PNG QR code to 100k Black

Forum|Forum|1 year ago
March 29, 2025
1 reply
1167 views

Hi everyone,

I am working on a print project that includes QR codes. The printer informed me that all QR codes need to be 100% K black. How can I set this up in Photoshop? I know how to do this with an SVG file, but I only have PNGs for the QR codes. I just want to make sure it's done correctly and that the QR codes remain scannable once printed.

Thank you very much for your help!

macOS

D Fosse

Community Expert

100K applies to CMYK, so PNGs can't be used. PNG doesn't support CMYK. Once you have a CMYK document it's simple. Just make sure it's 100% in the K channel, and zero in the other three.

That said, a QR code should normally be made as a vector object. Anything involving vector elements and text shouldn't be made in Photoshop in the first place. Then you make it in InDesign, placing elements created in Photoshop or Illustrator as needed.

M

MateomonoAuthor

Known Participant

@D FosseSo, I would need to convert it to CMYK in Photoshop?

Since a vector would be better, is there a way to convert it in InDesign? Maybe something like Image Trace? Unfortunately, I can't get new QR codes and am stuck with the provided PNG versions. Also, the QR codes don’t have text.

D Fosse

Community Expert

@Stephen MarshThank you for the explanation! Great, then I will do that, and it should fix my issue. One question I still have—would it be wise to consider image tracing the PNG in Illustrator so that it becomes a vector and can easily be changed to 100K black?

It depends on whether it would ever need to be scaled in any way. QR codes, barcodes etc need to be perfectly crisp and sharp, and if it's a pixel image any scaling will blur it. Vector data, OTOH, are always sharp at any reproduction size.

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