QR Code Test Scan Made Simple: Here's How

QR Code Test Scan Made Simple: Here's How

Doing a QR code test scan is one of the most crucial steps to your QR journey and test if your QR codes work or not before you deploy them. 

QR code is a two-dimensional barcode that can be scanned in horizontal and vertical form.

These codes are then generated using a QR code generator online.

Unlike the standard barcode, QR codes have more capacity when it comes to the allowable amount of data it can input. 

For example, a QR code may contain a video file, a URL file, a PDF, word file that presents information to the end-user when the QR is scanned using the mobile device. 

However, like all of the technological advancement that is surging every now and then, it will always require doing a test to see how it works, how it works, and how it should.

Similar to QR codes, they also need to be tested before you print and deploy them to your marketing materials.

For the very reason for you to avoid a major fiasco to your campaign.

Furthermore, you also need to ensure that the QR codes can easily be detected, and redirects scanners to the right information.

Generating a sample QR code to do a test scan

Generate QR code

Even before you test QR code's readability, it is advisable to have a create a dummy QR code for testing to try out for yourself. 

For this, you can generate a free QR code solution in a static QR form, or you avail of the free dynamic QR code in QR TIGER.

A dynamic QR code will allow you to edit your QR code data and track your QR code scans.

With that being said, this allows you to get the most out of your QR code sample testing.

You can create a QR code example to test. Here’s how to do it:

  • Go to QR TIGER dynamic QR code generator online
  • Select the type of QR code solution
  • Click the “generate QR code button.”
  • Customize your QR code


How to run a QR code test and check if it works?

Now that you have generated your QR code, doing a test scan is one of the most crucial parts of your QR code journey.

One of the most convenient things about you, becoming a QR code tester, is that you will easily know if a QR code is functional or working by merely scanning it.

But before you test a QR code, you need to know how a generated successful QR code should be.

You should check for the following questions:

  • Does the QR code scan easily, considering you have followed the QR code design rules?
  • Does it scan from the desired distance where I place it?(in cases of printing your QR codes on billboards) 
  • Does it lead to the correct information you have input?
  • Does it work when scanned with different devices?

How to scan the QR code?

Before downloading or deploying your QR code, it's important to do a testing. You can check a QR code for testing using a QR code example to test it out first.

Scanning a QR code through mobile devices is how the QR code technology is designed for faster information sharing to the end-users.

Most smartphone devices already have built-in QR code scanners and even apps that we use like Twitter, LinkedIn, Messenger, Instagram, Snapchat and many more can scan QR codes. 

Developed apps like QR code scanners and generators have also made it convenient for this technology to boom in the market.

Here’s how you can scan a QR code using a smartphone

  • Open your smartphone device in a photo mode (if your camera app can’t read QR codes, you can opt for QR code reader apps or even use social media apps that can scan QR codes.
  • Point your camera towards the QR code
  • Wait for 2-3 seconds
  • Open the QR code content associated with it. It should lead you to online information

How to test a QR code online? 

Once you have generated your QR code using a QR code generator online, don’t hastily download and print thousand of them right away. Do QR codes test first. 

Here’s what you should do:

1. Scan the QR Code in various lighting levels

Scan test QR code

Do you want to get the most scans in daytime or night time or even both?

Lighting is very inconsistent all throughout the day, so it would be advisable to test or scan a QR code in different lighting levels. 

Low, medium, light, and bright light. 

If you have determined your time of day in which you would want your QR code to get most scans, and it doesn’t work, you can also adjust the contrast of your QR code color. 

Just make sure the background color of your QR code is lighter than its foreground. 

The next thing you can do after this displays your QR code in the desired area and try to do an actual test scan.

If your QR code doesn’t scan or doesn’t work, you can increase the code’s color contrast. 

2. Do a QR code test on different devices.

QR code scan

Sometimes, a QR code works in an Android phone but fails to scan in iPhone, or it could work in both. Even QR code readers and social media apps that can scan QR codes do not work.

The best for you to do is run a QR code for testing on using various devices and see if it functions. 

3. Test the distance of the QR code it will be scanned

First things first. What is the purpose of your QR code, and what is your target outcome for this campaign?

The QR code can either be scanned from a short distance or from a long-distance or even both depending on your purpose and target.  

If you plan on printing your QR code in a product packaging, business card, or in your wine bottles, there’s no need for you to make them scan from a long distance as this will only require to be scanned from a shorter distance.    

However, if you are planning to do a public display of your QR code, for instance, your printing a QR code on your billboard, you need to consider the distance the QR code will be scanned from and consider the size of your QR code. 

You might opt for a bigger size if you are planning to have your QR codes displayed on billboards or any advertising environment that will require your QR code to be scanned from a distance.

4. Test internet access in that area. 

If you’re using a QR code solution in a dynamic form, it will require internet access to be scanned and access the content online. 

Many public areas provide an internet access spot, so it would be advisable to place your QR code with Wi-Fi service in the nearby area. 

However, if your QR code solution is in static form, it will be scanned right away, even without internet access. 

Best practices when generating your QR code for it to have a better scan

1.Never invert your QR code colors

QR code readers and scanners are programmed to scan QR codes with a lighter QR code in the background and darker color in the foreground.

2.Pixelated QR code

Pixelated QR codes happen if you generated your QR code in a static form.

When you have a lot of information it is not advisable to use a static QR code.

This makes the codes stretched, which carries the data. 

If you have more data to put in your QR code, use a dynamic QR code solution as it allows you to unlimited input data without pixelating your codes.

3.Do not over-customize 

Making simple customization like adding a logo, icon, colors is enough to make your QR code stand-out.  

Less is always more. 

If you find your QR code is not working, you can check the 11 common reasons why your QR codes don’t work

QR code example to test

QR code image


Always do a QR test and check your QR code's results

To sum it up, when generating your QR code it is always important to remember to do a test scan before deploying them to make a quality and standard QR code.  

Just follow the simple best practices mentioned-above to make your QR code work effectively and efficiently. For more information about QR codes, contact us now. 

To ensure high-quality QR code production, generate your QR codes in QR TIGER QR code generator online. 

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