Why Won't My Code Scan?

MotifScan is designed to create QR codes that remain scannable while also matching the style of your selected image as closely as possible.

Most codes should scan reliably on modern smartphones when they are used at a clear size, with good lighting, and enough contrast. However, some designs may be harder to scan depending on the image, colors, shapes, and detail used in the final code.

Because MotifScan blends a real QR code with a styled visual design, certain reference images can make the code less reliable. Busy images, dark colors, low contrast, heavy detail, or unusual shapes may cause a code to scan slowly or not scan at all.

A code may also work on one device but not another. For example, it may scan on an iPhone but not on an Android device, or the other way around. Different phones and scanning apps use different QR scanning methods and may not read every design the same way.

If your code is not scanning, try regenerating it, using a simpler reference image, increasing the output size, or choosing a design with stronger contrast.

Scanning can also be affected by things outside of MotifScan, including the phone or scanning app being used, lighting conditions, print quality, physical print size, camera distance, viewing angle, and the surface or background around the code.

Before printing, publishing, or displaying your QR code publicly, always test it first. We recommend testing on both iPhone and Android, along with any other devices your customers or visitors are likely to use.