This article explains the importance of embedding or flattening your fonts. It also helps to explain the problems that can arise when this is not done and gives advice on how to get around this.

What can happen if fonts aren’t present?
Chances are, when creating your document, you have used the fonts you have on your computer. But if this document then gets opened on a computer that doesn’t have these fonts, they will be substituted. At best this can lead to the fonts being made bold, or larger or having the layout changed. However the worst case can lead to the font being substituted to symbols. These issues are more likely to occur when the fonts used aren’t a common font.

How to Avoid Problems with Fonts
One of the better ways to remove this issue is to either flatten or embed your fonts. This will then make them part of the document. You can also convert the fonts to curves.

Saving as an image?
If you save your file as either a jpeg or a tiff file, also referred to as a raster file, then your fonts will become part of your image. You will find that your document is harder to edit later on but it does mean that you can use your custom fonts without issue. This is the same if you convert your artwork to curves.

Embedding?
This is commonly for pdf files and will depend on the licensing laws for the fonts you require. Most design packages will give you the option to embed your fonts. By selecting yes your fonts will be packaged into the document and will then display correctly on other computers.

Converting to Curves?
This means switching the fonts from letters to shapes. As mentioned before it does make your document a lot harder to edit but it will protect your fonts and keep them as intended.

Danny Molt

Danny Molt is an all round follower of great design working for Print-Print Limited, promoting business and building your brand through quality printing. If you’re passionate about small business marketing then please get in touch info@print-print.co.uk