What Is a QR Code and How Can It Help Your Business Card?

Business cards remain a powerful tool in 2023. But your details are always changing. You don’t want to share an outdated set of details. The best of both worlds is to use QR codes on business cards for an up-to-date link to your details.

Should you put a QR code on your business card? Definitely. Think of why. Imagine the form factor of a business card: in print, and very small. With a QR code on business card designs, you can link holders of the card to as much extra information as you want. 

Business cards with QR code designs on them are essential in 2023. Creating a business cards QR code is amazingly easy. Let’s dive in and learn how to put QR code on business card layouts of your own.

How to Generate a QR Code For Your Business Card

Business cards have two key limits:

1. They contain a limited amount of space to show your work. If you’re an artist, you might want to share your portfolio. That’s clearly impossible on a 3.5 x 2-inch card.
2. They become outdated. Printed cards are obsolete the moment anything printed on them changes.

The better alternative is to use QR code on business cards. They give the recipient a link they can scan anytime to visit your latest contact page. QR code on business cards keep you relevant.

In this tutorial, we’ll cover two methods that help you learn how to put QR code on business card designs.

With either method you choose, the best way to begin is to choose a premium template from Envato Elements. Elements offers unlimited downloads of thousands of stunning business card designs. Every single one will easily accommodate QR codes on business cards. If you’re asking, “should I put a QR code on my business card?” the choice is easier than ever.

For our tutorial, we’ll work with the premium Business Card Template from Envato Elements. It’s a stylish design that you can edit in both Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator. The choice is yours, but we’ll demonstrate using Photoshop later in the tutorial.

1. Link to a Website With a QR Code on Business Card Design

Let’s learn how to put QR code on business card layouts using an existing URL. This is useful if you already have a website, social channel, or page that you want to share on a business card. All you need to get started is Google Chrome, Google’s free web browser. You can download it here.

Why should I put QR code on business card designs? Again, the takeaway is relevance. In essence, a QR code “future-proofs” your business card. Get a new phone number? Change addresses? Your printed cards won’t be obsolete. Anyone with your card in their hand can scan your business cards QR code and see your latest info.

To get started, go ahead and launch Google Chrome. Then, navigate to a URL that you want to create a QR code for. This can be a website, or even one of your social profiles.

For example, you can use this to link to your online portfolio or LinkedIn profile. Or you can send those who scan the code to the homepage of your company, for example. The possibilities are as endless as the opportunities provided online.

When you’re on the URL that you want to link to, look in the Search bar. Of course, the URL itself appears on the left. Immediately to the right, you’ll see the Share This Page menu box. Go ahead and click on it.

When you click this, you’ll see a list of several options. The one you need is up at the top. It’s labeled Create QR Code. Let’s choose this. When you click it, you’ll see a business cards QR code appear instantly onscreen. From its menu, click Download.

Chrome downloads an image copy of your QR code. By default, it’ll be in PNG format. This is great, because it’s a very common and easy-to-use image file format. You’ll find that it’s perfectly compatible with editing software like Photoshop and Illustrator. 

With your QR code business card design downloaded, let’s add it to your own business cards. Open the Business Card Template in Adobe Photoshop. You’ll see it appear onscreen, and you can quickly fill in your own details. These are what will show on your printed card. All you have left to do is add your QR code on business cards.

I like this business cards QR code design because it offers plenty of open space on the face of the card. There’s room to place your QR code right on the front. But keep in mind – many premium QR code business card templates are two-sided. It’s best to avoid cluttering up a layout. If you need to, remember that you can always use the back side of your card!

Now, go ahead and open your Downloads folder (or wherever Chrome stored the QR code that you created). You’ll see it in your list of files.

Adding QR codes on business cards is very simple. To begin, click on the QR code image file to select it. Then, drag it over your card design in Photoshop. Drop it into place, and you’ll see Photoshop import it. 

Now, you can pull on the corners to resize the QR code. Then, holding down your cursor, you can click and drag the QR code image to perfectly fill the open space on your slide. That’s all it takes! You can now save your QR code business card in Photoshop for printing and sharing.

2. Customize QR Codes on Business Cards With New Content

You just learned how to put QR code on business card layouts. In the earlier example, we used an existing URL to demonstrate.

But what if you want to be able to always update the content that your QR code links to? Or you may want the QR code to drive certain actions. For example, you might want it to send those who scan it to a certain file, photo, audio file, or other piece of content.

For cases like that, it’s a great idea to use a tool like Bitly’s QR Code Generator. When you do, you can select exactly what to share. And you can keep these details up to date in real time. You’ll ensure that your business card never goes out of date. 

For this, you’ll simply need to set up a free account. With this, you can update the material that any given QR code links to. Thus, it’s a breeze when things change. You’ll never have to reprint QR codes with a new code.

Go ahead and launch the QR Code Generator. On the home screen, you’ll see an array of options across the top. As mentioned, this is your best bet if you need to customize the content for your QR code on business cards. 

For example, VCARD lets you add key contact details. Or you can use the Twitter and Facebook buttons to link directly to your respective social media channels. Click on any of the options, and you’ll see the list of fields below change to match your choice. 

Now, you can go ahead and input the relevant details. Do this by typing into the boxes. When you’re finished, click Generate QR Code. You’ll see the code appear on the right, with a preview of it in the upper corner. Download your new QR code on business card design by clicking the green Download (JPG) button.

Now, you’ll have a downloaded image file of your QR code. From here, the steps are identical to add it to your business cards. Find the downloaded QR code. Then, drag and drop it onto your business card! Again, it’s incredibly quick and easy to do. 

In seconds, you’ve added QR codes on business cards of your own. This is the best way to keep your cards up to date. You can log into the website and update details as they change and evolve.

Tips for Great Business Cards With QR Codes

As you can see, you can create a QR code business card design in moments. But to always succeed, it pays to embrace three quick design tips. When you do, you’ll create business cards with QR code designs that always look their best.

1. Use High-Contrast Layouts

Business card with QR code designs should stand out. That’s why it’s essential to choose a card with plenty of contrast. Your QR code will jump off the card, encouraging everyone to scan it and see what you’ve got to offer.

Envato Elements offers thousands of business card designs for 2023. Browse the countless high-contrast options and download your favorites today.

2. Always Stay Current

A QR code on business cards lets you keep information and credentials up to date. Whenever something changes, update the source that your code links to.

You’ll never find yourself with obsolete, dated business cards again. It’s the best of both worlds. You can enjoy timeless printed designs, while ensuring they never go out of style.

3. Focus on the Code and Limit Text

By definition, business cards are small and compact. It’s easy to be tempted into oversharing. That means trying to pack too many details onto one card. When you do, you may find yourself with a messy and cluttered design that’s hard to read.

Business cards QR code scans eliminate this problem. Instead of printing more on a card, use a QR code instead. Now, you’re virtually unlimited on what you can share. It’s a great way to keep business cards stylish while never sacrificing key information that you need to share.

The Top Source for QR Code Business Card Templates (Unlimited Downloads in 2023)

Business card QR code templates help you craft amazing design in moments. The best source for these is Envato Elements. Elements is an all-you-can-download creative resource that you can’t afford to miss. For a flat monthly rate, you can download and use as many premium business card templates as you want.

Plus, Elements includes countless other digital assets. You’ll find fonts, stock photos, and more. All these are included in the flat monthly membership offer.

Find Business Card Design

Sure, you can find premium QR code on business cards templates online. But these can’t measure up to Envato Elements premium offerings. When you choose Elements, you’ll enjoy:

• Studio-quality layouts. With cards crafted by design experts, you’ll benefit from stunning styles.
• Inspired designs. Designs help you think of exactly what to share. Card features look right at home among the top winning business cards in 2023.
• Easy-to-edit features. Placeholders and pre-built features let you add your content in seconds. You won’t have to spend forever building amazing QR code on business cards for 2023 and beyond. 

Should you put a QR code on your business card? Absolutely! When you start with a premium Envato Elements template in 2023, the process is effortless. 

Now You Know the Power of QR Codes on Business Cards

If you started by asking, “should I put a QR code on your business card?” you’ve seen a great argument to do just that. QR codes on business cards ensure that your calling card is always up to date. Plus, business cards with QR codes can link to more info that you want to share, like a portfolio.

Now, it’s your turn. Follow one of the two how to put QR code on business card techniques. You’ll update your printed identity with a modern twist. A QR code business card might just help you land your next gig!