Branded QR codes
Generate a QR code with your logo, for free and locally
A branded QR code scans as reliably as a plain one when you build it correctly. This workflow uses the QR code generator and the image watermark tool, both fully local.
Build a logo QR code locally
Three steps: generate, overlay, test.
Generate with headroom
Open the QR code generator, enter the URL, set error correction to high, and download a large PNG.
Overlay the logo
Open the image watermark tool, load the QR image, and center the logo at about 20 to 25 percent of the code width.
Export cleanly
Export as PNG to avoid JPG artifacts around the logo edges.
Test like a user
Scan the file from a phone, then scan a printed copy at a realistic distance before distributing it.
Ways to brand a QR code
Several routes exist; the local workflow keeps artwork private.
Generate then overlay
Create the code with the QR code generator at high error correction, then center the logo with the image watermark tool.
Best free, private workflowDesign tools
Vector editors give total control over colors and logo placement, but require software skills and licenses.
Best for production design teamsAll-in-one generators
Many paid services offer built-in logo options, but they upload your URL and artwork to their servers and charge per code.
Best when convenience beats privacyWhy error correction makes logos possible
QR codes embed redundant data so scanners can reconstruct damaged codes. Level H restores up to 30 percent, which is the budget a centered logo spends. The three corner finder squares must stay clear, but the center region tolerates an overlay.
Keep the payload short. Long URLs create denser codes with less spare capacity; a URL shortener gives the logo more room.
Logo sizing that keeps codes scannable
The safe logo size is about 20 to 25 percent of the code width. Larger logos consume the data area and make scanning fail from a distance, on low-quality prints, or in poor light. If you want a bigger logo, put it beside the code instead of inside it.
- Use a transparent PNG logo with internal padding for the cleanest look.
- Keep a quiet margin of at least 4 modules around the whole code.
- Test the smallest size the code will be printed at.
- Re-test after any color or background change.
Jump to tool
Create your branded QR code now
Start with the QR code generator at high error correction, then add your logo with the image watermark tool. Free and fully local.
Open QR Code GeneratorWhy logo QR codes fail to scan
- Logos covering more than a quarter of the code destroy the data area
- Low error correction leaves no budget for the overlay
- Missing quiet margins confuse scanners at the code edges
- Dark backgrounds or low-contrast prints defeat phone cameras
Branded QR code practices
- Always generate at the highest error correction level
- Keep the logo between 20 and 25 percent of the code width
- Export as PNG and test on a printed copy
- Use a URL shortener for long addresses
Frequently asked questions
How large can the logo be?
About 20 to 25 percent of the code width is the safe range at high error correction. Anything larger risks scan failures, especially on prints and at distance.
Which error correction level do I need?
Level H, roughly 30 percent recovery. It gives the logo room to sit in the center while the scanner reconstructs the covered data.
Do I need paid software to add the logo?
No. The QR code generator and the image watermark tool cover the whole workflow in your browser, free and without an account.
Why does my branded code fail when printed?
Common causes: logo too large, code too dense, small print size, low contrast, or glare from glossy stock. Shrink the logo, shorten the URL, and retest the printed version at a realistic distance.
Your URL and artwork stay local
Both tools in this workflow run in your browser. The QR code is generated and the logo overlay is applied on your device, so your URL and artwork are never uploaded to a third party.
Open QR Code Generator