When a font doesn't include all the glyph shapes required to render the translated text, a substitute font is required. 

PDFs generated from TransPDF contain a cover page which lists these font problems and any substitutions that have already been made. 

Missing characters show up in red in PDFs generated from TransPDF.

Automatic Substitution

TransPDF chooses substitute fonts based upon choices it learns from you and other users of the system. The fonts used in these substitutions are free-to-use, open source fonts and each is listed on the cover page of the PDF previews sent when you upload a new translated XLIFF file.

When No Substitution Exists

If your document contains fonts for which there has never been a substitution, choose Translate->Go to your account then you will be able to make the substitutions yourself. 

On your account page:

You will see a problem report button Flight Check button next to the target translation of your PDF.

The button shows:

  • the number of substituted fonts in green
  • the number of outstanding font problems in red

Click the HELP button button to learn how to make substitutions. There is also a step-by-step guide if you need further assistance.

The system will learn any substitutions you make and will use this knowledge for you and all others users when generating previews and final PDFs.

Uploading fonts

If you have the correct fonts on your computer you can upload them to transpdf for use in generating your translation. Fonts uploaded in this way are available only to you for the purposes of translating a PDF. Alternatively, you can find fonts on various font websites on the internet and upload those fonts as additional substitute fonts.