1. Decide what the code does
- Saves your contact (vCard) — the phone offers Add to contacts. Best for most cards; works offline and never expires.
- Opens a page — your card link, portfolio or booking page. Better when you have lots of links or details that change.
The builder on this page does both; switch under QR code on the card.
2. Keep it light
Every character makes the code denser. Name, mobile, email, company, title and website scan easily on a card. Leave the full address, second phone and long notes for the .vcf file or your card link.
3. Size and placement
- At least 2 × 2 cm (0.8 × 0.8 in); 2.5 cm is more comfortable.
- Keep a white margin (quiet zone) of about 4 modules around it — don't let text or borders touch it.
- Right side of the front, or centred on the back, inside the safe zone.
- Dark code on a light background. Inverted (light on dark) codes fail on some phones.
4. Add a hint
A short caption such as “Scan to save my contact” makes people actually scan it. Most templates here add one.
5. Test, then print
- Scan the code on screen with an iPhone and an Android phone.
- Print one page at 100% on your own printer and scan the paper.
- Check spelling, phone format (+country code) and email in the saved contact.
Then send the print PDF to your printer. Printable business cards
Frequently asked questions
What size should a QR code be on a business card?
At least 2 × 2 cm (0.8 in), with a white margin around it.
Should the QR code go on the front or back?
Either. The front makes it obvious; the back keeps the front clean. Add a caption so people know what it does.
Can a QR code be in my brand color?
Yes, if it's dark enough against a light background. Black or a very dark color is safest.
Will the QR code expire?
A vCard QR code never expires — the contact is inside the code. Codes from subscription QR services may stop working when the plan ends.
Contact files follow vCard 3.0 (RFC 2426); QR codes follow ISO/IEC 18004. Checked 2026-11-07.