How to Fix Adobe PDF Printer PostScript Findfont Error
Question details
The user is unable to create a PDF using the Adobe PDF printer due to a PostScript typecheck error related to the 'findfont' command and the Courier font.
- Product
- Adobe PDF Printer
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Attempting to create a PDF by printing a document (often an existing PDF file) to the Adobe PDF virtual printer.
- Observed behavior
- The printing process fails and produces a PostScript typecheck error with the offending command 'findfont', preventing the PDF from being successfully created.
Verify if you are trying to print an existing PDF to the Adobe PDF printer, as 'refrying' PDFs commonly causes severe font conflicts. Ensure you have access to the original source document whenever possible.
Use Native Export Instead of Print to PDF
The most effective way to prevent PostScript font errors is to bypass virtual printers and use the source application's built-in PDF export feature.
Printing an existing PDF to a virtual PDF printer is highly discouraged. This process strips out original font embedding data, which frequently leads to 'findfont' and typecheck errors because the PostScript driver can no longer locate the necessary font metrics.
Instead of opening the PDF, open the original file (e.g., Word, Excel, or PowerPoint) that the PDF was generated from.
Navigate to the 'File' tab in the top-left corner of the application and select 'Export' or 'Save As'.
Choose 'PDF' from the file format dropdown menu and click 'Save' or 'Publish' to generate the file natively.
Configure Adobe PDF Printer Font Settings
If you must print via the Adobe PDF printer, adjusting its font reliance settings can sometimes resolve PostScript errors.
Create and Edit PDFs Natively with WPS Office
Avoid PostScript and virtual printer errors entirely by using WPS Office. Its built-in PDF tools allow you to save, export, and edit PDFs directly without relying on external PDF printers.
- 1. Open your document in WPS Office: Launch WPS Office and open your Word, Excel, or PowerPoint document.
- 2. Access the PDF Export tool: Click on 'Menu' in the top ribbon and select 'Export to PDF' from the dropdown list.
- 3. Save the PDF without errors: Choose your save location and click 'Export'. The PDF is generated natively, bypassing PostScript font conversion errors.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does printing a PDF to a PDF printer cause errors?
Printing an existing PDF to a virtual PDF printer forces the document through a PostScript translation process. This often strips out embedded font data, leading to typecheck and findfont errors when the driver cannot locate the exact fonts used in the original document.
What does the offending command findfont mean?
It means the PostScript interpreter encountered a font in the document (such as Courier) that it requires to process the page, but the font is neither embedded in the print stream nor installed on the printing system.
How do I ensure fonts are embedded correctly when creating PDFs?
Instead of printing to a virtual printer, use the native 'Export to PDF' or 'Save As' features in your document editor. Check the software's advanced save options to verify that 'Embed fonts in the file' is enabled before finalizing the export.
