Open .pdf in Illustrator - Convert Fonts & Embed Images

Converting fonts to curves is considered an obsolete and basically wrong thing to do (except for laser cutters etc). Sending fonts with the file is possibly illegal. Your customers seem to be doing the right thing, despite your strange demands... our advice to people who post here from that customer’s perspective is generally to find another print shop, if the print shop won’t take normal files.

Opening PDF in Illustrator is also considered a wrong thing to do. It’s not a general PDF editor or a substitute for Acrobat.

If if you can tell us why you see that you need the customer to do this, we may be able to suggest a way forward for you that pleases you both.

"I run into this all the time with a couple customers. They never convert fonts to curves and will not/can not send the fonts with the file. Same with images, they never send the linked images with the .pdf file.

- As previously posted, the fonts should have been embedded and the image file(s) become part of the PDF when created properly.  You have to communicate the problem with the customer.  If necessary, create a proof of their PDF and send it to them.  Obvious problems will be detected and hopefully they will find it necessary to supply you with whatever you need.

Is there a way to have the fonts converted to curves and the linked images embedded in the illustrator file when I open the .pdf in Illustrator?

- In order to outline fonts, you need the printer version of the font loaded in its font suitcase.  If you do not have the font, then no outlines.  The text should be left "live" and not outlined unless absolutely necessary.

I use to open the .pdf in Acrobat Pro then flatten the image in there and select text to curves but I don't have Acrobat Pro anymore.

Is there a process for photos and text to be opened from the ,pdf with linking to the images or the fonts?"

- If you are able to open the PDF or, as Monika has suggested, Placing the PDF in a new Illustrator file, the original Illustrator or InDesign file should have edit capablilities enabled in either application.  As I previously posted, the file should be rejected if it cannot be either edited or output.  In some cases, it was necessary to contact the customer and request the original file(s) so the file could be worked with and then ultimately converted to a print ready PDF.

If the PDF is created properly, the font should be embedded, the image becomes part of the file as long as the resolution is appropriate. You should not have to use Illustrator unless you are making text changes or image replacement.

You could just RIP and print what they gave you. Most prepress bureaus I have worked for would not accept the file.  Is it your company's policy to waste valuable time fixing files?

Create a new Illustrator file and then Place the PDF in it (don't embed)

Then Object > flatten transparency.

For the images you can use Photoshop to get them in best quality and the original color space