Give your business cards a modern upgrade with custom aluminium cards, laser engraving and a QR code that takes customers straight to your company information.
Business cards don’t have to be boring. With a little creativity and the right equipment, you can turn a simple aluminium card into something that people will actually want to keep.
In a recent demonstration, AM.CO.ZA showed how to create stylish aluminium business cards using a UV laser marker. The finished cards feature a QR code that customers can scan with their smartphones to access a website and its company information.
Even better, the process is straightforward once you know what to do.
Start with a QR Code
The first step is creating a QR code that links to your website.
For this demonstration, a free online tool called Gen QR Code was used. Simply enter the website URL you want customers to visit and generate the QR code.
Once it’s ready, download it in SVG format. This is a good option because it’s a vector file that can be opened and edited in Adobe Illustrator before being prepared for engraving.
Design Your Business Card in Adobe Illustrator
With the QR code ready, the next step is creating the business card layout.
The demonstration uses a portrait design measuring 55 × 85 mm, which suits the size of a standard business card.
Import the QR code into Adobe Illustrator and resize it to fit the layout. Make sure you scale it proportionally so that it retains its correct shape and remains scannable.
Next, ungroup the QR code and remove its white background, leaving only the black elements that form the code. This is important because you want the laser to engrave the QR code itself rather than mark an unwanted background.
Once you’re happy with the result, group the QR code elements together so they can be moved and positioned as one object.
You can then add your company logo and any other information you want on the card.
When the design is finished, save it as an SVG file. A DXF file is another option if required by your workflow.
Set Up the Design in the UV Laser Marking Software
Now it’s time to move from the design stage to the machine.
Import the SVG file into the UV laser marking software and prepare the different elements of the design. In this example, the QR code is hatched, while the logo and remaining details are engraved as outlines.
For the QR code, the demonstration uses the following settings:
- Hatch spacing: 0.08
- Velocity: 800
- Power: 95%
- Frequency: 22
These are the settings used in the demonstration, rather than universal settings for every machine or card. Results can vary depending on the equipment, material and finish, so test them on a sample before starting production.
Once the QR code has been configured, check that the correct engraving process is assigned to each part of the design.
Position the Aluminium Card Correctly
Before engraving, place the aluminium card on the machine bed and adjust the laser height to suit the thickness of the material.
The demonstration refers to a measurement of approximately 9 cm from the base to the top of the lens. This is a setup reference for the machine used in the video, so always follow your particular machine’s focusing instructions.
Use the red-light positioning function to preview where the engraving will appear on the card. This allows you to check the alignment before marking the material.
If the red light is difficult to see on the surface, masking tape can help make the positioning easier to identify.
For anyone planning to produce multiple cards, creating a simple jig is also worth considering. A jig holds each card in the same position, helping you keep the engraving straight and consistent while reducing the chance of mistakes.
Once everything is lined up correctly, you can start the engraving process.
Create Different Looks with Coloured Aluminium Cards
One of the nice things about this project is that you’re not limited to a single colour.
AM.CO.ZA offers a range of coloured aluminium cards, giving you more options when creating business cards that match your brand or stand out from the crowd.
In the demonstration, two different cards are engraved, showing how the same basic design can look different depending on the card’s finish.
This opens up possibilities for premium business cards, networking, client gifts and other personalised promotional products.
Test the QR Code Before Handing It Over
Once the engraving is complete, the final step is to test the card.
Simply open your smartphone’s camera and scan the QR code. In the demonstration, the code scans successfully and takes the user to the intended online information.
It’s a small detail, but it makes the card much more useful. Instead of trying to squeeze every company detail onto a small piece of aluminium, you can use the QR code to direct customers to your website, contact information or other online resources.
Just remember to test every new design before producing a batch of cards.
A Simple Idea with Business Potential
These aluminium business cards are a great example of how laser marking can turn an everyday product into something more distinctive.
The combination of a premium-looking metal card, a custom logo and a working QR code creates a business card that looks professional while giving customers an easy way to find out more about your company.
For print shops, sign businesses and entrepreneurs looking for new products to offer, it’s also an opportunity to explore personalised items that go beyond traditional paper printing.
Watch More Demonstrations from AM.CO.ZA
Want to see more creative applications for laser marking and other machinery?
Visit the AM.CO.ZA YouTube channel for more demonstrations, tutorials and ideas.
You can also explore the range of machines, consumables and parts available at AM.CO.ZA.
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