QR Codes on Your Van: Placement, Size and Testing
Published 3 November 2026
A QR code on your van turns anyone who walks past into a future customer. They scan it, see where you are on a live map, and can save the link for next time. Done well it costs very little. Done badly it simply does not scan. This guide covers where to put it, how big to make it, and how to test it before you print.
Why a QR code works for a mobile business
Your customers cannot see you coming and you cannot be in two places at once. A QR code gives anyone standing at your hatch, or reading your A-board, a direct way to keep track of you later. It opens in their normal phone browser, with no app to install and no account to create.
With RouteServe, your QR code points to your permanent link. That link never changes, so you can print the code once and use it on stickers, boards, menus and flyers all year. When you are not out, the page simply shows that you are not serving, and does not show where you were.
Where to put it
- Serving hatch. Next to the menu, at eye level for the person queuing.
- Side of the van. Where people see it as you pull up or drive past slowly.
- A-board. On the pavement, so people can scan without joining the queue.
- Cones, cups or bags. A small sticker means people take the link home with them.
- Menu cards and flyers. For events and private hire.
Size and contrast
A QR code needs to be big enough to scan from where people will be standing. A code on the hatch can be smaller because people are close. A code on the side of the van or an A-board should be larger, because people will scan from further away. When in doubt, go bigger than you think you need.
- Use dark code on a light background. Avoid light code on a dark background.
- Leave a clear blank border around the code so scanners can find its edges.
- Do not stretch or squash it. Keep it square.
- Do not place logos or designs over it unless you have tested the result.
Material and finish
A van lives outdoors, so choose weatherproof stickers and a finish that does not glare in bright sun. A matt finish usually scans better than a glossy one under direct light. Stick codes on a flat, clean surface, and avoid curved panels or seams that distort the pattern.
Test before you print a lot
Always test a sample before you print a batch. Scan it with a few different phones, in bright sun and in shade, from the distance people will actually be at. Check that the page that opens is the right one and loads quickly on a normal mobile connection. If it fails, adjust size or contrast and test again.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Printing a code too small for the distance people will scan from.
- Putting it behind glass, glare or a reflective finish.
- Placing it where the van door, hatch or a queue hides it.
- Skipping the test and finding out on the first busy Saturday.
- Using a code that points to a link that can change, which forces you to reprint.
Say what the code does
People are more likely to scan a code if they know what they will get. Add a short line next to it, such as "Scan to see where the van is right now". It sets expectations and makes the code feel useful rather than random.
Print once, use everywhere
Because your link is permanent, the code on your van stays correct even when your rounds, pitches and events change. You do not need to reprint when you move from a school round to a summer fete. Pair it with your online presence too: our guide on sharing your van route on social media shows how to use the same link across Instagram, Facebook and WhatsApp.
Related reading
Try RouteServe free for 30 days
Give customers one permanent link and QR code that shows where you are right now. No customer app and no commission. After your 30 day free trial it is £9.99 a month or £99 a year.