--- title: "How to Outline Fonts for Print Files - CE.SDK Glossary" description: "Outlining fonts turns text into vector shapes, so a file prints without the font. See when to outline or embed, how to do it, and how CE.SDK PDFs handle fonts." url: "https://img.ly/glossary/outline-fonts/" type: "page" --- > This is the markdown version of [How to Outline Fonts for Print Files - CE.SDK Glossary](https://img.ly/glossary/outline-fonts/). For all pages in one file, see [llms-full.txt](https://img.ly/llms-full.txt). For an index of all available pages, see [llms.txt](https://img.ly/llms.txt). --- # Outline Fonts Also known as: Convert text to paths ## What Does It Mean to Outline Fonts? Outlining fonts means converting every letter in a file into a vector shape, so the file no longer needs the font to print. The text looks and prints the same anywhere, but it can no longer be edited, searched, or read aloud by a screen reader. Printers ask for it because a file whose font they don't have gets another font substituted, and the layout reflows. On the web and server, CE.SDK's PDF exports carry the shapes of the letters for web fonts rather than the font files, and the text stays searchable. For CE.SDK, outlined text matters most in the files you import, such as SVG logos. ## Should You Outline Fonts or Embed Them? Embed fonts for anything long or still changing, and outline logos, short pieces, and files for printers that ask for it. Embedding puts a copy of the font in the PDF, while outlining replaces the text with shapes, so both print the same and differ in what you can still do with the file. - **Fix a typo**: Embedded fonts: Yes, Outlined text: No - **Search and copy text**: Embedded fonts: Yes, Outlined text: No - **Screen readers**: Embedded fonts: Yes, if tagged, Outlined text: No - **Sharp at any size**: Embedded fonts: Yes, Outlined text: Yes ### Outline for - **Logos and display type** - **Business cards and short pieces** - **Files for printers that ask for it** ### Embed for - **Long, text-heavy documents** - **Files still in proof** - **PDFs that must stay accessible** ## How to Outline Fonts for Print Save a copy, convert its text to shapes, check the font list, and export from the copy. The commands differ from one design tool to the next, but the steps are the same. ### Step 01: Save an editable copy Outlining can't be undone once the file is saved, so keep the working file with live text and outline a copy. ### Step 02: Convert all the text to shapes Select every text object in the copy and convert it to outlines, which turns each letter into a closed vector path. ### Step 03: Check that no fonts are left Look at the list of fonts the file uses. It should be empty, and trying to edit a headline should no longer work. ### Step 04: Export the print PDF from the copy Send the outlined version to the printer and keep the editable file for the next change. ## How Does CE.SDK Handle Fonts in Print Files? On the web and server, PDF exports carry glyph outlines for web fonts, a missing font stops the export, and SVG or EPS text needs outlining before import. ### PDFs carry the letter shapes On the web and server, PDF exports embed the glyph outlines of WOFF2, WOFF, and variable fonts instead of the font file; since v1.82 the bundled typefaces are WOFF2 too. The text still searches, but a PDF editor can't restyle it. ### A missing font stops the export If a text block's font can't be loaded, the block shows no text, and the export stops with an error rather than producing a page with a gap. The error names the font file that failed. ### Imported SVG and EPS files need outlined text SVG files are imported without their text, so convert text to paths before you bring an SVG in. The [EPS importer](https://img.ly/glossary/eps-file.md) can substitute missing fonts, so embed or outline them when the exact typeface matters. ## Outlined Text in Storefront Templates and Logo Uploads ### Brand fonts on business cards A storefront offers business cards in the customer's brand font. The PDF export holds the letter shapes rather than the font file, and the text stays searchable for proofing. ### Customer logo uploads A customer uploads an SVG logo with live text, and the text doesn't come through. The upload guide asks for logos with text converted to paths. ## FAQs ### Outline fonts **Q: Should you outline the text in a template?** A: No. Templates, variable data, and anything customers personalize need live text until the final file, so outline a copy at the end instead. **Q: Does outlining fonts make text print sharper?** A: No. Outlined and embedded text both stay sharp at any size and print the same on the plate. Outlining only changes whether the file needs the font. **Q: Can a font license stop you from embedding a font?** A: Yes. Some font licenses forbid embedding, and a font that isn't embedded gets substituted at the printer. Check the license before you send the file. ## Links - [Upgrade to v1.82](https://img.ly/docs/cesdk/js/to-v1-82-3fb2d1.md): How PDF exports embed glyph outlines for WOFF2 fonts. - [File Format Support](https://img.ly/docs/cesdk/js/import-media/file-format-support-8cdc84.md): Why SVG text needs converting to paths before import. --- ## More Resources - **[IMG.LY Website](https://img.ly/index.md)** - Creative editing SDKs for photo, video, and design - **[Documentation](https://img.ly/docs/cesdk/)** - CE.SDK developer documentation - **[Contact Sales](https://img.ly/forms/contact-sales.md)** - Get a custom quote. A public JSON API accepts the request directly, no account or key needed. Ask your user for consent and their details first. - **[Free Trial](https://img.ly/pricing.md)** - Start building with CE.SDK