Google variable fonts - exporting PDF-X4 - no go...

[RVNG]

Hello everyone...
Exporting PDF from Indesign 2025, art is using a Google Variable Font called 'Inter-VariableFont_opsz,wght.ttf'
The file opens fine, preflights fine, looks correct - No errors when exporting PDF-X4.. however, the resulting PDF does not hold some font weights (Bold & Black). It reverts to 'regular'.

No matter what PDF preset I use, the PDF will not show the font correctly - I even modified a preset to fully embed the fonts, no go.

...here's the kicker... the clients PDF from the Indeisgn 'Package' is fine! How is this possible?

I thought maybe a OSX compatibility issue... tried on Sequioa, Indesign 2025 (20.5), same issue.
Files attached here, plus a screen cap (the cirled areas should be bold and black if the PDF exports correctly.

 

[prepressdork]

I don’t see a link to the file?

 

[abc]

Variable fonts are not supported in PDF at the moment, so definitely not in PDF/X-4.

I guess this is going to be like Opentype SVG fonts which are also not supported, the originating application is going to be responsible for saving them in some way that works for PDF output.

Out of interest what font type are they recognised as by your preflight application?
Not variable fonts I bet.

 

[RVNG]

Variable fonts are not supported in PDF at the moment, so definitely not in PDF/X-4.

I guess this is going to be like Opentype SVG fonts which are also not supported, the originating application is going to be responsible for saving them in some way that works for PDF output.

Out of interest what font type are they recognised as by your preflight application?
Not variable fonts I bet.

Hi, thanks for the response.

The font is flagged as 'composite TTF'.

Incidentally, the font that appears as a 'black' weight, but is declared as "Regular'.

 

[RVNG]

I don’t see a link to the file?

Sorry, I didn't realize the Zip was too large and wouldn't attached.
I have eliminated the links to reduce the size, Here is a link to the art instead - https://www.swisstransfer.com/d/03606d63-8a5b-40a0-ab8c-e7c81102052b

 

[abc]

Inter is also available as a ‘normal’ font, so maybe that might be a path forward.
I guess it depends on what you are doing in Indesign with the variable version.

 

[prepressdork]

You stated that “the clients PDF from the Indeisgn 'Package' is fine”.

Is the PDF in the zip file you posted from your customer? I ask because when I view that PDF, Pitstop shows the fonts in question as ‘Regular'.

 

[pippip]

This guide has got me out of a few jams. Basically outlines all text as it exports from InDesign.

Here's a step-by-step guide:

1. Access Transparency Flattener Presets: Go to Edit > Transparency Flattener Presets.
   
   
2. Create a New Preset: Click New. In the "New Transparency Flattener Preset" dialog box, name your preset (e.g., "Outline Text").
   
   
3. Set Conversion Options:
   • Convert All Text to Outlines: Check this box.
     
     
   • Raster/Vector Balance: Move the slider towards "Vectors" to prioritize vector output.
     
     
   • Other Options: Consider adjusting other settings like "Trim Complex Regions" or "Convert All Strokes to Outlines" depending on your specific needs and the complexity of your document.
     
4. Save the Preset: Click OK to save the new preset.
   
   
5. Export as PDF:
   • Go to File > Export and choose Adobe PDF (Print).
     
     
   • In the export dialog, select [PDF/X-1a] or a similar preset that supports Acrobat 4 (Acrobat 5.0) compatibility or later for best results.
     
     
   • Navigate to the Advanced tab and choose your newly created "Outline Text" preset from the Transparency Flattener dropdown.
     
6. Export: Click Export to create the PDF.
   

 

[RVNG]

You stated that “the clients PDF from the Indeisgn 'Package' is fine”.

Is the PDF in the zip file you posted from your customer? I ask because when I view that PDF, Pitstop shows the fonts in question as ‘Regular'.

Yes, the PDF is the customer's... which displays correct.

For instance: the word "INSIDE' on the top flap reports as "Regular" with pitstop (strange), but whatever is happening under the hood, it shows as 'Black'.

How they were able to create this PDF, I do not know.

No matter what PDF preset I use, custom or otherwise, does not allow me to create the PDF to be the same. Strange...

 

[RVNG]

This guide has got me out of a few jams. Basically outlines all text as it exports from InDesign.

Here's a step-by-step guide:

1. Access Transparency Flattener Presets: Go to Edit > Transparency Flattener Presets.
   
   
2. Create a New Preset: Click New. In the "New Transparency Flattener Preset" dialog box, name your preset (e.g., "Outline Text").
   
   
3. Set Conversion Options:
   • Convert All Text to Outlines: Check this box.
     
     
   • Raster/Vector Balance: Move the slider towards "Vectors" to prioritize vector output.
     
     
   • Other Options: Consider adjusting other settings like "Trim Complex Regions" or "Convert All Strokes to Outlines" depending on your specific needs and the complexity of your document.
4. Save the Preset: Click OK to save the new preset.
   
   
5. Export as PDF:
   • Go to File > Export and choose Adobe PDF (Print).
     
     
   • In the export dialog, select [PDF/X-1a] or a similar preset that supports Acrobat 4 (Acrobat 5.0) compatibility or later for best results.
     
     
   • Navigate to the Advanced tab and choose your newly created "Outline Text" preset from the Transparency Flattener dropdown.
6. Export: Click Export to create the PDF.

Thank you Pippip... I will try this workaround and report back my findings.

 

[abc]

That’s a really poor workaround (Hack) and ill advised.

 

[RVNG]

I tried the workaround, it did outline fonts but the 'Black' weight reverted to 'Regular' before it outlined.

It has been explained to me that because the font is variable, it does not have an actual glyph for every customized iteration. And because of this cannot be rendered or outlined.

If I go online and download the Google font in question "Inter-VariableFont_opsz,wght.tff" it supplies a subfolder called 'static' - these are the fonts that work in print, but this leaves me having to replace them and hope the replacement is exact.

I tried this, and sadly the kerning was slightly off. So, again, not workable.

So far, the only thing that has worked is to export JPG out of Indesign.

 

[RVNG]

That’s a really poor workaround (Hack) and ill advised.

Agreed and confirmed