How-to guide
How to make an Augmented Reality business card?
Hand over a card that keeps talking: a short video, your voice or an animation, on any phone.
What it is
The smallest exhibition space
An AR business card is a printed card with a digital layer. Scan it with a phone and it plays a video, your voice or an animation.
People remember the card that talked back. And you can update the message without printing new cards.
The same idea works for postcards, thank-you cards, greeting cards and event giveaways. Anything small and printed can carry a story.
Why it works
Why a card that talks works
You are remembered
Most cards end up in a drawer. The one that played a video gets shown to colleagues.
It says more
A card holds a name and a number. The AR layer holds your work, your voice and your story.
It stays current
Change the video when your work changes. Cards already handed out show the new version.
A business card that keeps talkingThe printed graphic unfolds into an animation after the card is handed over.ArtiviveWatch on Stories- DHL says thank you on a postcardScanned, the card plays a personal video message from management.Alireza Mokarram for DHL Express AustriaWatch on Stories
Anniversary cards that come to lifeGuests scan the party giveaway and the anniversary characters start to play.GIN, 10 yearsWatch on Stories
A tarot deck that answers backHeld up to the phone, the Ace of Swords blinks and gleams. Every deck sold carries the animations.Studionova, artistWatch on Stories
Christmas cards that come to lifeSnow falls around the card, a sleigh flies past, a jingle plays.ArtiviveWatch on Stories
Ideas to try
Cards worth keeping
A showreel card
Designers, illustrators and filmmakers: a 30 second reel of your work, on the card itself.
A thank-you card
A personal video message from the team, as DHL Express Austria sent to its staff.
An event giveaway
Cards that come to life at the party and keep working after it, like GIN’s anniversary cards.
A greeting card
Snow, a sleigh and a jingle around a classic Christmas card.
A product card
A small card in the box that shows the product in use, or the people who made it.
What you need
Before you start
A short checklist. Everything else happens in Bridge.
- The card design The side people will scan, as .jpg or .png, with detail across the whole surface. Optimise recognition.
- Your story A short video (.mp4, .mov or .gif up to 100 MB), a voice message, your logo in 3D (glTF or GLB). File types.
- A plan that fits Basic is free with 50 views to try it out. For a full print run, Pro has 1,000 views a month. See the plans.
- A line on the card A QR code for WebAR or a short note about the free app, so people know to scan.
How to make it
Make yours in five steps
All in Bridge, the Artivive editor, in your browser. No code.
Design the card
Give the side people will scan a detailed graphic with good contrast, and a line that says it comes to life.
Upload the design
In Bridge, click Create Artwork and upload the card’s artwork as the trigger image.
Add your story
Add a short video, your voice, an animation or your logo in 3D. Thirty seconds is plenty.
Test a printed card
Print one card and scan it with the Artivive app before you order the full run.
Publish and hand it out
Publish and print. Every card you give away now plays your story.
New to Bridge? Your first AR artwork, step by step, or the free course.
Tips
Small things that make it work
Mind the small size
A card is small, so the trigger needs detail across the whole surface. Text alone does not scan well.
Quality paper helps
A matte finish avoids glare that confuses the camera, and a good card makes the digital layer feel worth it.
Point to the app
Add a QR code for WebAR so people can scan without installing anything, or a line about the free app.
Questions
Questions and answers
What is an AR business card?
A printed card with a digital layer. Scanned with a phone, it plays a video, a voice message or an animation on top of the card.
Do people need special equipment?
No. A phone is enough: the free Artivive app, or a WebAR QR code that opens in the browser.
Can I use my own voice?
Yes. Record a voice message or a short video and add it as a layer in Bridge.
How long does it take?
Once your design and your video are ready, a few minutes in Bridge.
Can I update the card later?
Yes. Change the AR in Bridge and publish again. Cards already handed out show the new version.
Can a card link to my contact details?
Add your details as a text or video layer. To give people a link, put a QR code to your website on the card itself.
