Fix OCR-B Font Displaying as Symbols in PDF Printing Workflows
Question details
The user needs to resolve a font encoding issue where the OCR-B-10 BT font appears correctly in Adobe Acrobat but turns into unreadable symbols when processed by printing workflow software.
- Product
- PDF Workflow Software
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Sending a PDF document containing OCR-B text to a commercial printer or processing it through specialized PDF printing software.
- Observed behavior
- The OCR-B font displays perfectly in standard PDF viewers but renders as random symbols or incorrect characters in the receiving printing application.
Verify that your OCR-B-10 BT font license permits embedding, and keep a backup copy of your original editable document before making irreversible changes like converting text to outlines.
Fully Embed the OCR-B Font During PDF Creation
Embedding the font directly into the PDF ensures the printing software has access to the exact character data, preventing it from incorrectly substituting the font with symbols.
Incomplete font embedding is the most common cause of font substitution issues in professional printing. Standard viewers like Acrobat might compensate using local system fonts, but a printing RIP (Raster Image Processor) requires the font to be explicitly embedded in the file.
Open your PDF in your viewer, navigate to File > Properties, and select the Fonts tab. Check if 'OCR-B-10 BT' has '(Embedded)' or '(Embedded Subset)' next to its name.
Return to the original source document (e.g., Word, InDesign). When choosing 'Save As PDF' or 'Export', click on the 'Options' or 'Advanced' settings.
Locate the 'Fonts' section in your export settings and check the box that says 'Embed all fonts' or uncheck 'Subset fonts when percent of characters used is less than 100%'.
Save the new PDF and test it directly in the printer's workflow software to confirm the symbols are replaced by the correct OCR-B characters.
Convert OCR-B Text to Outlines
Converting the text into vector shapes removes the reliance on font files entirely, guaranteeing the text will print exactly as it looks on screen.
Ensure Proper PDF Font Formatting with WPS Office
WPS Office offers a comprehensive suite of PDF tools that make creating, editing, and exporting high-quality PDFs simple. Its robust export engine helps prevent font encoding issues, ensuring your documents are ready for professional workflows.
- 1. Open your document: Launch WPS Office and open the source document you need to convert to PDF.
- 2. Access PDF Export: Click on the 'Menu' button in the top left corner, navigate to 'Export to PDF', and click to open the export dialog.
- 3. Generate the PDF: Review your save location and click the 'Export to PDF' button to create a highly compatible PDF file ready for printing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does the OCR-B font display correctly in Acrobat but not in printing software?
Adobe Acrobat can often pull fonts dynamically from your local computer's font directory if they are missing or improperly embedded in the PDF. Printing software relies strictly on the data embedded within the PDF file itself. If the font isn't fully embedded, the software substitutes it with symbols or a default font.
How can I check if a font is properly embedded in my PDF?
Open the PDF in your viewer, press Ctrl+D (or go to File > Properties), and navigate to the 'Fonts' tab. Look for the name of the OCR-B font. If it says '(Embedded)' or '(Embedded Subset)' next to the name, the font is included in the file.
What does converting text to outlines mean in PDF workflows?
Converting text to outlines changes editable text characters into vector graphics (shapes). This ensures the text looks identical on any device or printer, as it completely bypasses the need for font encoding or font files to be present in the printing system.
