What does “convert fonts to outlines” mean?
When text in a design file is “live,” the file stores the letters you typed plus the name of the font. To draw those letters, the computer that opens the file needs that same font installed. If the printer doesn’t have it, their software swaps in a different font, often without warning, and your logo comes out looking wrong.
Converting text to outlines turns each letter into a vector shape. There’s nothing left to install, so the text looks exactly the same on every computer. The trade-off: you can’t retype outlined text, so you keep an editable copy for yourself.
The printer’s computer swapped in a default font.
Each letter is a shape, so it looks right everywhere.
Embedded fonts vs. outlines
A PDF can also embed fonts, which means a copy of the font travels inside the file. An embedded font usually prints correctly, and the checker treats live text with embedded fonts as fine (grade A).
Many printers still ask for outlines anyway. Outlines can’t go wrong, they work in every app, and they can be enlarged or edited as shapes. If a printer asks for outlines, give them outlines.
Live text whose font isn’t included gets a B in the checker. SVG text almost always gets a B, because SVG files rarely carry their fonts, and printers can’t rely on them when they do.
How to convert text to outlines
First, save a copy of your file with live text, named something like logo-editable.ai. Then, in the copy you’ll send:
- Adobe Illustrator: Select All (Ctrl+A or Cmd+A), then Type > Create Outlines (Shift+Ctrl+O or Shift+Cmd+O). If some text won’t convert, it may be locked or hidden: Object > Unlock All and Object > Show All, then try again.
- Inkscape: select the text, then Path > Object to Path (Shift+Ctrl+C or Shift+Cmd+C).
- Affinity Designer: select the text, then Layer > Convert to Curves.
- CorelDRAW: select the text, then Object > Convert to Curves (Ctrl+Q).
- Figma: select the text layer, then right-click and choose Flatten (Ctrl+E or Cmd+E).
Then save or export the file you’ll send, usually as AI, EPS, PDF or SVG.
Should I outline strokes too?
Sometimes a printer will also ask you to “outline strokes” or “expand strokes.” A stroke is a line with a set thickness. If the logo is resized, the stroke may not scale with it, so a thin outline can come out too thick or too thin. In Illustrator, select the artwork and choose Object > Path > Outline Stroke to turn each line into a filled shape.
Check it worked
Drop the outlined file into the checker. If it still says there’s live text, some text was missed, often a small tagline or text inside a group. An outlined, all-vector logo gets an A.