Printing and export

Gloss, curves, fabric and foil

Anything that reflects, bends or stretches costs scan attempts. Gloss throws glare, curved packaging distorts the grid, and fabric and foil shift the modules. The fix is more size, more contrast and a physical test — never a bigger logo.

Reviewed August 20, 2026

Steps

1. On gloss, prefer a matt patch behind the code, or angle the placement away from overhead lighting.
2. On a curve, keep the code on the flattest available panel and make it smaller in the direction of the bend.
3. On fabric, increase the size generously — weave blurs module edges.
4. On foil or metallic stock, print a solid light background under the code rather than letting the substrate show through.
5. Test on the real material, from the real angle, under the real lights.

How to check it worked

Scan the physical proof from several angles and under two lighting conditions. It should read first time from each.

What usually goes wrong

• Testing a bottle label flat, then wrapping it around the bottle.
• Approving a proof under office lighting for a code that lives in a sunlit window.
• Relying on error correction to survive a material problem.