Surface guide
QR codes on vehicle wraps
A vehicle QR code only works when the vehicle is parked. On the move it is unscannable at any size. Size for the parked case (20–50 cm), and put it on the side panel, not a curved or hinged surface.
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| Typical scan distance | 2–5 m |
|---|---|
| Minimum code width | 20–50 cm |
| Error correction | M |
Parked is the only case that matters
A moving vehicle cannot be scanned. All the value is in the parked van outside a customer's house, at a depot, or at a trade show. Design for a pedestrian standing 2–3 m away: 20–30 cm of code.
Where to put it
- Rear doors and the rear quarter of the side panel: the flattest, most accessible areas.
- Avoid door handles, hinges, fuel flaps, mirrors and body swage lines. Any crease across the code kills it.
- Keep clear of the wheel arch, road spray covers everything below about a metre.
Material and finish
Cast vinyl with a matt laminate. Gloss on a car in daylight is unreadable. Matt also survives the wash better.
What it should link to
Something a person standing beside a parked van actually wants: a quote request, a phone number, availability. Not a homepage.