QR Code InDesign – changing link

[Anastasia5FE4]

Dear all, 
by any chnace is there a way to update the URL the QR is leading to POST IT HAS BEEN PRODUCED / PRINTED? 
Quickly re my case: we generated a QR code and the URL is wrong, but the materilas are printed so how can we link back to the correct URL without a re-print? 

THX 

[Jeffrey_Smith]

The QR code is forever tied to the URL. If the URL is one that you manage and control, then you have some options. Change the content of the page, or put in place a redirect to the correct destination. For reprinting, you could consider a label to cover bogus QR code.

[Brad @ Roaring Mouse]

You might consider Dynamic QR codes in the future (InDesign only generates static ones). A dynamic code allows you to change/update information after the fact without regenerating a code you might have printed. This involves engaging the services of a 3rd party QR code hoster and these tend to be subscription-based.

Another advantage is that they can be quite a bit simpler. Static codes can get pretty detailed when there's lots of info in them.

[Eugene Tyson]

The QR code is essentially a code that is decoded. 

It's like an encrypted text string, once the camera accesses the encryption code - and decrypts it - it reveals the hidden text.

Which is already set. 

There is no way to change it.

My question is - how wrong is it? 

Typically if it's still linked to your domain - you can setup a redirect within your company to direct people to the correct page. 

Your IT can look into this. 

For example if you said that the file should go to www. yourdomain . com / eventtitleiswrong

Then your company can setup a redirect for that page. So when people visit the wrong eventitle - it redirects to the correct page.

[INDIEFEMME FILMS]

Isn't it crazy to have an option to edit.. but you really can't edit? Now I have less than 24 hours to cover cards with stickers. Live and learn. (misleading option)

[Eugene Tyson]

The QR code is preset data - as already explained. 

You can use online services like Bitly (which creates a shortened url) and you can control the content from there.

There are other QR code managers out there.

But basically if you make a mistake with the 'static' QR code - then it will remain forever.

What you need (and not on offer with InDesign) is 'dynamic QR code' - which is misnomer, as the dynamic part is the backend of where the QR code goes to - QR code remains the same.

Unless you setup backend information for your QR code you're stuck with incorrect code.

And the only person that falls on is the person who did it.

[James Gifford—NitroPress]

Just to (redundantly) sum up: once you generate a code, it's static. You can edit it within the document, just as you can edit any text or graphic, but once exported to a fixed format (JPEG, PDF, etc.) or printed, editing the file will do no more good than if you changed the title or rewrote the introduction there.

If you're going to print QR codes, it's essential to think through the lifespan of the printed piece, and if possible use a simplified/redirected URL. If, for example, you use [http] [www] [mydomain] \CONTACT instead of a fully formed link to your contract page, you can redirect that first version to any location suitable for your contact info, even if it changes over time. A tattered old card or brochure or poster can work five years later if you keep the redirection updated.

I'd recommend some variation of that, or variations ET has recommended, but stay away from pay-me services where the code only works as long as you maintain a per-month or per-click subscription. Those services often rhapsodize wildly about their "dynamic" codes and all that is dynamic is the ongoing cost, which can be wholly avoided with the other methods.

But not being able to "edit" the codes on your printed cards is... not exactly InDesign's fault. 🙂

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

Isn't it crazy to have an option to edit.. but you really can't edit? Now I have less than 24 hours to cover cards with stickers. Live and learn. (misleading option)

By @INDIEFEMME FILMS

But you can edit QR code? 

QR code is a graphical representation of a bunch of characters - same as barcodes.

The main difference - beside the look - QR code can store more information. 

If you apply wrong EAN to the product or ISBN to the book - there is nothing you can do either.