Corrupted font when export to pdf

[Digitalfox]

I am using Windows 10, Affinity Publisher and, for this test document, exclusively Arial font (regular, bold and italic). When exporting 'for print' to pdf the Arial bold (heading) and italic (paragraph 3) text is corrupted.

Your advice please.

corrupted-font-test.afpub corrupted-font-test.pdf

[Digitalfox]

Thank for your suggestion. The problem is a little more subtle. If I select Arial Narrow Italic or Arial Narrow Bold Italic all is ok. If I select Arial Italic or Arial Bold the corruption returns.

[PaulEC]

I downloaded your .afpub file, exported as PDF for print and the resultant PDF looks fine. I don't see how this can be a bug, it's more likely that there is a problem with your fonts. Have you tried using these font variations in other documents?

corrupted-font-test.pdf

[Digitalfox]

Thank you PaulEC. A good clue to know that the problem is in my PC rather than Affinity Publisher. I'll try to reinstall the font, although I've never had this problem with InDesign.

[Digitalfox]

Hi PaulEC. I have discovered that if I embed fonts 'Text as Curves' my problem goes away.

But does anyone know whether there is any downside to doing this?

 

[joe_l]

16 minutes ago, Digitalfox said:

But does anyone know whether there is any downside to doing this?

Increasing file size, not readable for screen readers, no editable text when you are in need to edit the PDF ... to name a few things. As PaulEC said, check your font, because I did not have any problem with your document.

[walt.farrell]

24 minutes ago, Digitalfox said:

I have discovered that if I embed fonts 'Text as Curves' my problem goes away.

But does anyone know whether there is any downside to doing this?

They are no longer text at that point, and will not be editable or selectable (copy/paste) as text any more from that PDF.

[Digitalfox]

Thanks Walt and Joe for the explanations.

[walt.farrell]

I tried exporting your .afpub file, with no changes, and the PDF is fine for me.

[Michael Csokas]

This is interesting. I've been having the same issue. Entire documents look like a cypher. Fortunately, I haven't needed anything editable so I just make a jpeg and then made a pdf out of it. Not the best solution but it's a work around.

Now, I have been working with a document and for grunts and giggles decided to check on the saving without the work around to see it Affinity had made a update. The answer is no, BUT some of the fonts do seem to be translating properly. The font that works is, "Franklin Gothic Demi Italic". The font that is still scrambled is, "Franklin Gothic Demi Regular". I'll add this as another piece to the puzzle. Any thoughts anyone?

Edited June 12, 2022 by Michael Csokas

[walt.farrell]

3 hours ago, Michael Csokas said:

This is interesting. I've been having the same issue. Entire documents look like a cypher. Fortunately, I haven't needed anything editable so I just make a jpeg and then made a pdf out of it. Not the best solution but it's a work around.

Now, I have been working with a document and for grunts and giggles decided to check on the saving without the work around to see it Affinity had made a update. The answer is no, BUT some of the fonts do seem to be translating properly. The font that works is, "Franklin Gothic Demi Italic". The font that is still scrambled is, "Franklin Gothic Demi Regular". I'll add this as another piece to the puzzle. Any thoughts anyone?

Welcome to the Serif Affinity forums.

We probably cannot understand your issue, nor confirm you have the same one, unless you provide us with your documents (native Affinity, and exported as PDF), screenshots of the issue, and your export settings. And unless we can confirm your issue, we can't make any suggestions.