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GPX solved case

Fonts not embedded in PDF: printing issues and solutions

I sent a PDF to the printer and they told me that some text could have font issues. The PDF looks perfect on my computer. How can I tell if I can send it to print without risks?

By Cristiano Zappacosta — Senior Graphic Production Consultant

The problem

I sent a PDF to the printer and they told me that some text could have font issues. The PDF looks perfect on my computer. How can I tell if I can send it to print without risks?

Cause and analysis

The fonts are not embedded in the PDF, so the printer does not have the original font files and risks automatically substituting them during printing, altering the appearance of the document

The fonts are embedded but the printer uses verification software (preflight) that does not correctly recognize some special characters or variants, generating a false alarm even though the PDF is technically correct

Solution proposed by GPX

A possible cause is the absence of font embedding in the PDF, which makes the document dependent on the fonts available on the printer's machine

Limitations of this analysis

This analysis is generated with the support of Artificial Intelligence: always verify its correctness and applicability before using it. The reliability level of this analysis is "Medium", not the highest possible.

Checks before proceeding

  • Verify the font embedding status in your PDF using the method suggested in the question. This is the most critical data for deciding whether the file is actually ready or if a new export is needed

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