Did you know that a QR code on your business cards tells more about you and your brand? A simple scan can take you on an adventure of emotions and associations. Yes, that’s right!
The design and even the content of the QR codes can trigger a range of subconscious perceptions, leaving a lasting impression on your brand and message.
As we delve into the psychological perspective of QR codes on business cards, prepare to unlock design secrets and learn how to communicate effectively with your audience.
IMAGE: UNSPLASH
This is the outline of what we’ll cover:
- The power of the QR code design on the business card
- The Language of QR Code Content: Create a QR code for the business card using these tips
- The Basics for printing business cards with QR codes
- What are the pros and cons of QR codes on a business card?
So, if you want to discover how to use QR codes to make a memorable impression, read on!
The Power Of QR Code Design On The Business Card
The design of the QR code on your business card is more essential than you imagine! Generally, a minimalist and clean design communicates professionalism, while a bold and colorful design communicates creativity and innovation.
Think about what you want your QR code design to say about you and your brand. Various aspects of QR code designs have various psychological effects. Let’s see!
The Meaning Of QR Code Colors On Business Cards
Colors can evoke emotions and associations, impacting how people perceive your brand. For example, warm colors like red and orange represent energy, excitement, and passion, while cool colors like blue and green represent calmness, trust, and reliability.
Consider what messages you want your brand to portray and how you can use color to achieve that.
Now Let’s Explore The Meaning Of Specific QR code Colors On Business
- Red: Red is a powerful color that communicates energy, excitement, and passion. It’s often used in branding to grab attention and create a sense of urgency. You can convey a bold, energetic brand message by including red in your QR code design.
- Orange: Optimism, creativity, and fun are all associated with orange, a warm and friendly color. Brands use it to create a sense of excitement and playfulness. Using orange in your modern business card design can make your brand seem more friendly and approachable.
- Yellow: Yellow is a happy, optimistic, warm color that conveys happiness. It’s often used in branding to create a sense of friendliness and positivity. You can make your QR code design yellow if you want to convey a warm and welcoming vibe. I bet everyone would love it!
- Green: Green is a calming and natural color representing growth, balance, and harmony. Brands use it to build trust and reliability. Think about incorporating green into your QR code design if you want to deliver an eco-friendly message.
- Blue: Symbolizing stability, reliability, and professionalism, blue is a calming and trustworthy color. As a branding tool, it creates a sense of security and trust. Consider incorporating blue into your QR code design if you want to portray a professional and trustworthy image.
- Purple: Purple conveys luxury, creativity, and imagination as a royal and sophisticated color. It’s often used in branding to create a sense of elegance and exclusivity. When generating a QR code for a business card, consider incorporating purple into your design to convey a high-end, creative brand vibe.
- Black: Black is a classic and powerful color that communicates sophistication, elegance, and authority. It creates an air of professionalism and exclusivity. Adding black to your QR code design will represent a sleek, sophisticated brand.
- White: White is a clean, neutral color that symbolizes simplicity, purity, and clarity. This style is often used in branding to convey sophistication and minimalism. It can also be paired with other colors to create a contrast and make your QR code stand out.
The Shapes Of QR codes On Business Cards
The shape of your QR code design can also psychologically affect the perception of your brand and message. These are some common shapes in a QR code generator for business cards, along with their potential psychological associations:
- Traditional Squares: The classic squares in the QR code are well-known and can communicate reliability, stability, and simplicity. This shape is ideal if you want to deliver a straightforward message without any added flair.
- Stars: Stars in the body of the QR code can add a playful and fun element to your design. They can be associated with creativity, imagination, and optimism. This shape is great if your brand is geared toward a younger or more playful audience.
- Circles: QR codes that contain circles can communicate a sense of unity, harmony, and balance. They are often associated with organic and natural elements, making them great for eco-friendly or health-conscious brands.
- Triangles: Triangular figures in QR codes can create a sense of motion and direction. They can communicate strength, stability, and innovation. This shape is excellent for technology or cutting-edge brands.
- Hexagons: Using hexagons instead of squares in QR codes can add a geometric and modern element to your design. They can be associated with efficiency, precision, and innovation. This shape is excellent for brands that want to communicate a sense of modernity and innovation.
The Language Of QR Code Content: Create A QR Code For The Business Card Using These Tips
Do you know the information encoded in your digital business card QR code can also subconsciously affect the person who scans it? Yeah, that’s true!
So, consider what content you want to include in your QR code and what message you want to convey to the person who scans it. Do you want to encourage them to visit your website or social media profiles? Or do you want to offer them a particular discount or freebie? You should craft your QR code content with intention and purpose. Take a look at some content you can include in your QR code!
- Destination URLs: Linked URLs can lead recipients to a website, landing page, or other online content that can provide additional information about the brand or product. These URLs can create a sense of curiosity and encourage recipients to explore more about the brand or product.
- Tip: Ensure the destination URL is relevant and provides value to the recipient. Avoid using generic or outdated URLs that may frustrate or disappoint the recipient.
- Personalized Messages: QR codes with personalized messages can make the recipient feel special and valued. Personalization can make the recipient feel valued and recognized, increasing their loyalty to the brand. It can also create a sense of urgency and encourage immediate action.
- Tip: When crafting particular personalized messages, consider using the recipient’s name, profession, or other personal details to make the message more impactful.
- Unique Offers: Unique offers in a Business QR code can create a sense of excitement and encourage recipients to take action. Special offers can also create a sense of exclusivity and encourage recipients to share the offer with others.
- Tip: When preparing unique offers, ensure they are relevant and valuable to the recipient. Avoid using generic or uninteresting offers that may discourage recipients from taking action.
What Are The Pros And Cons Of QR Codes On A Business Card?
Is a QR code good on a business card?
Like any good relationship, there are both pros and cons to consider. So, let’s explore the ups and downs of adding a QR code to the business card!
Pros:
- We all love easy access, right? Adding a QR code to your card gives potential clients or customers a quick and effortless way to access your contact information or website. No more fiddling around with URLs or phone numbers!
- Adding a QR code invites potential clients or customers to engage with your brand and learn more about what you have to offer. It’s an opportunity to make a lasting impression and stand out.
- QR codes can save space on your business card by including additional information without cluttering the design. Instead of cramming everything onto your card, you can use a QR code to link to a website or digital brochure that provides more details about your business, products, or services.
Cons:
- While smartphones are ubiquitous, not everyone is familiar with QR codes or knows how to scan them. This means that some potential clients or customers may be unable to access your business card information.
- QR codes require devices like smartphones and scanners to function properly. Suppose these devices or internet connection isn’t working correctly. In that case, the QR code may not be scannable, which can be frustrating for you and the person trying to access your information. It’s essential to have a backup plan in case the QR code isn’t working, such as providing a website URL or email address on your card.
The Basics For Printing Business Cards With QR Code
Have you seen “American Psycho”? Don’t miss it if you haven’t yet! Let’s revisit one of the most iconic scenes from the movie!
In the movie, the protagonist, Patrick Bateman, obsesses over the design and quality of his colleagues’ business cards. He even goes as far as to meticulously compare the font and thickness of the letters and the weight and texture of the paper.
Bateman’s fixation on business cards may seem like a trivial matter to some, but there is actually a lot of psychology behind it.
Based on the blog, we figured out that printing modern business cards with a QR code can effectively share contact information and promote your brand. Here are some tips for printing unique business cards with QR codes:
Card Quality Should Be Your Top Priority
Firstly, when it comes to printing a QR code on a business card, it’s crucial to prioritize the quality of the card.
A well-designed and professionally printed business card can leave a positive impression on potential clients or customers, while a cheap or poorly printed card can have the opposite effect.
Finishes Have Psychological Effects
The exchange of business cards can also tap into our psychological need for validation and recognition. When someone compliments our business card, we feel a sense of pride and accomplishment.
This can be especially true in competitive industries, where having an impressive business card can help to set us apart from our peers.
So consider the psychological effects of the finishes of the cards as well. Glossy finishes can give a sense of slipping through the fingers. That’s a great way to show off your easygoing side. Matte finishes, on the other hand, convey a more sophisticated, understated tone.
Metal business cards with a QR code can add a touch of luxury or prestige, while textured finishes can add interest and tactile appeal.
How Big Should A QR Code Be On A Business Card?
When adding a QR code to your business card, choose an appropriate QR code size for a business card. Small QR codes may be challenging to scan, leading to frustration and a negative experience.
The code should be large enough to be easily scanned by a phone’s camera but not so large that it overwhelms the card’s design. A good rule of thumb is to make the QR code around the 1-inch square.
Make Sure The QR Codes Work
Finally, it’s essential to ensure that the QR code is scannable. A poorly placed QR code may convey that you didn’t put much thought into your design.
Test the code on multiple devices to make sure that it’s a scannable business card, and consider adding brief instructions on how to scan the code for those who may not be familiar with the technology.
Conclusion
So, is Patrick Bateman’s obsession with business cards justified? Well, in some ways, yes. While his extreme behavior may be a bit much, there is undoubtedly value in paying attention to the design and quality of our business cards.
After all, they are a reflection of who we are and what we do and can have a significant impact on our professional success.
QR codes on business cards are a powerful tool for personal branding, social interaction, and validation. And while we may not all go to the extreme lengths of Patrick Bateman, there is certainly something to be said for taking pride in the design and quality of our business cards.
Now embrace your inner Bateman and create a QR code for your business card, but leave the axe at home! 🙂
