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katedubs6891
New Participant
July 5, 2018
Answered

Embedded Font issue - PDF Form

  • July 5, 2018
  • 4 replies
  • 5727 views

Hi, so I have created an editable PDF form for my clients to use. I have embedded a Google Font but recently I been getting some complaints from clients saying the fonts "revert" to a standard Arial type font after they input their custom text.

Things to note 1) They are using the most recent version of Adobe Reader 2) I have checked and the font is embedded 3) This hasn't happened with everyone just 5 or so out of 40 clients. Thanks for your help!

    This topic has been closed for replies.
    Correct answer Bevi Chagnon - PubCom.com

    This looks like what happens when fonts aren't embedded into the PDF when the PDF is exported from the source program.

    Fonts don't get embedded for 2 reasons:

    1. The option to embed fonts wasn't set in the PDF conversion options.
    2. The font itself can't be embedded because the manufacturer prevents that.

    Since the other fonts in the document seem to have been embedded, and it's just the "Tristan River Sawyer" that wasn't, I'm inclined to say that the font doesn't have the "permission bit" to allow you to embed it into a PDF. This happens with either very cheap/free fonts or expensive art-house fonts.

    Check your fonts in a font manager program or its "information" dialogue. If it states "embedable," then it can be embedded into a PDF. If not, then use a different font that you have permission to embed into PDFs.

    4 replies

    Bevi Chagnon - PubCom.com
    Bevi Chagnon - PubCom.comCorrect answer
    Brainiac
    July 7, 2018

    This looks like what happens when fonts aren't embedded into the PDF when the PDF is exported from the source program.

    Fonts don't get embedded for 2 reasons:

    1. The option to embed fonts wasn't set in the PDF conversion options.
    2. The font itself can't be embedded because the manufacturer prevents that.

    Since the other fonts in the document seem to have been embedded, and it's just the "Tristan River Sawyer" that wasn't, I'm inclined to say that the font doesn't have the "permission bit" to allow you to embed it into a PDF. This happens with either very cheap/free fonts or expensive art-house fonts.

    Check your fonts in a font manager program or its "information" dialogue. If it states "embedable," then it can be embedded into a PDF. If not, then use a different font that you have permission to embed into PDFs.

    |    Bevi Chagnon   |  Designer, Trainer, & Technologist for Accessible Documents ||    PubCom |    Classes & Books for Accessible InDesign, PDFs & MS Office |
    JR Boulay
    JR Boulay
    Community Expert
    July 6, 2018

    Acrobat : File menu : Send File : Send & Track : Create anonymous link

    Acrobate du PDF, InDesigner et Photoshopographe
    G
    George_Johnson
    Inspiring
    July 6, 2018

    My guess is that it would not work as you think it should and that you'd see the same thing as the other user. It should be easy enough to try.

    To get more information about the nature of the problem, someone who knows more about the inner workings of PDF and forms would have to take a look at it. I'd be happy to if you're free to send a sample.

    K
    katedubs6891Author
    New Participant
    July 6, 2018

    Thanks George, that would be greatly appreciated! I'll see if I can get her to send it to me.

    What would be the best way to get it to you? Attaching here?

    G
    George_Johnson
    Inspiring
    July 6, 2018

    You cannot attach files to a forum posting, so I'll send you a private message via this forum with an email address you can use.

    Bevi Chagnon - PubCom.com
    Bevi Chagnon - PubCom.com
    Brainiac
    July 6, 2018

    Are you saying that the font in the body text portion of the form isn't using the Google font?

    Or is it the font used inside the form fields?

    |    Bevi Chagnon   |  Designer, Trainer, & Technologist for Accessible Documents ||    PubCom |    Classes & Books for Accessible InDesign, PDFs & MS Office |
    K
    katedubs6891Author
    New Participant
    July 6, 2018

    Hi!

    So the first image is what the client sees, and the second image is what it should be. Even the body text is wrong (although it's similar)

    G
    George_Johnson
    Inspiring
    July 6, 2018

    It's hard to say what's the source of the problem is without seeing a sample file that is not behaving as you believe it should. So the user would have to save a copy and send it to you, not just provide a screen capture.

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