The short answer
You have two good options. A static vCard code stores your name, number and email in the pattern, so it saves a contact even offline, but it is denser and cannot be changed. A dynamic link code opens a page you can keep current. Print either at least 2 cm (0.8 in) wide, ideally 2.5 cm, on the back of the card.
How to put a QR code on a business card
Choose vCard or link
Pick a vCard code if you want the contact saved with no internet and your details are stable. Pick a dynamic link if you want a page with links, a photo and a booking button that you can update.
Keep the data short
A vCard with name, mobile and email makes a small pattern. Adding address, title, website and notes makes the pattern dense and harder to scan on a small card. Include only what you need.
Create the code
Use the vCard type for a static contact code, or a URL code saved as dynamic for a link. A Biz Page can be the mobile business-card page behind the link; one page is free.
Place it on the back
Set the code 2.5 cm or larger on the back of the card in dark ink on a light area, with a clear border and a short label such as “Save my contact”.
Print a test card
Print one on the real stock. Matte stock scans best; heavy gloss, foil and soft-touch coatings can reduce reliability.
Size, distance and placement
- Static vCard code
- Holds the contact in the pattern: works offline, cannot be updated, gets dense with more fields
- Dynamic link code
- Opens a page you control: updatable, counts scans, needs a connection
- Typical scan distance
- Card held in the hand: 20–40 cm
- Minimum printed width
- 2 cm (0.8 in); 2.5–3 cm is more reliable on a standard 8.9 × 5.1 cm (3.5 × 2 in) card
- Stock and finish
- Matte; avoid foil, spot gloss and heavy emboss over the code
- Fields to include (vCard)
- Name, mobile, email; add more only if essential
- Label
- A short line like “Save my contact” beside the code
vCard or link: which should you print?
If you change jobs, numbers or addresses rarely and want the code to work without a signal, a static vCard is fine, but a reprint is the only fix when anything changes. If you want the card to stay useful for years, link to a page and use a dynamic code: it holds a short link, so the pattern is simpler and easier to scan, and you can edit the page whenever your details change. Many people print the link version and let the page offer a “save contact” button.
Common mistakes
Tip: if you print the same card for a team, give each person their own dynamic code. Then the scan counts show who is actually handing cards out and what turns into visits.
Frequently asked questions
What is a vCard QR code?
A vCard code stores contact details such as name, phone and email inside the pattern. Scanning it offers to save the contact to the phone, even offline.
Should my business card QR code be static or dynamic?
Static if your details are permanent and you want it to work offline. Dynamic if you want to update your details or page without reprinting.
How big should a QR code on a business card be?
At least 2 cm (0.8 in) wide; 2.5–3 cm is more reliable on a standard card. Place it on a matte area with a clear border.
Can I make a mobile business-card page?
Yes. A Biz Page is a mobile business-card page with contact buttons and a save-contact option. One page is free, and you can link a QR code to it.