What is PFA?

PostScript Type 1 ASCII (PFA) is a human-readable printer font format used in professional typesetting and PostScript printing.

What is CFF?

Compact Font Format (CFF) is a PostScript-based font format used in PDF documents and professional printing for efficient font storage.

When Should You Use PFA vs CFF?

Use PFA When...

Reach for PFA when your priority is professional printing, postscript devices — its uncompromising quality ensures every detail is preserved.

Use CFF When...

Reach for CFF when your priority is professional printing, pdf fonts — its uncompromising quality ensures every detail is preserved.

PFA vs CFF: Key Differences

•PFA and CFF diverge on compression: lossless compression for the source, lossless compression for the target.
•Both formats share lossless compression, so quality behavior is similar across the two — file size differences come from algorithm efficiency rather than compression philosophy.
•How transparency is handled: CFF supports transparency, so alpha information is preserved during conversion.
•Storage footprint: 20-100KB per font for PFA vs 15-100KB per font for CFF.
•Primary audience: PFA is built for professional printing, postscript devices scenarios, while CFF focuses on professional printing, pdf fonts — pick the format that matches your output requirement.

Advantages of PFA

✓PFA compresses data using lossless methods, keeping file sizes manageable for Professional printing, PostScript devices.
✓Industry-wide support means PFA files open anywhere — from legacy systems to the latest devices.
✓Lossless quality makes PFA the gold standard for archival and master copies.
✓From professional software to open-source alternatives, PFA works out of the box.

Advantages of CFF

✓The lossless nature of CFF means file sizes stay reasonable while handling Professional printing, PDF fonts efficiently.
✓From mobile devices to enterprise servers, CFF is recognized and supported everywhere.
✓The trade-off for CFF's perfection is larger files — but for archival work, it is worth every megabyte.
✓CFF is a first-class citizen in all major software ecosystems, from creative suites to development environments.

Common Use Cases for PFA to CFF Conversion

Game UI typography
Website typography
Brand identity
Print design
Mobile apps
Desktop publishing

Industry Applications

Mobile App DevelopmentWeb DesignTypographyGraphic DesignDesktop PublishingApp Development

Best Practices for PFA to CFF Conversion

→Converting PFA to CFF: check that glyph coverage is preserved — some formats have character limitations
→Use CFF for cross-platform compatibility
→Test fonts across different browsers and operating systems after conversion
→Always keep a backup of your original files before converting
→Choose the appropriate quality settings for your specific use case

Troubleshooting PFA to CFF Conversion

!The converted CFF font has incorrect metrics → advance width and kerning values may differ between formats despite identical glyphs
!CFF file looks heavier or lighter than PFA → font rendering engines handle weight and anti-aliasing differently per format
!OpenType features (ligatures, swashes) lost after conversion to CFF → verify the target format supports advanced typographic features
!Variable font axes missing from the converted CFF → variable font support varies significantly between formats

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Convert PFA to CFF Online - Free & Fast

Convert PFA files to CFF online for free. High-quality conversion with no registration required.

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About PFA and CFF

PFA

PFA (PFA fonts) - PostScript Type 1 ASCII, printer font format. Best for professional printing, postscript devices.

CFF

CFF (CFF fonts) - Compact Font Format, PostScript-based font outlines. Ideal for professional printing, pdf fonts.

Format Comparison

CompressionLossless → Lossless

TransparencySupported

Use CaseConvert from professional printing, postscript devices to professional printing, pdf fonts

File Size~15-100KB per font after conversion

FAQs

Is converting PFA to CFF free?

Yes, GoConvertFile offers free conversion of PFA to CFF for files up to 100MB. No registration required.

How long does it take to convert PFA to CFF?

Most PFA to CFF conversions complete within seconds for standard-sized files. Larger files may take longer depending on the conversion complexity.

What is CFF best used for?

CFF is ideal for professional printing, pdf fonts. Compact Font Format, PostScript-based font outlines

What file size should I expect after converting PFA to CFF?

File size after PFA to CFF conversion depends on the content complexity and quality settings. Both formats use similar compression approaches so sizes are comparable.

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