: Why won't a font allow embedding in a .pdf? Will it print right anyway? When I export to PDF from InDesign I keep getting this error message: "This font could not be embedded due to licensing...The

@Gail6891361

I know this is old, but I have been searching EVERYWHERE for a solution.
Problem: Barcode fonts would print to the printer, but would not embed in PDF. I tried reinstalling the fonts and the PDF creator, and upgrading Adobe Reader. The fonts were licensed. I just could not get them to embed in a PDF no matter what I (thought) I tried.
Solution (for me): Uninstall all the troublesome fonts first! Make the Windows User (this is important) who will be using the embed feature an administrator on the PC. Usually just log in as Domain admin, change the user account type to administrator and log off. Log back in and make sure the fonts are indeed deleted from the admin folder.
Reinstall all the troublesome fonts. Now try to create the PDF. Demote the user.
Why this worked for me is the fonts were usable in many programs but since they were not installed as administrator, I could not get the licensing to function - which PDF's need in order to embed.
I hope this works for someone else

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@Murray976

convert every page to jpeg and put this image in the indesign file then convert the file to pdf
with my best wishes

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@Goswami567

Another solution, it's long but for sure everyone will see your design exactly as you designed it. Save each page as a jpg, the in photoshop convert each page to pdf. Then in acrobat, put them together. This is obviously for small jobs. I wish someone would explain how to get licenses for those fonts or if there is an easier way...

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@Margaret771

If possible, I would always "outline" the text. By doing that, you know your design will be printed correctly. If you don't, you may get a surprise back. Nice design messed up by a wrong type face. Horrible.

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@Chiappetta793

In addition to Scott's answer, you can circumvent this issue by converting all type in the offending font into outlines: Type > Create Outlines. This will markedly increase your .pdf file size if you're using the font a lot (for say, body text).

This way, you don't have to embed any of the info in the font file--all your letters are shapes after all. Be warned that you can't edit the text anymore after this conversion.

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@Turnbaugh909

It is because somewhere there is a font which is not licensed to embed in PDFs, just as the warning states.

The PDF will look fine if the font is installed on the system. Therefore it will look okay on your system. However, any system which does not contain the font may not render that particular font properly.

The only way to get around the embedding restriction is to purchase a license which does allow embedding, or to use a different font (which also will allow embedding).

In some cases you can convert type to outlines and remain within the non-embed license. In other cases, a license which restricts embedding the font may also restrict converting the font to outlines. In which case, you're out of luck.

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