Native fonts

[Joel Schaffer]

I have client PDFs with fonts embedded. When I open the file in illustrator, the fonts are missing, but I see them in Acrobat Pro DC.  How can I translate this for work in illustrator?

JDS Musicman

[Monika Gause · Accepted solution]

You won't be able to edit the text in any way.

Create a new AI file. Place the PDF in it (linked, not embedded). Select it and Object > Flatten transparency.

Check "Outline type".

[Srishti Bali]

Hi Joel Schaffer,

Acrobat will never show you font error even if you do not have same font on your system(However it will not allow you to edit text in same font if the font is not on system), but Illustrator will give missing font error if the font is not available either on system or typekit.

In order to get that work, you can opt for any of below mentioned ways

Search font on typekit and sync (applicable only on CC versions)

Browse fonts | Typekit

Or, get font file and install on your system

Or, get packaged file from your client (font will not get packaged if it is a licensed font or  Chinese ,Japanese or Korean font)https://helpx.adobe.com/illustrator/using/package-files.html

Package files in Illustrator

Regards

Srishti

[Ton Frederiks]

In a PDF a subset of the fonts can be embedded for print and preview.

To edit the text with the fonts in the PDF, you need to have the fonts installed on your machine.

If you get a packaged Illustrator file, where the fonts are saved into a Fonts folder, you are only allowed to use those when you personally have a license for those fonts too. Because there can be different versions of the fonts and you want your document to be edited and printed with the same font as you used to create the document. That is the only reason for using a packaged font.

If you do not have a license for the font, use Monica's answer.