Vectorizing a text: why?
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sarahmoon Posted messages 600 Status Contributeur -
sarahmoon Posted messages 600 Status Contributeur -
Hello,
I need help because I'm tearing my hair out with some printers I work with. With some, I send my PDF as is and I have no issues. However, recently, some printers are asking me for systematic vectorization.
I don't understand why. I know how to do it; it's not a problem, but it's tedious on a doc with several pages.
Moreover, we can do it in several ways (Text -> Vectorize) or check the vectorize text option in the predefined settings, but I don’t understand why it works by creating a PDF compatibility 1.3 and not in 1.4. Does that have an impact?
Aren't the non-vectorized fonts incorporated into the PDF?
I can't find a clear and simple explanation on the internet.
So if there’s a kind soul here..
Thank you
I need help because I'm tearing my hair out with some printers I work with. With some, I send my PDF as is and I have no issues. However, recently, some printers are asking me for systematic vectorization.
I don't understand why. I know how to do it; it's not a problem, but it's tedious on a doc with several pages.
Moreover, we can do it in several ways (Text -> Vectorize) or check the vectorize text option in the predefined settings, but I don’t understand why it works by creating a PDF compatibility 1.3 and not in 1.4. Does that have an impact?
Aren't the non-vectorized fonts incorporated into the PDF?
I can't find a clear and simple explanation on the internet.
So if there’s a kind soul here..
Thank you
2 réponses
Good evening,
Normally, when you create your PDF, all the fonts are embedded (you can actually check this when creating the PDF).
The fonts used in the original document (InDesign) are, due to their licensing terms, locked and/or protected against embedding.
Vectorization allows you to keep the appearance of the text intact in the PDF.
But you should know that the PDF will be much larger.
And if the printer is asking you for this, it's because they don't want to deal with complications.
At least, I think so... although I've never been asked to proceed that way.
The only concern is that once all the text is vectorized, no corrections can be made.
Also, run a test. I've always had the impression that vectorized text looks more bloated.
Maybe ask the printer directly.
Normally, when you create your PDF, all the fonts are embedded (you can actually check this when creating the PDF).
The fonts used in the original document (InDesign) are, due to their licensing terms, locked and/or protected against embedding.
Vectorization allows you to keep the appearance of the text intact in the PDF.
But you should know that the PDF will be much larger.
And if the printer is asking you for this, it's because they don't want to deal with complications.
At least, I think so... although I've never been asked to proceed that way.
The only concern is that once all the text is vectorized, no corrections can be made.
Also, run a test. I've always had the impression that vectorized text looks more bloated.
Maybe ask the printer directly.
When you say that "fonts are protected against embedding," does this apply to all fonts or just certain ones? If I understand correctly, if the font is protected against embedding, then the printer is stuck? Or can they find a workaround?
Thanks again.
I’m talking about the purchased fonts. All the Garamond, Univers, Futura, etc. that you can’t find for free on sites.
Now, you have some clever folks who are sidestepping the issue on dafont.
When a font is in demo, they vectorize it and it works.
Eventually, you come across damaged fonts. Or you get handed a job on Word with a corrupted font.
For example, I have a font purchased by a client, CronoMM, every time I use it on InDesign, no problem. But as soon as I export to PDF, the horror: whole blocks have switched to a different font.
Or a Garamond that suddenly goes bold by itself.
I think that's why your printer asks for this.
As I mentioned earlier, during the export, you can check if the fonts are properly embedded.
Where is your printer located?
It's the fact that going through the PDF conversion engine of InDesign that causes a problem. This engine is a shortcut, but it doesn’t offer all the possibilities of printing via the virtual printer Distiller.
It’s the TT fonts that generally have an embedding limitation; OpenType or Type1 fonts rarely do (I have never encountered it). To work around this on PC, we modify the PS printer driver by requesting the downloading of TT fonts in vector form. On MAC OSX, I don't know if this is possible; with OS9 it wasn’t, but you could download them in bitmap image form.
From InDesign, we can't vectorize the fonts with export (unless we create a PDF 1.3), whereas with the PDF printer, it's possible, but this only occurs on the page where there is transparency... So, you have to incorporate a small area with transparency (like 1%) for the fonts on that page to be vectorized (on pages without transparency, vectorization doesn’t happen)... not very practical!
And indeed, you are right, there is a very slight increase in the character size upon vectorization... it’s imperceptible on sans-serif characters, but noticeable on script fonts, especially in small sizes.
Thank you for your clarifications.
Since InDesign you can't vectorize the fonts with the export (unless you make a PDF 1.3)
Yes, but you vectorize before exporting to PDF.
On MAC OS X I don't know if this is possible, with OS 9 it wasn't
I'm on OS X and I don't think this is still possible, not sure.
What I don't understand is the printer's request.
My work has been printed all over Europe, even in Asia, I've never been asked to vectorize my work.
And for vectorization in small sizes, indeed, it turns into real blobs...