Non-compliant QR codes

Forum|Forum|5 months ago
January 22, 2026
2 replies
62 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!

Ten A

Community Expert

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 “correctQR.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.correctQR.pngexpressGenerated.png

A

Anonymous

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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