What does PDF/A actually change?

It embeds every font used and removes anything that would not survive long-term — external references, scripts, encryption. The result opens identically in fifty years, which is why courts, tenders and records offices demand it.

Can the file get bigger?

Usually yes. Embedding complete font files is the price of the guarantee.

Long-term archiving. It embeds every font and forbids anything that might not render the same in twenty years, which is why courts, libraries and public bodies ask for it.

Which PDF/A version does it produce?

PDF/A-2b, the version most archives accept. It allows transparency and JPEG 2000, which PDF/A-1 does not, so fewer documents need altering to comply.

PDF to PDF/A

Convert to the ISO archival format that courts, tenders and records offices require.

Processed on our server, then deletednew

Converted on our server and deleted as soon as the PDF/A comes back. PDF/A embeds every font and drops anything that would not survive long-term archiving.

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How to use PDF to PDF/A

Choose the PDF that has to be archived.
Press Convert. It is sent to the document service and processed by Ghostscript.
Download the PDF/A file.

Questions

What does PDF/A actually change?: It embeds every font used and removes anything that would not survive long-term — external references, scripts, encryption. The result opens identically in fifty years, which is why courts, tenders and records offices demand it.
Can the file get bigger?: Usually yes. Embedding complete font files is the price of the guarantee.
What is PDF/A for?: Long-term archiving. It embeds every font and forbids anything that might not render the same in twenty years, which is why courts, libraries and public bodies ask for it.
Which PDF/A version does it produce?: PDF/A-2b, the version most archives accept. It allows transparency and JPEG 2000, which PDF/A-1 does not, so fewer documents need altering to comply.

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