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Participating Frequently
November 7, 2024
Answered

Please add "Convert fonts to outlines" function in Export/PDF/Advanced dialog box in InDesign.

  • November 7, 2024
  • 39 replies
  • 4529 views

Dear Adobe!

Please add "Convert fonts to outlines" function in Export/PDF/Advanced dialog box in InDesign.

Thank you!

Correct answer Frans v.d. Geest

For Gods sake: why???
You would never, never need it. And in that very, very rare case you would, you can do so in Acrobat already or (but again: very, very bad!) do it in InDesign with  a flattener pre-set in InDesign at Export to PDF. 

39 replies

Participant
September 19, 2026

I also think it would be superfluous, but very often many printers and online print services explicitly ask for all text to be converted to outlines. I know the function exists in Acrobat, but why add an extra step (and not a very intuitive one at that) when there could be a direct option right in InDesign's print context menu?

rob day
Community Expert
Community Expert
September 19, 2026

online print services explicitly ask for all text to be converted to outlines

 

Online printers request outlines as a hedge against missing fonts in their automated preflight systems—they don’t need outlines if all of the document fonts have been included with the PDF.

 

I’ve done a lot of online printing and have never converted text to outlines, but I will double check that the fonts are included via Acrobat’s Document Properties > Fonts.

Frans v.d. Geest
Community Expert
Frans v.d. GeestCommunity ExpertCorrect answer
Community Expert
November 7, 2024

For Gods sake: why???
You would never, never need it. And in that very, very rare case you would, you can do so in Acrobat already or (but again: very, very bad!) do it in InDesign with  a flattener pre-set in InDesign at Export to PDF. 

Colin Flashman
Community Expert
Community Expert
November 14, 2024

I'm going to be the Devil's advocate here and actually agree that it would be required.

From time to time, I have to deal with suppliers that aren't in the ink-on-paper space but still involved in printing, but they need to handle the files that I've given them that were created in InDesign. Now these suppliers range from applying spot UV varnishes to making hot foil stamps or emboss/deboss blocks - the two latter are often done with cnc machining and they need to open the files outside of Acrobat... so naturally one of the first issues they will have is missing fonts... and I certainly don't want them to substitute the fonts out!

It's also very easy to say "use another provider" but come to Adelaide sometime and see just how many providers we have that are local and not interstate in Melbourne or Sydney. Cost and Time does play a big part in who we use as a contractor and I'd love to say to my supplier "get with the times" but they'll just tell me to "get another supplier" that will add days to the turnaround and eat $$$ of margin.

However, I do agree with Bob Levine that this isn't the place to ask - the indesign uservoice is where to make the feature requests.

If the answer wasn't in my post, perhaps it might be on my blog at colecandoo!
Participating Frequently
November 14, 2024

Thanks, I have exactly the same problems with some print providers!

BobLevine
Community Expert
Community Expert
November 7, 2024

Feature requests should be made here: Adobe InDesign: Feature Requests: Top (5097 ideas) – Adobe InDesign

 

Note: you must make a firm case for why this feature is needed. AFAIC, it's not, so don't expect a lot of support for it.

Participating Frequently
November 7, 2024

Thank you, but I think it's evident and efficient!

Robert at ID-Tasker
Legend
November 7, 2024
quote

Thank you, but I think it's evident and efficient!


By @graceful_Mirage3830

 

Text outlining is only required for cutting or very old RIPs - not in a normal circumstances. 

 

JR Boulay
Community Expert
Community Expert
November 7, 2024

This feature is already available in Acrobat Pro.

 

Acrobate du PDF, InDesigner et Photoshopographe
Participating Frequently
November 7, 2024

Thank you, but I know the Acrobat Pro Preflight function (and us it).

I think it better and simplier in workflow in the InDesign as function.