What is PDF/A and why should I use it?

PDF/A is an ISO-standardized version of PDF specialized for long-term document preservation and archival. Unlike regular PDFs, PDF/A embeds all fonts, color profiles, and resources needed to display the document identically for decades. It's required for legal documents, government records, and corporate archives.

What's the difference between PDF/A-1b, PDF/A-2b, and PDF/A-3b?

PDF/A-1b: Based on PDF 1.4, most restrictive but widest compatibility (basic conformance). PDF/A-2b: Based on PDF 1.7, supports JPEG 2000 compression, layers, and transparency (recommended for most users). PDF/A-3b: Allows embedded file attachments like invoices, source data, or XML (useful for ZUGFeRD invoicing).

Should I choose RGB or CMYK color space?

RGB: Recommended for digital archival and screen viewing (smaller file size, device-independent sRGB profile). CMYK: Use for documents intended for professional printing (subtractive color model). Most archives prefer RGB as it's device-independent and future-proof.

Is document metadata required for PDF/A?

No, metadata (title, author, keywords) is optional but highly recommended for archival purposes. It helps with document discovery, cataloging, and compliance. Many organizations require specific metadata for their archival systems.

Is PDF/A conversion safe?

Yes, completely safe. All processing happens in your browser using WebAssembly. No files are uploaded to servers. Original files are never modified. The conversion creates new PDF/A-compliant files without affecting originals. All fonts and color profiles are embedded for guaranteed preservation.

PDFyogi

PDF to PDF/A

Convert standard PDFs to PDF/A (Archival PDF) format for long-term preservation and compliance. Our tool supports PDF/A-1b, PDF/A-2b, and PDF/A-3b standards with embedded ICC profiles, font embedding, and XMP metadata. Perfect for legal documents, government archives, and corporate records.

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Max 20 files•Max file size: 100MB

Supported formats: .pdf, application/pdf

Convert PDF to PDF/A for Long-Term Archival

Convert standard PDFs to PDF/A (ISO 19005) archival format for guaranteed long-term preservation and compliance. Our tool uses Ghostscript technology to create PDF/A-1b, PDF/A-2b, or PDF/A-3b compliant documents with embedded ICC color profiles, font embedding, and XMP metadata. Process files entirely in your browser for complete privacy. Perfect for legal documents, government archives, corporate records, and any documents requiring long-term readability.

Key Features:

✓Support for PDF/A-1b (PDF 1.4), PDF/A-2b (PDF 1.7), and PDF/A-3b (with attachments)
✓Automatic ICC color profile embedding for device-independent color
✓Complete font embedding for consistent text rendering
✓XMP metadata support for document information and archival details
✓RGB or CMYK color space conversion options
✓Batch convert up to 20 files simultaneously (100MB each)
✓100% browser-based processing with WebAssembly
✓Complete privacy - files never uploaded to servers

How to convert PDF to PDF/A:

Upload PDF files (up to 20 files, 100MB each)
Select PDF/A compliance level (1b for maximum compatibility, 2b recommended, 3b for attachments)
Choose color space (RGB for digital archival, CMYK for print archival)
Optionally add document metadata (title, author, keywords)
Click "Convert to PDF/A" to start archival conversion
Download PDF/A files individually or as ZIP

Your Privacy is Protected

All conversions happen locally in your browser. Your files never leave your device and are automatically deleted when you close this page.

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How Our Privacy-First Technology Works

WebAssembly Processing

We use WebAssembly (WASM) to run PDF processing libraries directly in your browser, eliminating the need to upload files to external servers.

Local Storage Only

Files are temporarily stored in your browser's memory during processing and automatically cleared when you close the tab or complete the task.

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We don't track, store, or analyze your file contents. Our analytics only measure tool usage patterns, not personal data.

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Our privacy-first approach means we're automatically compliant with GDPR, CCPA, and other privacy regulations worldwide.

Convert PDF to PDF/A - Archival PDF Converter Online Free | PDFyogi