Size/bleed error of 0,001mm

[defaultd1f7p8zddoiy]

Hi everyone, 
I have an issue with InDesign recently, when I export a document and check it with the preflight of Acrobat, most of the time I have a 0,001 mm error with the size or/and with the bleed. 

 
I'm know i'm not the only one. Where I work, many people have this annoying problem.

Any ideas where this come from ?
Thanks.

 

 

[Abhishek Rao]

Hi @defaultd1f7p8zddoiy,

Thanks for reaching out! Could you provide the following details to help troubleshoot this issue:

1. Which version of InDesign are you using?
2. What is your operating system (macOS/Windows version)?
3. Is this issue specific to one document, or does it happen with all documents?

This issue may occur due to minor rounding differences in bleed or page size calculations during export. To address this:

• Ensure that your document setup (page size and bleed settings) matches the export settings exactly.
• Double-check the bleed values in File > Document Setup and ensure they match your desired output.
• When exporting to PDF, verify the bleed settings under Marks and Bleeds.

Also, if the issue persists, we would like you to share the file with us for testing. Let me know if these steps help.

Best,
Abhishek Rao

[defaultd1f7p8zddoiy]

Hi @Abhishek Rao 
1. I'm on 20.0, but some other people with same issues are on 20.0.1
2. I'm on Mac OS 15.1.1, but some other people with same issues are on Windows.
3. It happen with different size. 
• Already done
• Done
• Done too

Here is a file with just a magenta rectangle and I still have the problem (only with the bleed this time).

 

[Abhishek Rao]

Hi @defaultd1f7p8zddoiy,

Thanks for sharing the details and files!

I exported the document to Adobe PDF (Print) and ensured that Use Document Bleed Settings option was checked in the Marks and Bleeds section of the export window. The bleed values matched in the exported PDF.

Could you provide a screen recording of your entire workflow, demonstrating how the issue occurs? Also, could you confirm the version of Acrobat you're using for the preflight check?

Looking forward to your response!

Best,
Abhishek Rao

[defaultd1f7p8zddoiy]

@Abhishek Rao 
My Acrobat Pro version is 2024.004.20272
Here is a video of the issue : 

[Abhishek Rao]

Hi @defaultd1f7p8zddoiy,

Thanks for sharing the Acrobat version and the video!

In the export settings, please avoid selecting the All Printer's Marks or Crop Marks options. Ensure only the Use Document Bleed Settings checkbox is selected in the Marks and Bleeds section, then export the document again.

Let me know the outcome!

Best,
Abhishek Rao

[defaultd1f7p8zddoiy]

@Abhishek Rao 
Same issue, even without selecting the All Printer's Marks or Crop Marks options.
In fact, it's even worse, because now, it's not just the bleed, it's also the size, as you can see.

 

[Abhishek Rao]

Hi @defaultd1f7p8zddoiy,

Thanks for sharing the update and the screenshot!

I’ve tested this on my end, and the export works fine without any preflight errors.

I’d suggest trying the following steps to resolve the issue:

1. Reset InDesign Preferences:
   Follow this guide to reset your InDesign preferences: Reset InDesign Preferences.

2. Reset Acrobat Preferences:
   If the issue persists, reset your Acrobat preferences by following the steps here: Reset Acrobat Preferences.

3. Check with the Acrobat Community:
   If resetting preferences doesn’t resolve the issue, I recommend raising this in the Acrobat community for additional assistance: Acrobat Community.

Let me know how it goes!

Best,
Abhishek Rao

[defaultd1f7p8zddoiy]

@Abhishek Rao 
Thank for your time.
Sorry bother you with this but I check your screenshot, and something is bothering me : have you set the Preflight for detecting sizes errors ? This is mine for example :

It surprises me because since a year ago even a good a sized file is marked as error if it had bleed. It's well know thing by professionals around me. So i'm suprised to not see at least the error message on your screenshot.

 

[leo.r]

I suspect that it happens due to an internal conversion of points into millimeters. What if you set that tolerance value to 0.001 or something similarly small - will it suppress the error?

[Brad @ Roaring Mouse]

This is a rounding artifact, and frankly, nothing to be concerned about because of how minuscule the error is.

You have to remember that any Postscript-based desktop publishing program is based in points, whether you use millimetres as your units or not. So when you work in InDesign with your units to millimetres, there's always a conversion to points (and back) going on in the workflow.

In your case, 400 mm is equal to 1133.85826771776(etc) in points. Although, in reality are converted with only 3 digit or even just 2 digit accuracy, so it could be written in the PDF as maybe 1133.858 or 1133.86. Now, when you view that back in Acrobat, these point values are being converted back to millimetres, again with maybe only 2 or 3 digit accuracy, hence why you are getting numbers like 399.999. In contrast, your 300 dimension converts more cleanly as it converts to 850.394 and then back to 300.000105.., but with the accuracy fudging is back to 300.0 as expected.

It seems weird, but this is actually normal behaviour.

[Brad @ Roaring Mouse]

Out of curiousity, which Preflight profile are you using that detects this?

[defaultd1f7p8zddoiy]

@leo.r Tried, still the same issue.

Brad @ Roaring Mouse @leo.r 
I understand your idea but if you are right it's all new, I never experimented something like this with Acrobat.

I use this Preflight setting :

 

[Mike Witherell]

I think it is a rounding error, too. But one way to test is for the OP to setup a similar test but using Picas and Points instead of Millimeters. If the same procedure gives more rounding errors, something else might be wrong.