Issue with PDF Export – Text and Shapes Rendered as Raster Instead of Vector

[mhdmiho]

I am writing to report a persistent issue I’ve encountered when exporting files from Adobe Photoshop to PDF. Normally, when I export a Photoshop file that contains vector text and shape layers, the exported PDF preserves those elements as vector graphics, which scale without pixelation when zoomed in.

However, in a recent project, despite ensuring that:
- The text layers are editable and not rasterized
- Shape layers are not flattened
- No Smart Objects or Layer Styles were applied
- The file resolution is 300 ppi
- I used the “Save As > Photoshop PDF” method with “High Quality Print” preset

…the resulting PDF renders all elements as rasterized images. When I zoom in on the text, it appears pixelated, as if flattened.

This behavior is inconsistent with previous exports using similar settings. I have tested this on:
- Photoshop Version: [Insert version, e.g., Photoshop 25.1]
- OS: [Insert your system, e.g., Windows 11 / macOS Ventura]
- File Type: PSD with editable text and shapes

I would appreciate your help in identifying whether this is a known bug or if there’s an updated recommended workflow for maintaining true vector output in PDFs from Photoshop.

Thank you for your support.

[D Fosse · Accepted solution]

Where are you viewing the PDF?

Photoshop will always, no exception, render everything on screen as pixels, at the base document resolution. This is irrespective of whether the underlying data are raster or vector.

[mhdmiho]

on Adobe Acrobat Reader.

I encountered an issue when exporting the file from Photoshop 2025. However, it worked perfectly when I exported the same file using Photoshop 2022.