InDesign replaces a font for "license" purposes when the font is free to use for any purpose

Forum|Forum|12 days ago
May 26, 2026
2 replies
85 views

I’m using the font “36 days ago BRK” that is free to use for any purpose, yet InDesign insists on replacing it as i export my PDF because of “licensing issues”. I’m not using Adobe Fonts, I simply downloaded a free-use font off the internet. I don’t want to start using Adobe Fonts or find another font to replace it. What’s really annoying is that it used to work on older versions. I don’t know why this is an issue now.

Correct answer leo.r

Is it possible the the font’s PDF Embedding flag is set to false, that is, it’s not allowed to embed this font in PDF?

rob day

Community Expert

I don’t want to start using Adobe Fonts

Hi @Valentine974 , Is there a reason why you don’t want to use Adobe Fonts? It’s a large library of high quality fonts that you’ve effectively paid for with your subscription.

Valentine974Author

Participant

I wrote this mostly because I’ve never used it and I was in a rush and didn’t want to have to learn a new adobe app just to replace a font that worked in the past. It’s also because when I first looked up my issue online, adobe fonts kept showing up and that kind of annoyed me because it wasn’t helping ahah But now that I’m not in a rush anymore I’ll look into it, i agree that it’ll most likely be easier in the long run

rob day

Community Expert

...it’ll most likely be easier in the long run

If you decide to try them, one thing to watch out for is Adobe Fonts normally get activated—not installed in a system font folder, which takes some getting used to.

Watch out for conflicts with fonts you might have installed in one of your system’s font folders, that have the same name, but different version numbers as a font activated from Adobe Fonts.

Bill Silbert

Community Expert

Has this happened with any other “free use” fonts? It seems possible that there may be something questionable about the font that you’re trying to use. Downloading free fonts is always a gamble.

Valentine974Author

Participant

Just this one, so maybe this one font is the problem. But I don’t understand why it worked in the past and now not. And most importantly, why does InDesign flag it as a license issue if there’s something else going on

leo.r

Correct answer

Community Expert

Is it possible the the font’s PDF Embedding flag is set to false, that is, it’s not allowed to embed this font in PDF?

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