How to Add Frames to QR Codes to Boost Scans

Many QR Codes fail to get scanned, not because they’re broken, but because people don’t know what they’re scanning for. A plain QR Code on a poster gives no context for what it will lead to. A discount? A menu? A video? That uncertainty kills engagement.

Adding a frame with a clear call to action changes this. The frame grabs attention, while the frame text tells people precisely what they’ll get.

But here’s the catch: customizing QR Codes can break their scannability if not done correctly. Each element contains information directing you to your destination, and tampering with the wrong parts renders them useless.

This guide shows you how to design frames (including seasonal themes like Halloween) that drive scans while maintaining perfect scannability across all devices. Let’s start by understanding why adding frames to a QR Code leads to increased scans. 

Table of contents

1. How a QR Code frame impacts user behavior
2. Key components of a framed QR Code
3. How to create a QR Code with a frame 
4. Best practices for using QR Code frames
5. Real-world use cases and examples
6. Make your QR Codes stand out using frames
7. Frequently asked questions

How a QR Code frame impacts user behavior

Frames aren’t just decorative elements. They solve two critical problems: visibility and clarity. A frame makes your QR Code stand out and tells people exactly why they must scan it.

But the benefits go deeper. The right frame design can tap into seasonal excitement during promotions, while consistent frame styling builds long-term brand recognition across all your materials. Here’s how frames change user behavior:

Frames create visual contrast that attracts attention

Picture a QR Code on a busy retail shelf surrounded by product labels, price tags, and competing graphics. Without a frame, it’s just another element in the chaos. Add a bright orange or teal frame, and suddenly the contrast creates a spotlight effect that immediately draws the eye.

For example, a local bookstore can add an orange-framed QR Code to their author event posters. Against neutral backgrounds, those frames immediately make the QR Code pop and capture visitors’ attention. 

Frames provide direction and remove hesitation

A plain QR Code on a business card or poster gives users no idea where that scan will take them. Will it open a website, download something, or subscribe them to a mailing list? That ambiguity prevents most people from scanning. 

This is where frame texts make all the difference. A specific, clear CTA can increase conversion rates by 161%. So, when it comes to QR Codes, while a generic “Scan Me” is better than nothing, adding a frame with text such as “Scan for 20% Off” or “Get the Menu ” eliminates the guesswork. 

Users now know exactly what they’re getting before they scan, which makes them far more likely to scan the QR Code. 

Festive frames tap into seasonal excitement

Standard professional frames shouldn’t be the default choice when running a Halloween promotion. Themed frames with pumpkins, ghosts, and seasonal colors work better.

Why? Because seasonal design creates emotional resonance. During October, a playful Halloween frame feels timely and relevant. It signals that this is a limited-time thing, which adds urgency.

For example, a coffee shop can use Halloween-themed QR Code frames on table tents for its seasonal menu. This perfectly matches the campaign timing and can drive higher engagement. The same principle applies to Christmas, Valentine’s Day, or any other seasonal moment. Match the frame to the calendar when it makes sense.

Standard frames build consistent brand recognition

Consistency matters more than seasonal variety for campaigns that run year-round (such as contact cards, product information, and feedback collection).

That’s where standard frames in brand colors shine. For example, people recognize it as a visual signature when a real estate agent uses the same teal-framed QR Code across business cards, property flyers, and yard signs. The frame becomes part of their brand identity.

Key components of a framed QR Code 

Every effective QR Code frame includes some crucial elements that need to be understood before designing to strike the right balance between scannability and customizability:

1. Frame border: The outer shape that creates visual separation from everything else on the page
2. Frame text zone: Where CTAs such as “Scan Me,” “Get Offer,” or “Watch Video” appear
3. Quiet zone: The white space around the QR Code must remain clear. Scanners need this margin to detect and read the pattern. Block it, and the QR Code won’t scan.
4. Contrast: Dark QR Code on light background is the standard for a reason. High contrast ensures readability in all lighting conditions.
5. Brand elements: Optional logos or colors that reinforce identity without getting in the way of functionality.

Manually optimizing all these technical aspects after adding a frame is challenging and time-consuming. Plus, if you get any of these components wrong, your QR Code won’t scan. That’s why it’s better to use a professional QR Code generator that lets you add and customize your desired frame during the creation stage itself. 

Here’s how to do it.

How to create a QR Code with a frame 

Before you begin, ask yourself: What’s the goal of this campaign?

Driving people to a landing page? Sharing contact information? Promoting a time-sensitive offer? The answer determines what type of QR Code to choose and which frame style will work best.

For this example, we’ll create a Halloween-framed QR Code that links to a homepage.

Step 1: Sign up and start creating

Sign up for a free profile on The QR Code Generator (TQRCG). Click + Create QR Code and select your QR Code type from the list. For this example, we’re using a URL QR Code.

Step 2: Enter your QR Code details

Once you select your QR Code type (URL, vCard, PDF, etc.), you must enter the required information. For a URL QR Code, paste the destination link you want people to reach when they scan.

Step 3: Customize your QR Code design

Before selecting a frame, customize your QR Code to match your brand. Add your logo and brand colors and adjust elements such as patterns and eye shapes to align with your brand identity. 

💡 Pro tip: You can also scroll down, choose one of the existing templates, and modify it to your liking.

Once you’re satisfied with the rest of the design, scroll down to the frames section.

Step 4: Select your frame style

Scroll down and choose any of the frames you like and select it. 

TQRCG offers two frame categories:

Standard frames feature clean colors (teal, orange, blue, red, purple) with customizable frame texts. These work for professional, year-round campaigns.

Festive frames include seasonal graphics such as Halloween characters, Christmas themes, and Valentine’s Day elements. Use these when the timing matches your campaign and you want to create that seasonal connection.

💡 Pro tip: TQRCG automatically displays festive frames first based on current holidays. To see standard frames first, toggle off the Festive frames button on the right.

Step 5: Add your frame text

This is where you tell people why they must scan. Type your preferred CTA in the frame text section.

Note: Frame text customization is only available with standard frames in TQRCG. If you’re using festive frames, you must manually add CTAs after downloading. 

For standard frames, keep your frame texts short:

• “Scan Me” (safe default)
• “Get Coupon” (clear benefit)
• “Watch Video” (specific action)
• “Join Now” (creates urgency)
• “See Menu” (contextual value)

Step 6: Match colors and verify design

Click the color picker to select the colors for your frame and frame text. Ensure that the frame and text colors have good contrast for visibility. 

Pick a frame color that matches your brand colors when possible. Financial advisors should probably skip the Halloween pumpkin frame, but boutique cafes running seasonal promotions should lean into it.

💡 Pro tip: TQRCG’s frame system automatically preserves the quiet zone spacing around your QR Code and alerts you in real time if any customization could impact scannability. It catches potential issues during creation, saving you from having to test and troubleshoot which element is breaking your QR Code.

Step 7: Download and test your QR Code

Name your QR Code and choose the desired format to download. Click Download.

Before bulk printing or deploying, test your framed QR Codes thoroughly. This includes testing on multiple devices, under different lighting, and at various angles and distances.

This testing phase catches problems before they become expensive mistakes.

Step 8 (Optional but recommended): Track performance and optimize 

Creating the QR Code is just the beginning. If you’re using dynamic QR Codes, tracking performance reveals what’s actually working with your frame choices.

You can run parallel campaigns with different frame styles. Measure the scan lift between framed and plain QR Codes and document which frame colors and styles drive the most engagement. This will become your playbook for future campaigns. 

And for seasonal campaigns, use festive frames and track the lift compared to standard frames during the same period. Do Halloween designs actually drive more scans in October? By how much? Document these results to make data-driven decisions about seasonal campaigns in the future.

Use TQRCG’s dynamic QR Codes to access analytics that track scan volume by frame type, helping you optimize your design choices for maximum impact.

Best practices for using QR Code frames

Now that you know how to create framed QR Codes, let’s explore the frame design principles that distinguish high-performing QR Codes from those that are ignored. 

Framed QR Codes best practices in action

Here’s how the best practices (or lack thereof) actually look in practice:

What works

Standard professional frame:

• A clear CTA  positioned above or below the QR Code
• High-contrast frame on a light background
• The quiet zone is completely visible with proper margins
• Brand colors integrated without compromising function
• Large enough to scan easily from five feet away
• Clean, readable typography

A standard frame is the gold standard. It does everything right without being fancy.

Festive Halloween frame:

• Playful pumpkin or ghost graphics create seasonal appeal
• Decorative elements stay outside the quiet zone
• High contrast is maintained despite the themed design
• Perfect for October campaigns and limited-time Halloween promotions

The festive design adds personality without sacrificing functionality.

What doesn’t work

• The invisible QR Code: Light blue frame on a white background with no CTA. This QR Code would go unnoticed.
• The cluttered disaster: Decorative border intrudes on the quiet zone, tiny text CTA that’s unreadable from three feet away, busy background pattern behind the QR Code.
• The mystery QR Code: No frame, no CTA, no context. Just a lonely QR Code expecting people to scan it out of curiosity.
• The contrast failure: Dark gray QR Code on a black background. It might work in perfect lighting with a premium phone camera, but it won’t work anywhere else.

If you see any of these issues, return to the design phase. 

Real-world use cases and examples

Now that we understand how to make the perfect QR Code frames. Let’s look at them in action. 

QR Code on retail packaging to drive product engagement

QR Code on retail packaging example: Frame + “Scan for recipe ideas” on a specialty ingredient package.

The goal is to extend engagement beyond the purchase. With the frame text, customers get immediate value (recipe ideas), and the brand gets a chance to drive repeat purchases through email capture on the landing page.

A single clear benefit is stated upfront, and the customers know exactly what they’re scanning for.

QR Codes on event signage to boost registrations

QR Codes on event signage example: Festive Halloween frame + “Scan to RSVP” on promotional posters for a costume party.

This themed design creates excitement and reinforces that this is a special, limited-time event. The frame text is friction-free and straightforward. 

QR Codes on business cards to simplify contact sharing

QR Codes on business cards example: Professional frame + “Contact us” with a vCard QR Code.

By using a well-framed vCard QR Code, users can save all contact information with one scan, without anyone having to type it manually. This makes it memorable, convenient, and positions the person as a professional.

QR Codes on restaurant table tents to simplify ordering

QR Codes on restaurant table tents example: Frame + “Scan to order” on table tents in a fast-casual restaurant.

A colored frame makes the QR Code impossible to miss in a busy restaurant with menus and promotional materials competing for attention. The specific frame text “Scan to order” tells customers exactly what they’ll get (the ordering interface, not just browsing), increasing scan likelihood.

QR Codes on digital presentations to extend engagement

QR Codes on digital presentations example: Slide with framed QR Code + “Download resources” during a conference talk.

A bold frame ensures the QR Code remains visible even in large auditoriums with varying screen quality against a projected slide background. The specific frame text “Download Resources” creates urgency and clarity, prompting immediate action while attendees are engaged, rather than a generic “Scan Me” that people might ignore or postpone.

Make your QR Codes stand out using frames

A well-designed frame transforms a QR Code from a static graphic into an active call to action, helping it stand out in crowded environments. The key is balance: frames should enhance visibility without affecting scannability.

Whether you’re running year-round campaigns with clean, professional designs or limited-time promotions with seasonal frames like Halloween themes, the same principles apply: make it clear, valuable, and easy to scan.

The best part? You don’t need design expertise. Tools like The QR Code Generator (TQRCG) offer ready-to-use frame templates optimized for visibility and function. Just choose a style, add short frame text, and you’re ready to go.

Ready to create framed QR Codes that actually get scanned? Sign up for TQRCG’s free QR Code generator to get two free dynamic QR Codes that never expire, customize them, and track results with built-in analytics.

Frequently asked questions