Why don't activated fonts transfer to an outside printer?

[mtcte]

I activated and downloaded an Adobe font accessed through my subscription. When I packaged my InDesign files to send to the printer, the font wasn't included. Fortunately, I had only used the font in a single headline and was able to change it to outlines. What good does it do to be offered the use of fonts if they can't be transferred to an outside printer? My printer expects native files, not a PDF that would embed the font. Am I missing something?

[Willi Adelberger · Accepted solution]

1. Anyone who has a legal version of InDesign CC has access to the fonts. Your printer should have it.
2. Outlining any font in InDesign is not a good idea.
3. You should never deliver open INDD files to any printer, export PDF. If a printer does not accept PDFs, get another one. A printer who does not accept PDFs should not be on the market since more than 20 Years.

[BobLevine]

You're missing plenty. For starters, as Willi already pointed out, anyone with a valid subscription would be able to automatically activate that font. Secondly, I would never use a printer that didn't want a PDF. Sending a live file is a recipe for disaster.