Technical Specifications
- Standard
- vCard 3.0 (IETF RFC 2426)
- Fields
- Full Name, Phone, Email, Company, Job Title, Website URL
- Compatibility
- Apple Contacts, Google Contacts, Microsoft Outlook
Standard Industry Use Cases
- Paper business cards and trade show conference badges
- Email signature image badges and LinkedIn profile banners
- Real estate agent yard signs and sales brochures
- Speaker slides and presentation closing decks
How to Make, Print & Test Your vCard QR Code
Step by step
- Open the studio with the vCard QR type selected (the button above does this).
- Fill in the fields you want to share: first and last name, company, job title, phone, email, website and address. Leave out anything you don't want on the card.
- Write the phone number in international format with the country code, for example +1 555 019 2834 or +44 20 7946 0000.
- Scan the preview with your phone and check that Add to Contacts shows every field correctly.
- Download SVG for business cards and print design, or PNG for email signatures and slides.
Printing & size
- Business cards: a standard card is 85 × 55 mm (3.5 × 2 in). Print the code at least 2.5 cm (1 in) wide, with a clear white margin around it.
- Fewer fields scan faster. A vCard is plain text inside the code, so every extra field makes the pattern denser. Name, phone, email and website are usually enough.
- Contrast: keep the code dark on a light background, even if your card design is dark. Put the code on a white panel.
- Logo: if you add a logo in the centre, the studio switches to the highest error correction level automatically. Keep the logo small and test the final print.
Common mistakes
- Phone numbers without the country code. They may dial the wrong number, or none, when scanned abroad.
- Testing on screen only. Always scan the printed proof at its final size, especially on small cards.
- Expecting to edit it later. The contact details are stored in the code itself, so a new job title or phone number needs a new code.
- Adding a photo. Photos are far too large for a QR code. Share them through your website or LinkedIn link instead.
Key Benefits of vCard QR
Instant Address Book Save
Prompts smartphones to save contact details directly with zero typing errors.
Zero Paper Business Card Waste
Share comprehensive digital cards including phone, email, website, and job title.
Cross-Platform vCard 3.0 Standard
Works seamlessly across Apple Contacts, Google Contacts, and Microsoft Outlook.
What Code Do I Need for My Product? (Customer Decision Guide)
Choosing the right barcode format depends on where your product is sold, the packaging substrate, and scanner infrastructure:
Attending conferences, networking mixers, or trade shows?
Display your vCard QR code on your badge, phone lock screen, or physical card for instant contact sharing.
Real estate agents and independent consultants?
Print on yard signs, presentation slides, and vehicle decals so prospects can save your number in 2 seconds.
vCard Best Practices & Payload Optimization
- Keep the vCard payload compact (under 350 characters) to ensure the QR code remains clean, low-density, and scannable even from a distance or in low light.
- Avoid embedding raw image photos directly in the vCard payload, as this creates dense codes that can be difficult for older smartphone cameras to resolve.
- Written as vCard 3.0 (IETF RFC 2426), the version the iPhone and Android contacts apps read directly.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens when someone scans a vCard QR code?
Their phone automatically launches the Contacts app with all your details pre-filled and a single "Save Contact" button.
Will a vCard QR code work on both iPhone and Android?
Yes. The iPhone Camera app and Android camera or Google Lens recognise vCard codes and offer to add the contact. We write vCard 3.0, the version contact apps read most reliably.
Can I change the details after printing?
No. The details are stored inside the code, which is what makes it private, free and permanent. If something changes, generate a new code. It takes a few seconds.
Can I put my photo or logo in the contact card?
A photo can't fit inside a QR code. You can place a small logo in the centre of the code itself as decoration; it isn't added to the saved contact.