How to Use QR Codes on Business Cards and Flyers

By November 14, 2026

A QR code on printed material connects paper to your online world. But a code that is too small, badly placed or missing a reason to scan will be ignored. These tips help you get it right.

Business cards

Business cards have little space, so keep it simple:

  • Use a vCard QR code to share your contact details, or a link to your website or portfolio.
  • Print the code at least 2 cm (0.8 in) wide.
  • Put it on the back so the front stays clean.
  • Keep the content short. Less data means a simpler, easier code.

Flyers and brochures

On a flyer, make the code about 2.5 to 3 cm wide and place it where the eye naturally ends, often the bottom corner. Always add a short call to action such as "Scan to see the menu" or "Scan to book".

Posters

For posters, size depends on distance. A useful rule is to divide the scanning distance by 10. For a poster read from 1 meter away, the code should be about 10 cm wide.

Give people a reason to scan

People scan when they know what they will get. State the benefit in a few words: a discount, a menu, a map, a sign-up form. A code with no explanation looks suspicious and is often skipped.

Check the destination

Make sure the page opens quickly on a phone and looks good on a small screen. A slow or broken page wastes the scan.

Print checklist

  • Dark code on a light background
  • White margin of about 4 modules around the code
  • Matte paper if possible, to avoid glare
  • A test scan from the actual printed copy

Create your code in seconds with the free QRIQO generator and download an SVG for the sharpest print.

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