Font Type 3: how to handle them

If we detected a Type 3 font in your file, we automatically blocked it to protect your work.

This is an outdated font type that can cause issues during printing. Even if everything looks fine on screen, the final printed result may be very different:

• Pixelated letters and outlines

• Unreadable text

• Substituted letters or symbols

• Text styles automatically changed

• Missing parts of the text

For this reason, professional printers may automatically block files containing Type 3 fonts. Before proceeding with printing, it’s necessary to modify the file.

1. Why does this happen?

Since 2023, Adobe has gradually discontinued support for Type 3 fonts (and may eventually do the same for Type 1) in PDF files, as they are based on very old, now obsolete, technology.

Unlike regular desktop printers, modern professional printing systems use advanced engines that can no longer properly interpret these font types, leading to errors and blocked print jobs.

That’s why it’s essential to use more modern, compatible fonts.

2. What can you do?

The simplest solution is to replace the font with a more modern version, such as OpenType (OTF) or TrueType (TTF).

Alternatively, you can convert the text into "outlines" or "shapes" (turning it into a drawing), so it can be printed safely. Be careful, though: this option is not suitable if you're printing books, magazines, or catalogues.

We do not recommend rasterising the page containing the text, as this may significantly alter its appearance and readability, making it inconsistent with the rest of your design.

There are specific tools that allow you to view PDF properties and identify problematic fonts to replace. If you don’t have access to such software, you can use Adobe Acrobat Reader (free): if you try to select some text and you’re unable to highlight or copy it easily, there’s a high chance it uses a Type 3 font (or has been converted to outlines). In this case, we recommend replacing the font.