Prepare for PDF/A
Add archival XMP metadata, embed an sRGB color profile, and strip JavaScript to prepare a PDF for long-term preservation.
100% in your browser — files never leave your device
Preparation, not certification
This tool prepares your PDF for PDF/A compliance by adding required metadata, embedding an sRGB color profile, and removing JavaScript. It cannot re-embed missing fonts or flatten transparency. Validate the output with a tool like veraPDF before submission.
What PDF/A is and why it matters for archiving
PDF/A is an ISO standard (ISO 19005) designed for long-term digital preservation. The core idea is that a PDF/A file must be fully self-contained — all fonts embedded, color profiles declared, and no content that depends on external resources or runtime features like JavaScript. A reader should be able to render the document identically 50 years from now without any external dependencies.
Government agencies, courts, libraries, and enterprise document management systems increasingly require PDF/A for archival submissions. Many DMS platforms reject PDFs that lack the required XMP metadata or color profile declarations.
This tool handles the metadata and color profile steps — the most common reasons a standard PDF fails PDF/A validation. If your source document already has fonts fully embedded and no transparency, the output will typically pass validation. More complex documents may need additional processing in a full PDF/A conversion tool.
Frequently asked questions
What does this tool actually do to make a PDF/A compliant?
It adds an XMP metadata stream with pdfaid:part and pdfaid:conformance entries, embeds an sRGB ICC color profile as an OutputIntent, sets the document title and producer metadata, and strips JavaScript actions from the catalog. It does not re-embed fonts or flatten transparency — those limitations are disclosed in the warnings after processing.
What is the difference between PDF/A-1b and PDF/A-2b?
PDF/A-1b (Part 1, Level B) is the most widely accepted archival format and prohibits transparency, JPEG 2000, and several other features. PDF/A-2b (Part 2, Level B) relaxes those restrictions — it allows transparency layers and JPEG 2000 compression. Choose PDF/A-1b for maximum compatibility with archival repositories; choose PDF/A-2b if your document uses transparency or JPEG 2000 images.
Will this tool guarantee the output passes PDF/A validation?
No. This tool performs best-effort preparation — it adds the required metadata and color profile, but it cannot re-embed missing fonts or flatten existing transparency. The output may still fail strict PDF/A validation if the source document has embedded font issues or prohibited features. Always validate the output with a tool like veraPDF before submitting to an archival system.
Why does the tool warn about fonts?
PDF/A requires all fonts used in the document to be fully embedded. This tool cannot re-embed fonts that were subset-embedded or omitted in the original file. The font warning appears for every output as a reminder to verify font embedding with a validator, not as a confirmation that fonts are missing.
Are my files sent to a server for processing?
No. All processing runs in your browser using pdf-lib. Your file is never uploaded anywhere.