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A
Anonymous
January 22, 2026

Non-compliant QR codes

  • January 22, 2026
  • 4 replies
  • 78 views

Hello!

 

Adobe Express generates QR codes with mirrored images.

 

According to QR code specifications, mirror image orientation is an optional feature with no readability guarantee.
Therefore, the “Windows Camera” app cannot read QR codes generated by Adobe Express.
However, these QR codes can be read when physically reflected using a mirror.

 

Could there be a possibility that rows and columns are being swapped within the QR code generation logic?
We would appreciate a prompt bug fix.

 

Additionally, selecting a circle for the “Marker border” setting results in a non-compliant finder pattern.
Unfortunately, “QRQR - QR Code Reader” cannot read this QR code.
(QRQR uses the reading engine developed by Denso Wave, the creator of the QR code specification.)

 

Also, a quiet zone is required around the QR code.

 

Thanks!

    4 replies

    S
    Stefano_Castagna7593
    Participant
    August 20, 2026

    I created a QR code using Adobe Express and entered my own destination URL. The QR code was then exported and professionally printed on a large batch of folders.

    The issue is that the printed QR code now resolves to:

    https://www.adobe.com/express/feature/image/qr-code-generator

    This is obviously not the destination URL I entered when creating the QR code.

    Because the folders have already been printed, this is causing a serious practical and financial issue for us. Reprinting the entire batch would be costly.

    Could you please investigate how this could have happened? I would also like to know whether there is any way to recover or redirect the existing QR code, and what Adobe can offer as a solution given that the error has only become apparent after printing.

    I can provide:

    • the original Adobe Express file;

    • screenshots;

    • a photo or scan of the printed folder;

    • the intended destination URL;

    • and any other information you need to investigate this.

    I would appreciate it if this could be treated as a technical issue rather than a general “how to use QR codes” question, as the QR code was created directly through Adobe Express and now contains an Adobe URL instead of the URL that was entered.

    Thank you in advance for looking into this.

    Rose DV
    Community Manager
    Rose DVCommunity Manager
    Community Manager
    August 20, 2026

    Hi Stefano - thank you for the detailed report!

    To investigate properly, the most useful things you can send are the original Adobe Express file and the exact destination URL you entered when you created the code. You can share the file with me directly like this:

    → Open the project and click Share (top-right)
    → Next to Copy link, click the settings gear
    → Under "Who has access," open the dropdown and choose Anyone with the link
    → Set to "Editor" (you'll see it confirm "Anyone with the link can edit, download and share")
    → Click Copy link

    Then drop that link and the intended URL to me in a DM here, along with a photo or scan of the printed code if you have one handy.

    I want to be straight with you rather than give you false reassurance while I look into it: I don't yet know whether the existing printed codes can be redirected, and I don't want to promise something I can't confirm. What I can promise is that I'm escalating this to the team to understand how the wrong URL ended up in the exported code, and I'll come back to you here as soon as I have real answers on both the cause and what options exist.

    Rose

    Ten A
    Community Expert
    Ten ACommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    January 27, 2026

    Step to Reproduce
    1. Open “Generate QR Code” under “Quick Edit” in browser (https://new.express.adobe.com/home/tools/generate-qr-code)
    2. Enter the source URL “https://ten-artai.com/” to display the QR code in the left window.
    3. Download the QR code.
    4. Both the displayed code and the downloaded code are mirror images.

     

    Expected Result
    A correct QR code is displayed and can be downloaded.

     

    Actual Result
    The QR code is mirrored. It does not conform to the standard.

    The attached “876956i8F66340988309BC3.png” is a specification-compliant QR code generated using QR CodeMaker Pro within Illustrator. It is likely that Express is generating codes with the X and Y axes reversed. While some readers can handle mirrored codes, not all can process them correctly. Please ensure the code is generated in a specification-compliant state.
    Additionally, there may be an issue with the mask penalty calculation, please investigate it.876956i8F66340988309BC3.png876957i6596EE0597E68ED6.png

    A
    Anonymous
    January 22, 2026

    The correct orientation of the QR code is as follows.

     


    The red frame indicates the fixed dark module.
    The blue frame indicates the format information.

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