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ishfaqbaijoo
ishfaqbaijoo
Known Participant
September 8, 2017
Question

Subset Fonts

  • September 8, 2017
  • 7 replies
  • 12078 views

Hello,

I need to send my PDF for commercial print.

I do not want to outline my fonts.

I usually use flattener preview to outline or give them all my fonts to install.

However if I set my percentage of font subset in InDesign to 0%, does that mean my printer will not need my fonts or I do not have to outline my text?

Thank you in advance.

    This topic has been closed for replies.

    7 replies

    T
    Test Screen Name
    Legend
    June 11, 2018

    So far as I know, InDesign will always embed a font (use export, not print to PDF).

    T
    Test Screen Name
    Legend
    June 11, 2018

    By the way if you updated the font yourself take great care to update the various unique IDs or it's pretty certain the wrong version will get used sometime.

    Raphaël Freeman
    Raphaël Freeman
    Known Participant
    June 11, 2018

    no, this is a commercial Adobe font that I purchased from Linotype. There was a serious bug in the typeface that Adobe fixed and I asked Linotype to ship me the latest version which they did. Since I do 95% of my typesetting in Arno, it’s important to me that the latest (fixed) version is printed.

    But how can you embed a font in InDesign?

    T
    Test Screen Name
    Legend
    June 11, 2018

    If you write subset below: 97%, you will almost always get a subset. It's virtually impossible to use more than 97% of a font.

    If you write subset below: 0%, that seems to mean never subset. But perhaps it's magic for "always".

    In fact it is getting almost irrelevant as OpenType fonts are always subsetted, as I understand, as they are otherwise too big.

    Anyway, none of this affects whether your printer uses the right font or not, subsetting is not at all relevant. Embedding is what matters.

    T
    Test Screen Name
    Legend
    September 12, 2017

    Find a printer who has kept up to date with the last 20 years.

    J
    Community Expert
    Jeffrey_SmithCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    September 8, 2017

    A subset will encode only the glyphs used in the document in the export. The PDF Font Properties will show embedded subset.

    However if I set my percentage of font subset in InDesign to 0%

    This will embed all glyphs in the export, regardless of whether they were used or not . The PDF Font Properties will show embedded, and create a larger file than the subset version.

    Dov Isaacs
    Dov Isaacs
    Legend
    September 8, 2017

    However, non-subset embedding (embedding all glyphs in a font whether used by the text or not) buys you absolutely nothing other than bloated PDF file size.

    The only time you non-subset embedding is of any use and for that matter is required, is if you use a particular font for PDF forms fields. (And of course, InDesign doesn't let you choose a form field's font and thus, full font embedding in PDF exported from InDesign is effectively irrelevant!)

              - Dov

    - Dov Isaacs, former Adobe Principal Scientist (April 30, 1990 - May 30, 2021)
    J
    Community Expert
    Jeffrey_SmithCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    September 8, 2017

    I will add this situation as one that required the 0% subset method. Exporting a PDF for a program, where there are various PDF advertisements from different sources, on the same page, and sharing same fonts. The solution was to export with complete font embedding.

    Dov Isaacs
    Dov Isaacs
    Legend
    September 8, 2017

    Exactly what is the issue?

    A properly created PDF file from InDesign has fonts subset-embedded.

    The resultant PDF file should have no issues whatsoever with regards to printing text using those embedded fonts.

    If you are sending a PDF file for commercial printing, the fact that the fonts are embedded in the PDF file means that you don't need to provide any fonts externally to the printer.

    You should never, repeat never, repeat once again “outline text” as such processes degrade quality and terribly bloat the size of the PDF file and can dramatically increase RIP time.

              - Dov

    - Dov Isaacs, former Adobe Principal Scientist (April 30, 1990 - May 30, 2021)
      ishfaqbaijoo
      ishfaqbaijooAuthor
      Known Participant
      September 12, 2017

      I agree InDesign embed the fonts in the PDF.

      But last time, my printer said they need the fonts converted because their computer could not recognize it.

      Any solution here?

      Dov Isaacs
      Dov Isaacs
      Legend
      September 12, 2017

      Sounds like you have a “printer” who is either using very archaic software or RIPs or is trying to do something ridiculous such as attempting to edit arbitrary PDF files in Adobe Illustrator.

      I would look for another printer. There are plenty of them out there, some much more knowledgeable and competent than others.

                - Dov

      - Dov Isaacs, former Adobe Principal Scientist (April 30, 1990 - May 30, 2021)
      T
      Test Screen Name
      Legend
      September 8, 2017

      1. Subsetting fonts is pretty much always done today, it is basically an obsolete preference.

      2. You can only legally send fonts to the printer if they already own a license WHATEVER THE PRINTER SAYS.

      3. Flattener preview is not designed to remove fonts; sometimes it does this as a side effect, but often it will not.

      4. If you embed a font (subset or not) the printer does not need them unless they are going to edit your file; you should negotiate on this point.

      5. Outlining, rasterising and flattening is considered obsolete and poor practice.

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