Text and fonts in PDF files

To embed fonts in a PDF file
To convert TrueType fonts to Type 1 fonts
To export text as curves

You can determine how the text in your PDF file outputs by setting text and font options.

You can embed fonts in a PDF file. Embedding increases the file size but makes a PDF file more portable, since the fonts do not have to reside on other systems. When you embed base 14 fonts, the fonts are added to your PDF file, thus eliminating font variances on different systems. The base 14 fonts are resident on all PostScript devices.

You can also convert TrueType fonts to Type 1 fonts, which can increase file size if there are many fonts in a file. When you convert fonts, you can reduce file size by subsetting fonts if you use only a smaller number of characters (for example, English characters A to E). You can also include a percentage of fonts used. For example, you can create a subset that contains 50 percent of the fonts. If the number of characters used in the document exceeds 50 percent, the whole set of characters is embedded. If the number of characters used in the document is less than 50 percent, only the characters used are embedded.

Note that Type 1 fonts are considered outdated in the font industry and have been replaced by TrueType and OpenType formats. It is anticipated that most operating systems will transition to the newer font technologies, thereby phasing out the Type 1 format. To avoid potential text issues in your documents, it is recommended to replace Type 1 fonts with TrueType (TTF) or OpenType (OTF) fonts. For more information, see Reference: Type 1 fonts and Substitute fonts.

You can also eliminate font variances on different computers by exporting text as curves. For example, if you are using unusual text characters, you can export the text as curves. Exporting text as curves increases the complexity of the file and can increase file size. For general document publication, embed fonts in a document rather than convert text to curves.

To embed fonts in a PDF file

Back to Top
1 Click File Publish to PDF.
2 Locate the folder in which you want to save the file.
3 Type a filename in the File name box.
4 Click Settings.
The PDF settings dialog box appears.
5 Click the Objects tab.
6 Enable the Embed fonts in document check box.
If you want to install the basic fonts to your PDF file, enable the Embed base 14 fonts check box.
7 Click OK.
8 Click Save.

*

Enabling the Embed base 14 fonts check box increases file size, and, therefore, it is not recommended for publishing to the web.

To convert TrueType fonts to Type 1 fonts

Back to Top
1 Click File Publish to PDF.
2 Locate the folder in which you want to save the file.
3 Type a filename in the File name box.
4 Click Settings.
The PDF settings dialog box appears.
5 Click the Objects tab.
6 Enable the Convert TrueType to Type 1 check box.
If you want to reduce file size, you can create a subset of fonts by enabling the Subset fonts check box and typing a percentage of fonts used in the % box.
7 Click OK.
8 Click Save.

*

If you create a subset of fonts, some characters from the font may not be present in the file when editing the PDF file in Adobe Acrobat.

To export text as curves

Back to Top
1 Click File Publish to PDF.
2 Locate the folder in which you want to save the file.
3 Type a filename in the File name box.
4 Click Settings.
The PDF settings dialog box appears.
5 Click the Objects tab.
6 Enable the Export all text as curves check box.
7 Click OK.
8 Click Save.

Was this page helpful? Send feedback.