta + Yellow should give us black, but instead it turns into a very dirty bark brown, and costs a lot of ink from each colour to achieve this. So black is added as fourth colour to ensure a solid black colour and minimize the amount of colour ink(s) needed to achieve this.

RGB Colour Model	CMYK Colour Model

From this we can see that printing QR codes created with a RGB colour model may look great on your screen, but your printer does not want them as even if your QR code is black and white, the black will translate to 100% cyan, 100% magenta and 100% yellow which is exactly what you printer does not want.

Sample PDF QR Code using each colour model, see which one your printer prefers. Click on the images below to download the PDF files.

RGB PDF QR Code	CMYK PDF QR Code

So next time you create a QR code, think first where it is going to be used, for display on a screen or for printing and choose the correct colour model to get the right results. If required for both media it is advisable to generate it twice using both colour models.

Creating custom QR codes

Most of us have seen the black and white square barcodes called QR codes here and there but more and more QR codes in colour and with logo's embedded in them are popping up. And yip they are even scanable and work just like their monochrome version.

 Making designer QR codes

It is advisable to first do some homework on making QR codes using colour, 'what colour is your QR code' (Dutch), 'Colourful QR Codes' and 'Transparent QR Codes' are three articles that explain how best to use colours and transparency when making QR codes.There are on-line services that allow you to upload a logo or graphics and create your own designer QR code, two of these can be found at

• QR Code generator with logo embedding (Dutch)
• Branded QR Code generator

 QR Code Designer Service

Should you not be able to create a custom QR code you your liking, there are also QR code designer services on offer. It can save you time and frustration by having your unique QR code made by a professional agency with knowledge about QR codes.

Two companies offering QR code design services are:

• 0D0A - Custom QR Code Designs
• QR4 - Designer QR Code Service

 Have questions about custom QR codes or need advice, please contact us for more information.

Automating QR codes

Using data files to generate loads of QR codes, how to do it.

Ever needed to create a load of QR codes and wished there was a way you could use a data file and get back a load of ready to use QR codes? Well now you can.

Online QR Code Batching

This online service accepts Excel spreadsheets in the right format, then creates the QR codes in the format you require (bitmap/vector or both) and returns these in a zipped folder which is ready for immediate downloading. To match the generated QR codes to your data file, the system uses the row number and the caption text (if any way provided). This way you can easily match which QR code belongs to which data record.

Just download the ZIP file and extract the QR codes.

Next time you need QR codes fast and have not got the time to tpye it all in by hand and request then one by one, try the online batch QR code generator at QR4. We do with QR codes what others only talk about.

The thin line between quality QR codes

Most generators found on-line and offline create 'bitmap' QR codes, these images or pictures are made from a series of dots called 'pixels' and generally intended for display on a computer screen or monitor. Each image has just so many dots as is required to display the image at a set size. But what happens when you need a QR code to display perfectly no matter what size you want it.

The difference between a bitmap QR codes and vector QR codes

Below are two identical QR codes, one is bitmap and the other is a vector representation, both generated at the same original size.

Bitmap QR Code	Vector QR Code
Bitmap QR Zoom	Vector QR Zoom
Bitmap QR block	Vector QR block

Comparing the two different types of QR code files by zooming in clearly shows that the bitmap looses clarity and becomes fuzzy. This may explain why Blackberry QR Code readers have so much trouble reading these codes ;)

Bitmap QR codes are great for displaying on a screen, but often fall short when it comes to being used with most types of printed collateral.

Why do the vector QR codes retain their clarity under any magnification

The reason is simple. Vector QR codes are made of lines and then filled in with ink. so it does not matter whether a QR code bock is 1 mm by 1 mm or 1 m by 1 m. In each case a box is drawn to the required dimensions and then filled with a colour, leaving a perfect clear square no matter how large or how small you make the QR code.

Postscript Vector QR Code Outline	Postscript Vector QR Code Filled

Interesting to note is that this generator takes the 'Quiet Zone', the required border around the QR Code into account
Click on the image below to download the EPS (Encapsulated PostScript) file that generated this QR code.

The QR code about were created by the generic matrix to vector processor developed by QR4 which is an industrial QR code generator capable of generating variable and dynamic QR codes faster than the print speed of any digital printer, and is also available on-line for 24/7 use for all our clients.

Next time your need to print QR codes, require quality results, a happy printer, and QR codes that just work better, use vector or Postscript QR codes, you will be surprised at the quality and efficiency.

For more information on the high speed EPS QR Code Generator please contact one of our members closest to you.

Ideas for identity is the title of this QR code that for the QR illiterate may just look like a complex logo. But in fact it is a call for help.

The company Spiegel Communicatie & Creatie is looking for a communication adviser. Using QR codes for recruiting is nothing new anymore, in the Netherlands it is used regularly by several large companies. So what makes this one so special.

This is a serious call for a communication adviser as it appears they desperately need one.

Marketing and communication agencies in this day and age should be working with and have knowledge about new media and cross-media systems and services, including QR codes. It is always interesting to see how these tools are implemented, as it indicates the level of understanding by the way it is executed.

Breaking the golden rule: Can you read this? Can you navigate on this site?

Did someone forget to tell them that most QR codes are scanned by mobile-phones with small screens and that many only have touch screens and no other navigation options. Apparently not! Or was this done on purpose to show their ignorance and need?

If you do take the trouble to 'zoom in' and loose page oversight you see they also expect this person to be an account manager, so it is a combo job...'a creative account manager' Looking at the functional requirements for the job it would appear my expertise reaches beyond their need, however their use of QR codes clearly indicates this request for a communication adviser/account manager is desperately needed and could be a great opportunity for people who do know how to use new media systems efficiently and effectively to help this company become more efficient and effective.