How to Fix Invalidfont Error in Adobe Distiller When Creating PDFs
Question details
The user encounters an invalidfont error while trying to generate a PDF using Adobe Distiller, specifically due to a missing or corrupted OpenSans-Bold font.
- Product
- Adobe Distiller
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Creating or printing to PDF via the Adobe Distiller or Adobe PDF printer.
- Observed behavior
- The PDF generation fails, and an error log is produced displaying an 'invalidfont' message indicating that a required font cannot be found or embedded.
Ensure you have administrator rights on your computer to install new fonts, and save any ongoing work in your source application, as a restart will be required.
Install or Repair the Missing Font
The most direct fix is to ensure the specific font causing the error is properly installed and accessible on your operating system.
Adobe Distiller needs access to all the fonts used in your source document to correctly generate a PDF. If a font like OpenSans-Bold is missing, uninstalled, or corrupted, the Distiller will throw an invalidfont error. Reinstalling the font system-wide usually resolves this.
Acquire the missing font file (e.g., OpenSans-Bold.ttf). For Open Sans, you can download it for free from the Google Fonts website.
Right-click the downloaded font file and select 'Install' or 'Install for all users'.
Close the source application (such as Microsoft Word or InDesign) entirely so it can detect the newly installed font.
Reopen your document and try printing to Adobe PDF or running Adobe Distiller again.
Replace the Problematic Font in the Source Document
If you cannot install the missing font or do not have the rights to use it, switch the text to a standard system font before creating the PDF.
Modify Adobe Distiller Job Options
Change the Distiller settings to prevent the process from failing when a font cannot be embedded. Use this only if precise font rendering is not strictly required.
Create PDFs Smoothly Using WPS Office
Bypass complex printer drivers and Distiller errors entirely. WPS Office features a built-in 'Export to PDF' tool that accurately embeds fonts and layouts without requiring third-party PDF generators.
- 1. Open the document: Launch WPS Office and open your source document (Word, Excel, or PowerPoint).
- 2. Access the export tool: Click on the 'Menu' button located in the top left corner of the interface.
- 3. Select Export to PDF: Choose 'Export to PDF' from the dropdown list.
- 4. Configure settings: Adjust your export settings, such as page range, save location, and image quality.
- 5. Generate the PDF: Click the 'Export' button to instantly generate a flawless PDF without any distiller or font errors.
Frequently Asked Questions
What causes the 'invalidfont' error in PDF Distiller?
This error occurs when the source document contains a font that is not installed on your system, is corrupted, or has licensing restrictions that prevent it from being embedded into a PDF file.
Where can I find the Open Sans font to download?
Open Sans is a free, open-source font. You can download the complete font family securely directly from the Google Fonts website.
Can I ignore font errors in Adobe Acrobat?
Yes, you can configure Adobe Distiller settings to continue generating the PDF even if a font fails to embed. However, the resulting document will substitute the missing font with a default one, potentially altering your document's layout and design.
Does the 'invalidfont' error happen with standard system fonts?
Rarely. It mostly affects custom, downloaded, or third-party fonts (like OpenSans-Bold) that are either missing from your local font directory or lack the proper embedding permissions.
