How to Add Custom Fonts in a PDF Without Errors

Fonts need to be embedded so they travel with your file. Without embedding, your design may look different on other devices or apps.

In this guide, I’ll show you how to add your fonts properly. No design software or complicated setup needed.

How to Add Custom Fonts to a PDF Using Word or LibreOffice

1. Ensure the Font Is Installed on Your System

First, make sure the custom font you want to use is installed on your computer.

• On Windows: Right-click the font file and select “Install.”
• On macOS: Double-click the font file, then click “Install Font” in the Font Book app.

Keep in mind: Some fonts have license restrictions that stop them from being embedded. On Windows, you can check if a font can be embedded by right-clicking the font file, selecting “Properties,” and looking under the “Details” tab. On macOS, check the font license if you’re unsure.

2. Add Your Custom Font to a PDF in Word or LibreOffice

In Word (Windows and macOS):

1. Type your text using the custom font.
2. Open the “Save” preferences (Windows: File > Options > Save; macOS: Word > Preferences > Save).
3. Tick “Embed fonts in the file.”
4. When exporting to PDF, select “Best for printing” to keep the font intact.

Note: Choosing “Best for printing” makes sure the full font is embedded. If you pick “Best for electronic distribution,” parts of the font may be left out, and your PDF won’t display correctly on every device.

In LibreOffice:

1. Type your text using the custom font.
2. Go to File > Export As > Export as PDF.
3. That’s it! Fonts are embedded automatically in the latest versions, so no extra settings are needed.

Why Embed Fonts in a PDF

If you’re using non-standard or custom fonts, embedding is an important step. Without it, your PDF may look different on devices that don’t have those fonts installed. Text can shift, layouts can break, and the result may even be hard to read.

Standard fonts like Arial, Times New Roman, and Helvetica are widely supported, so you usually don’t need to embed them.

Embedding once at the start saves you from display errors later and makes sharing your file worry-free.

How To Edit a PDF That Uses Custom Fonts

Smallpdf doesn’t let you install custom fonts, just like you can’t add your own fonts to Google Docs. But if your PDF already has custom fonts embedded, Smallpdf keeps them intact. You can edit text written in those fonts without losing the style.

Here’s how:

1. Open your PDF in Edit PDF.
2. Click on any editable text in your PDF. If the text uses a custom font, Smallpdf preserves it. (Editing text in a PDF is a Pro feature.)
3. Delete, add, or adjust the wording. The original custom font stays in place.
4. Optional: Click “Add Text” to insert new content. You can choose from the fonts available in Smallpdf. You can't apply your original custom font to new text blocks.
5. Click “Download” to save your updated PDF. Any existing custom fonts remain embedded and ready for sharing or printing.

Worth remembering: You can try Smallpdf Pro free for 7 days to test out full text editing and other premium tools. Cancel anytime if it’s not for you.

Extra Tips for Working With Custom Fonts

Embedding fonts is usually straightforward, but there are a couple of things worth keeping in mind if you want to avoid surprises later:

• Some fonts have license restrictions that prevent embedding, whether free or paid. Always check the font license if you’re unsure.
• If you want the simplest path, stick with common fonts like Arial, Times New Roman, or Helvetica. Standard system fonts are widely supported and rarely cause issues.

Why Use Smallpdf for Editing PDFs?

Smallpdf is your go-to platform for quick, easy, and reliable PDF solutions. With over 20 tools for editing, converting, and managing PDFs, we help you simplify your workflow. From editing PDFs with custom fonts to merging multiple files, we’ve got you covered.

Our PDF editor allows:

• Editing existing text in documents.
• Annotating PDFs with shapes, highlights, and drawings.
• Adding new text with fonts available in the editor.
• Saving files directly to cloud services like Google Drive, OneDrive, or Dropbox.

FAQs on Editing PDFs With Custom Fonts

How do you edit a PDF with your own font?

You can’t install custom fonts in Smallpdf. But if your PDF already has custom fonts embedded, Smallpdf keeps them intact. You can edit text written in those fonts without losing the style.

How do I add a font to a PDF editor?

You can’t add custom fonts directly to Smallpdf, similar to Google Docs. To use a custom font, create your PDF in Word or LibreOffice with fonts embedded first, then upload it to Smallpdf.

Can you change the font when editing a PDF?

You can change text to the fonts available in Smallpdf. But you can’t apply your original custom font to new text blocks. Custom fonts only carry over if they were already embedded in the file.

How do you add custom text to a PDF?

Open your file in Edit PDF and click “Add Text.” You can type in new content using the fonts available in Smallpdf, then save and download your updated PDF.