How to Create a QR Code for a Business Card (Step-by-Step)

Create a QR code for a business card in minutes

When I rebranded my local meetup group, updating our business cards was one of the first things on my list. With so many ways people discover and follow businesses today, I needed a simple way to create a QR code for a business card. I chose to add a QR code because it gives people a quick way to connect without overwhelming the design.

Below, I’ll show you how I add a QR code to a business card using Avery Design and Print Online. Avery’s free design tool for labels, cards, and more has a QR code generator built right in, so you don’t have to juggle tools. You can quickly and easily create and place your code in one smooth workflow. I’ll also share a few practical tips to help make sure it scans cleanly once it’s printed.

Watch how to add a QR code to a business card

If you like seeing the process in action, the video below walks through how to add QR codes and barcodes inside the Avery design tool. It shows what the steps look like inside the design tool, which can be helpful if you’re more of a visual or hands-on learner.

You can watch it now or follow along with the written steps below—I’ll break everything down either way.

Do you need a business card QR code generator?

Years ago, when I first started looking for business card QR code generators, I quickly grew tired of using extra tools. Bouncing back and forth between apps to create and download a code—just to upload it somewhere else and start designing—was frustrating.

If you’re still doing that bounce-and-struggle, I can happily assure you there’s no need to make a full QR code before you can start designing.

The Avery business card maker has a built-in QR code generator, so you can create and add a QR code while you design your business card—no additional app or add-on required. One of the fastest ways to get started is by browsing business card designs in the Shop by Design experience. When you choose a design you like, it opens directly in Design and Print Online, ready to customize.

From there, you can add your QR code in just a few clicks, adjust placement, and keep designing. There’s no extra step to install or enable a separate QR code tool—you’re jumping straight into the creative part with everything you need already available inside the design tool.

This makes it easy to create a QR code for a business card, all in one place and free to use, whether you plan to print at home or order custom-printed cards.

What you need to get started

Before you add a QR code to your business card, it helps to have a few basics ready. You don’t need much, and one of the things I appreciate most is being able to design once and print in different ways. When needs change, it feels so good to be ready.

For example, I usually order custom-printed business cards for my whole team. But I always share the design file by email as well. That way, if someone runs out right before an event, they can print a few cards at home in a pinch. Having both options available makes it much easier to scale up—or adapt quickly.

Here’s what you’ll need:

• A business card design or template
  You can start with a blank template, choose a predesigned option, or upload a complete design you created in another tool.
• The link you want your QR code to open
  This might be your website, online shop, menu, Instagram profile, or booking page.
• A printing plan (with flexibility)
  Decide whether you want to print your business cards at home, order them custom printed, or do both depending on timing and quantity.

Once you have these ready, you can jump right into adding your QR code and customizing your design.

How to create a QR code business card for free (step-by-step)

Once your design and link are ready, adding a QR code to your business card is quick. In my case, I’m starting with a business card design I created elsewhere and uploaded into the Avery design tool. You can follow along whether you’re using a blank template, a predesigned option, or your own uploaded design.

I’ll show you the exact steps I use to add a QR code, place it correctly, and get the card ready for printing—without needing a separate QR code generator or extra setup.

Pro tip: If you’re uploading a business card design from Canva, download it as a PDF for printing and choose CMYK colors. Canva designs are often created with digital sharing in mind, so switching to print-ready settings helps ensure colors print more accurately.

Once you have your business card design open inside the Avery editor, the main editing tools appear along the left-hand side of the screen. Some tools are nested, so you won’t see every option right away.

To add a QR code, click QR Code and Barcodes in the left menu. When you select it, an expanded menu appears with additional options. From there, click Add QR/Barcode to open the built-in QR code tool.

This step is easy to miss if you’re skimming the menu, so don’t worry if you didn’t see it at first. Once the QR code tool is open, you’re ready to choose the type of QR code you want to create.

When you open the QR code tool, you’ll be guided through a few pop-up menus. This is where the tool asks how you want to provide your data and what type of code you want to create.

Because a QR code only needs one piece of information, start by choosing Enter manually. This option works best for links like websites, social profiles, or booking pages.

In the next menu, you’ll see a list of barcode and QR code types. Scroll through the list and select QR Code. (There are a lot of options here, so don’t worry if you need to scroll to find it.)

Once you’ve selected QR Code, you’ll be asked what kind of information the code should link to. Most people use QR codes to open a website, so choose URL from the dropdown menu. That’s the option I’m using to link to our Instagram page.

After that, you’re ready to enter the link in the next step.

Now it’s time to enter the web address you want your QR code to open. In the URL field, type or paste the full link, including the beginning (like www).

This is one of those small details that can trip people up in the Avery editor. If the URL isn’t entered in the full format, the QR code may not work the way you expect once it’s scanned.

In my case, I pasted the link to our website, then clicked Finish.

4) Place the QR code on your business card

Once I added my QR code to the business card, I arranged it so it worked with my design and scanned reliably. I simply dragged and dropped the QR code into place and resized it as needed. Here are a few placement rules I always follow when adding QR codes to business cards.

QR code placement tips (so it scans fast)

Contrast is key. QR codes rely on light reflecting in a specific pattern. If the contrast is too low—like a black QR code on a dark or textured background—phones may struggle to scan it.

Do not overlap. Overlapping designs, textures, or images can also mess up the pattern that reflects off the QR code.

No smaller than 1 inch. Technically, a QR code can be as small as 0.8 x 0.8 inches (2 x 2 cm) and still work. However, I prefer to use ones that are at least 1 x 1 inches to compensate for varying phone camera quality.

5) Check both sides of your card

Even though I only added a QR code to the front, I always check both sides of my business card before printing. I use the Front and Back toggle to make sure everything looks right and nothing shifted during editing.

Once both sides look good, I click Preview & Print to double-check spacing and layout before moving forward.

6) Preview your QR code business card

You can also open the exact PDF file that will be used for printing. If anything looks off, click Edit Design to go back and make changes. I always recommend reviewing the PDF before moving on to printing—it’s the easiest way to catch small issues.

If you’re printing at home, you can save the PDF to your device and print later. You can also print directly from the PDF in your browser. Since this design included a new brand color, I wanted to test it before ordering in bulk.

Pro tip: If possible, scan the QR code from the PDF preview on your screen to confirm it opens the correct link before printing.

7) Print your cards or order custom-printed cards

FAQ: QR code business cards

Your QR code business cards are ready to go

Now that I’ve tackled new business cards, I’m reminded of how far we’ve come over the past several years. Rebranding an established group with a new name and look is a big step, but having the right tools made the process feel manageable instead of overwhelming.

Creating QR code business cards was surprisingly easy, and it gave me the flexibility to design, test, and print in one, smooth workflow. More importantly, it freed me up to focus on what actually matters—connecting with people and building community.

If you’re rebranding, refining your look, or just getting started, having a simple way to bring your ideas to life makes all the difference. Here’s to whatever comes next.

Looking for your next small business upgrade?

If you’re refreshing your business cards, you might also be thinking about how you show up at events, pop-ups, or meetings. These guides can help you keep building momentum:

• Sell more with easy event marketing ideas for small business
• 6 great reasons business cards still matter
• Creative business card ideas to help you stand out