How to embed and subset fonts in a pdf for long-term archiving
- Step 1Upload the PDF — Drop the document into the font subsetter.
- Step 2Enable both embedding and subsetting — Ensure all fonts are embedded and subsetted in the output.
- Step 3Download the archive-ready PDF — Save the self-contained, subsetted PDF.
- Step 4Validate against PDF/A standard — Run the PDF through a PDF/A validator to confirm compliance.
Frequently asked questions
Does font subsetting meet PDF/A requirements?+
Yes — PDF/A requires all fonts to be embedded. Subsetting is a valid form of embedding for PDF/A compliance.
Will the archived PDF look the same in 50 years?+
Yes — embedded subsetted fonts render the document identically regardless of the system's installed fonts, preserving appearance indefinitely.
What if the PDF uses a proprietary licensed font?+
Check the font's licence before embedding for archival. Some font licences restrict embedding. If restricted, convert the text to outlines (paths) before archiving.
Privacy first
All PDF processing runs locally in your browser using PDF-lib and pdf.js. No file is ever uploaded — only metadata counters are saved for signed-in dashboard stats.