The numeric suffix (F1, F2, F3, etc.) simply indicates the in the original document. The actual font that "F1" represents could be anything from Arial to Tahoma to a proprietary corporate font.
A PDF using Adobe-Japan1 CID font might embed:
Standard Western fonts (like traditional TrueType or PostScript formats) were historically limited to 256 characters per file. CJK languages, however, require tens of thousands of unique characters (ideographs).
Open the file in a tool like Infix or the Adobe Community suggested method of opening in Preview (Mac) and re-exporting as a PDF. cid font f1 f2 f3 f4 better
The names , F2 , F3 , and F4 are not specific font brands but rather generic placeholders created by PDF-exporting software when it fails to correctly embed the original font or its name . Key Characteristics of CID Fonts
These fonts are based on TrueType font programs and use the Identity-H encoding for direct glyph mapping.
Instead of traditional font encoding (e.g., Type 1), CID fonts separate: The numeric suffix (F1, F2, F3, etc
When a PDF or PostScript file is created, the font is often renamed to a standard key to save space and avoid conflicts. These keys are frequently mapped as F1, F2, F3, and F4 .
/SubstituteFont where pop /SubstituteFont /Helvetica findfont put if
If you have ever opened a PDF in Adobe Illustrator or Affinity Designer only to be greeted by an annoying error message about missing , you are not alone. These cryptic font names frequently cause headaches for graphic designers, prepress operators, and developers alike. CJK languages, however, require tens of thousands of
A translation table that tells the computer which specific index number (CID) matches a specific keyboard input or encoding standard (like Unicode).
The "better" designation stems from their superior handling of character-heavy, complex, and internationalized content. 1. Superior Support for Large Character Sets (CJK)
Full font embedding is for editing; subset embedding is for distribution. Use a tool like cpdf (Command Line PDF) or Adobe Preflight to subset F1-F4 to exactly the characters used.
CID (Character ID) fonts are frequently used for large character sets, such as Chinese, Japanese, or Korean (CJK), or for Unicode fonts to ensure characters render correctly across different platforms. Text Extraction Issues:
"Names like this just mean that the fonts are given random names in the order some app or person used them. There are no specific fonts assigned to those." — Adobe Community Expert