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Julanka
Julanka
Known Participant
February 13, 2018
Answered

QR Code generated with Indesign

  • February 13, 2018
  • 6 replies
  • 4454 views

Hi there,

I use QR codes generated with Indesign, for the design I do within this application and in Adobe Illustrator, by copying & pasting in the working files.

I was wondering if these QR codes are time-limited. One of my clients is concerned if it might stop working at some point, let's say in a couple of years or so.

Any answer is much appreciated, regards.

    This topic has been closed for replies.
    Correct answer Jongware

    I bet these so-called "free" generators made an income because they employed URL-redirectors – instead of directly encoding your URL, they prefix it with some advertising site. You can check this by scanning such a QR code with a general reader, which will show you exactly what text it decodes to.

    InDesign's QR codes are not really that different ... they do encode exactly what text you input (no advertising... well, not yet ), but of course it's your responsibility to make sure the URL they point to stays valid.

    6 replies

    Julanka
    JulankaAuthor
    Known Participant
    February 13, 2018

    Thanks a lot guys. I think this clears up my question.

    T
    Test Screen Name
    Legend
    February 13, 2018

    (When I say it's nothing to do with the app, you could be paying for an app AND a link service in one. But that's not the case with InDesign).

    T
    Test Screen Name
    Legend
    February 13, 2018

    No, it's nothing to do with the app you use. QR codes can't stop working, links can. You aren't paying InDesign for these links... so consider who you are paying...?

      Julanka
      JulankaAuthor
      Known Participant
      February 13, 2018

      Thanks for the reply. The QR codes are web links and the QR code is for a printed materials.

      I have used some free QR code generator websites in the past, sometimes the generated QR code stopped working because obviously I didn't pay. I guess with Indesign is different, right?

      Thank you.

      Jongware
      Community Expert
      JongwareCommunity ExpertCorrect answer
      Community Expert
      February 13, 2018

      I bet these so-called "free" generators made an income because they employed URL-redirectors – instead of directly encoding your URL, they prefix it with some advertising site. You can check this by scanning such a QR code with a general reader, which will show you exactly what text it decodes to.

      InDesign's QR codes are not really that different ... they do encode exactly what text you input (no advertising... well, not yet ), but of course it's your responsibility to make sure the URL they point to stays valid.

      T
      Test Screen Name
      Legend
      February 13, 2018

      QR codes themselves are a way of coding information. This won’t stop working. But what about the information itself? For example is a link to a web page or it a link shortening service? Either of these could be switched off in the future. 

      Geоrge
      Geоrge
      Legend
      February 13, 2018

      How you think to apply this? By disappearing ink print?))

      Alternative way: Do a link to the web-page. In CMS do in the settings of the page the "dead"-date.

      Remember, never say you can't do something in InDesign, it's always just a question of finding the right workaround to get the job done. © David Blatner
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