Guides
Business card with QR code: vCard or link?
Updated on September 21, 2026
In short
A QR code on a business card can either contain the contact details themselves (vCard) or link to the digital business card. For printed materials, the link is almost always better: the code is easier to scan, the details stay editable and the scans can be measured.
vCard code or link: the difference
A “QR code on a business card” can mean two different things. With a vCard code, the contact details are stored directly in the pattern. With a link code, the pattern holds only a web address: that of the digital business card.
| vCard QR code | Link to the digital card | |
|---|---|---|
| What the code contains | All contact details | One short address |
| Pattern | Dense, harder to scan | Coarse, easy to read |
| Editable after printing | No | Yes |
| Works offline | Yes | No |
| Scans measurable | No | Yes |
| Photo, logo, links, documents | No | Yes |
Which variant fits when?
For printed business cards, the link is almost always the better choice. If a number or a role changes, the printed card stays valid; only the destination is updated. A vCard code with outdated details, on the other hand, can only be fixed by reprinting.
The vCard code has its place where there is no network coverage or where you deliberately want no website involved. bizCARD generates both variants; the digital card offers the vCard download with a single tap anyway.
Six rules for a code that scans
- Size: at least 2 × 2 cm on a business card, larger on posters. As a rule of thumb, one tenth of the reading distance.
- Quiet zone: leave a light margin free around the code, about four modules wide.
- Contrast: dark pattern on a light background. Brand colors work as long as the contrast stays high; not every camera reads a light pattern on a dark background.
- Logo: keep it small and place it only in the center.
- Material: test beforehand on glossy or curved surfaces.
- Test print: always scan with several smartphones before printing the full run.
Dynamic QR codes: change the destination later
A dynamic QR code points to a short link whose destination you can change at any time. The printed code stays the same: today it leads to a person's card, tomorrow to the landing page for a trade fair. You also see how often, from where and with which device it was scanned.
How to create the code with bizCARD
- Create a digital card: every card automatically gets its own address and QR code.
- Choose a design: the shape of the modules, brand colors, logo in the center.
- Download as SVG for print or as PNG.
- Place it on your printed business card, or design the card right in the editor and export it as a print-ready PDF.
Frequently asked questions
How big does a QR code on a business card need to be?
On a business card, the QR code should be at least 2 × 2 cm, with a light margin all around it. The more data the code holds, the finer the pattern becomes and the larger it has to be printed.
Does a QR code expire?
A code that points to a link does not expire as long as the destination address exists. A vCard code always works because the data is stored in the code itself, but it can never be changed.
Can I see how often the code has been scanned?
Yes, if the code points to a link. With a vCard QR code, the contact details are stored in the code itself, so there is nothing to measure.
Can I put a logo in the middle?
Yes. The logo covers part of the pattern, so the code needs a higher level of error correction. bizCARD sets it automatically. Still, test the code with two or three different smartphones before printing.
Which format should I give the print shop?
As a vector file (SVG). It stays sharp at any size and is suitable for offset printing, engraving and foils. A high-resolution PNG is enough for screens and office printers.