EPS Import: UnmatchedMark error

[adrianb58103430]

This pops up when copy/pasting a vector image from Illustrator to InDesign. Only from recent update.

Needs to be fixed ASAP. 

 

[Angus Hume]

Screen recording of the behaviour I see. 

[Eugene Tyson]

This setting in Illustrator is causing the error

Switch the option beneath and it works - but doesn't bring in the gradient. 

EDIT * sorry include SVG also is on for me and it copies/pastes without the error.

[Eugene Tyson]

Very random - it was working for me - now it's not - clearly a bug. 

Moved the fill above the stroke and now it copies and pastes just fine

But the gradient is not coming into InDesign

(just to note in the illustrator preferences to have Include SVG turned on)

[Eugene Tyson]

Further testing - I cannot get a gradient swatch to transfer to InDesign. 

Not in ASE - or CC Libraries etc. 

Not transferring.

[rob day]

Further testing - I cannot get a gradient swatch to transfer to InDesign.

Hi @Eugene Tyson , I wonder if this is a Windows problem—the MacOS clipboard is a PDF object. I’ve never seen the EPS Import error @adrianb58103430 is showing on MacOS.

[Eugene Tyson]

Can test and will. 

[Abhishek Rao]

Hi everyone,

Thank you for all the details and testing you've been sharing here. I tried copying gradient filled artwork from the latest Illustrator into InDesign on my side as well, and I am seeing the same 'EPS Import: UnmatchedMark error' when pasting. I've already checked this with our product team, so we can understand what changed and work toward a fix. I’'l keep you posted as soon as I have more information from them. In the meantime, please feel free to let me know if you notice anything new in your testing.

Looking forward to updating you soon.

Abhishek

[gavinparker]

Found a fix.

Check 'Prefer PDF when Pasting' in 'Clipboard Handling' preferences on Indesign.

[Eugene Tyson]

It's tempermental - it doesn't paste the gradient, it pastes an image, so you don't get the gradient in InDesign. 

Yes, you can change the preferences and gradient type to force the copy and paste. 

But the result is not the same as what is in Illustrator - this is why file>Place is preferred at the moment.

[jilljamgd]

Gavin, Using your suggestion of checking "Prefer  PDF when Pasting" in the Clipboard Handling preferences in InDesign 2026 is the only thing so far that I've found that works  to avoid the "Unmatched Mark Error" without having to save every element as an AI file and "placing" into ID as Eugene Tyson suggests. His way can be very cumbersome if you have lots of elements. My gradients look like they are supposed. However, your way is just a temporary fix, I hope! It does not paste an editible gradient into InDesign nor does it add the swatch to the Swatch Palette. But, I can work with this until ADOBE FIXES THIS PROBLEM! I hope...I  hope! Thank you. 

[Eugene Tyson]

The Preferences method was actually one of the first things suggested, and it does help in some cases. Everything since has really been people troubleshooting the fallout from the bug rather than solving it.

For me that preference switch has been very hit or miss. I’ve said a few times now that it is not reliable, and that still stands. Sometimes it behaves, sometimes it does nothing, sometimes it gives you a completely different result.

 What you get is a low resolution composite that only looks correct on the surface. It is not the native Illustrator data at all.

So the preference toggle is not a fix. It is just a temporary dodge. The underlying problem is still the same and it needs to be corrected on Adobe’s side.

[jilljamgd]

Eugene. Yes, I get what you are saying that "Prefer PDF when Pasting"  is not ideal, but it is a solution to some situations...for now.  For some of my projects, I just need the pages to look good on the screen or in Acrobat PDF file and I think this method could work temporarily. I need to experiment more with it to see for sure. The positive thing is that this problem is now on your radar and, hopefully, Adobe can find a fix for it soon. As you can see, many of us designers use the copy/paste method even though you prefer the "place" method. We are in the "trenches" and so our first-hand experience and feed back is invaluable to Adobe, I would think. Thank you for all your answers and considerations. And, I like that you are willing to admit there is a bug and that a fix is needed here! 

[Eugene Tyson]

I hear you. If the goal is simply to get something looking right on screen or in a quick PDF, then Prefer PDF when Pasting can absolutely get you over the hump for now. No argument there. It is just good to be aware of what you’re actually getting, which is a composite rather than the real editable gradient.

My testing shows unreliable pasting, sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't, and swtiching the preferences around didn't make a difference. Until it suddenly worked again. I haven't tested extensively, or anything like that, but I did observe that behaviour.

Copy and paste is a perfectly valid workflow. Loads of designers rely on it every day and I’m not trying to take that away from anyone, I've actually been advocating as a valid workflow since the beginning posts (even though I don't agree with it). 

The main thing is that this behaviour has seemingly changed in the 2026 release and seemingly not in a good way.

The more of reporting it gets with clear examples, the better the chance Adobe will patch it. At least we’ve narrowed a bug of sorts, so they have something specific to aim at.

Keep testing whatever works for your projects and share what you find. First hand experience from people in the trenches, as you said yourself, is exactly what gets these things fixed.

[Alizee1402009]

Bonjour,

pour résoudre ce problème de manière transitoire, il suffit d’enregistrer le dégradé que vous souhaitez utiliser en PDF, puis d’ouvrir ce fichier directement dans InDesign. Vous récupérerez ainsi toutes les valeurs souhaitées. Bien à vous, Christophe

[Charlene S]

Hello,

I'm not sure if this has been resolved yet.

While, I tend to agree that placing (command D) a graphic is an optimal workflow step, my main issue/question, is how to bring a gradient that I created in Illustrator over to InDesign. Placing the element/graphic doesn't solve the problem. I can't add it to swatches and it won't come in on a copy and paste. 

I've tried all of the above suggestions. 

Anyone find a new work arouond?