Providing fonts to vendor

[doodler22]

I've created several files in Illustrator for CD packaging (vendor created template). I didn't think to include fonts when I gave the final files to vendor. I'm used to InDesign packaging everything I need and Illustrator doesn't do that, at least not that I can figure out.

The vendor is requesting the fonts (I also included pdfs). I have no idea how to give them the correct fonts. I was able to generate a list of the fonts and save as a txt doc but I don't even know where these fonts reside on my pc. I'm a mac person used to the full name of the font being in a font folder. My PC has odd abbreviations of fonts and there are 100s of them.

What's the best way to handle this?

 

[eugenetyson]

You can embed your fonts in the EPS, by selecting this option at the save point. You can then place these images in InDesign or another app and the fonts will be fine, but you can't open them on another computer that does not have these fonts, for font piracy of fonts.

If you can embed the fonts in the EPS, then make the PDF that should work.

Fonts on a PC are located at

C:\WINDOWS\Fonts

(where c:\ is the hard drive that windows is installed).

You can copy all these fonts to your desktop for example. But remember, it is illegal to share fonts.

 

[doodler22]

Unfortunately the vendor wants to use the ai file, not the pdf -- which I'm not sure why -- the fonts are embedded in the pdf.

I have more than 1 fonts folder so I'm not sure which fonts are where. Is there a way in Illustrator that I can see which folder the fonts came from?

What would happen if I changed all the fonts to outlines? There wouldn't be a font issue, but would the integrity of my doc be the same?

 

[jimoblak]

Ideally and legally, the best option is to send a PDF with subset fonts. Subset fonts are truly a subset of only the data that is required to present the text in your document. While the necessary font data for printing is included, the recipient of your file cannot modify the type unless they have the same fonts. Subset fonts typically fall within the license limitations of the font.

Another option is to outline the fonts in Illustrator - - a quick operation). This turns editable text to line art. You can save this art in any vector format (AI, EPS, PDF).

 

[doodler22]

I'm seriously thinking about changing all fonts to outlines. Would that affect anything?

 

[jmgalvin]

You should be fine with outlines. We do it at least 30 times a week for sending out logos. Never had a problem.

This also avoids any Mac-PC font incompatibility problems if the person getting the file uses another platform.

Using OSX 10.3.9 on a G4

 

[eugenetyson]

It would just affect the size of the file really.

With an AI file it does save a PDF in the CREATE PDF COMPATABILE FILE option is checked at the save point, this PDF is for the preview when inserting to InDesign or other programs, I believe.

But only fonts with sufficent permission bits would be embedded.