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.
| 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.