Put a logo inside a QR code for a business card

A logo can make a business card QR code feel like part of your brand, but a large mark or low contrast can make the code hard to scan. Make the code, add your logo, and test it at the size you plan to print before you order cards.

The QR Code Generator can create codes for contact details and links, with logo and color options. You can use it in your browser without installing software.

Make the QR code

1. Open the QR Code Generator. Choose what the code should open, such as contact details or a website link.
2. Enter the details carefully. For a contact code, check the name, phone number, email address and any other information you want people to save. For a link, open it yourself first to confirm it goes to the right page.
3. Add your logo using the tool's logo option. Use a clear, simple version of the mark, and keep it small enough that it does not cover the QR code's large corner squares.
4. Choose a dark code on a light background. If you change the colors, keep strong contrast and avoid using a busy photo or pattern behind the code.
5. Save or export the finished code using the option available in the tool. Keep an unmodified copy in case you need to change the card layout later.
6. Place the code on your business card with clear space around all four sides. Print a sample at the intended size and scan it with more than one phone before ordering a batch.

A QR code needs a blank border, called a quiet zone, so a camera can distinguish the code from nearby graphics and text. Leave at least four small QR squares of clear space around the pattern. Keep the card's other design elements outside this margin.

Choose content and a print size

Contact details or a link

A contact code can make it easier for someone to save your details, but it may include more personal information than you want to share. Include only what belongs on a public business card. A link can lead to a page with your current contact information, portfolio or business profile. Check that it works on a phone without requiring a sign-in.

Logo size and placement

Keep the logo in the center and start with a modest size. The code's large square patterns in three corners help a camera find its orientation, so do not cover them. If the logo hides too many of the smaller squares, the camera may not be able to read enough of the pattern. For more guidance on logo size and code readability, see how to add a logo to a QR code without breaking it.

How large to print it

For a business card, about 1 inch (25 mm) square is a useful starting point. A longer link or contact record can create a denser code, which may need more room. If you have space, make the code larger rather than shrinking the logo's surrounding pattern. Keep it away from card edges, folds and glossy or textured areas that could interfere with scanning.

When you print a sample, open the print dialog with Ctrl + P on Windows 11 or Command + P on macOS. Choose actual size or 100% scale if that option is available, so you can check the code at its intended dimensions.

Fix a QR code that will not scan

1. Make the code larger. A tiny code is harder for a phone camera to focus on, especially in print. Increase its size and try again before changing several other parts of the design.
2. Increase the contrast. Use a dark pattern on a light, plain background. Avoid pale colors, gradients and similar-looking foreground and background shades.
3. Reduce the logo. If the code scans without the logo but not with it, the mark may be covering too much of the pattern. Use a smaller logo and retest.
4. Restore the clear border. Move text, lines and decorative shapes away from the code. Make sure the quiet zone is visible on every side.
5. Check the printed sample, not only the screen. Print at actual size, then scan under ordinary room lighting. If the sample is blurry or smudged, adjust the print quality or use a cleaner export from the generator.

Test before ordering business cards

Scan the printed sample with the phone camera or QR scanner you expect customers to use. Check that it opens the right page or displays the right contact details. Try from a normal reading distance, not only with the phone held very close.

Test once more after the code is placed in the final card layout. A QR code that scans as a standalone image may fail after it is scaled down, cropped or placed over a background. If the final sample scans reliably on different phones, keep that exact version for printing.