A business card QR code should be at least 0.8 inches (2 cm) square, link to a vCard for instant contact saving, and have high contrast against the card background. Place it on the back of the card to preserve front-side design space, or in the lower right corner if using the front.
What Should Your QR Code Link To?
Best option: vCard QR Code A vCard QR code saves your contact information directly to the scanner's phone. Include name, phone, email, company, title, and website. No typing required—one scan and they have your details.
Alternative options:
- LinkedIn profile (for networking-focused cards)
- Personal website or portfolio
- Linktree or similar link aggregator
- Digital business card page with social links
Sizing and Placement
Minimum size: 0.8 inches (2 cm) square Recommended: 1 inch (2.5 cm) square for reliable scanning
Placement options:
- Back of card (most common): Dedicated space without cluttering the front design
- Front lower corner: Visible immediately but uses prime real estate
- Vertical card sidebar: Modern look with integrated QR
Design Best Practices
Maintain contrast: Dark QR on light background, or vice versa. The QR must stand out clearly from the card stock.
Quiet zone: Leave white space around the QR code (at least 4 modules). Don't let design elements touch the code edges.
Keep it simple: Avoid over-customizing. Business cards are small—complex designs may affect scannability.
Match your brand: Use brand colors if they provide sufficient contrast. Add your logo only if the QR size allows it.
vCard Setup Guide
Include these fields in your vCard QR code:
- Full name
- Job title
- Company name
- Phone number (with country code)
- Email address
- Website URL
- LinkedIn URL (optional)
- Physical address (optional)
Common Mistakes to Avoid
QR too small: Business cards are viewed up close, but the QR still needs to be readable. Under 0.8 inches often fails.
Low contrast: White card with light gray QR, or dark card with dark blue QR—both fail. Always test with your actual card stock.
Wrong link type: Linking to a generic website homepage instead of a vCard wastes the opportunity for instant contact saving.
No quiet zone: Design elements touching the QR code interfere with scanning.
Print Recommendations
- Use matte finish (gloss can cause scanning issues with glare)
- Choose quality card stock (thin paper can warp)
- Print test versions before ordering bulk
- Always test scanning before final approval
Create your vCard QR code free with Quality QR—perfect sizing for business cards.
