PDF to PDF/A: Create an Image-Only PDF/A-2b Candidate
This tool creates a new archival candidate by rendering selected pages into opaque images, adding an sRGB output profile and writing PDF/A-2b metadata. It does not create PDF/A-3B and it does not run an independent conformance validator inside your browser. A successful download alone is not proof of archive acceptance.
Conversion Steps
- Check the receiving archive's required profile. A request for another PDF/A level may need a different workflow.
- Choose a PDF and review the original page numbers.
- Select the pages to include. Review the image-only reconstruction warning.
- Explicitly accept the stated data loss, then run PDF to PDF/A.
- Download and reopen the candidate to inspect pages, orientation, text readability and colors.
- Validate that specific downloaded file with an independent validator using the required profile.
What Reconstruction Removes
Selectable text, links, forms, signatures, attachments and source metadata are lost. The visible page images remain, but the output should not be treated as an accessible or editable replacement for the original document. If your archive requires searchable text or additional accessibility features, confirm its requirements before choosing this image-only approach.
Fixture outputs from this implementation passed veraPDF validation. That test result concerns those fixtures, not every future document. Your source, selected pages and rendering environment can affect the final file, so keep the validation report with the exact file you submit.
A Practical Review
Suppose an archive requests PDF/A-2b. Convert a copy of the relevant pages, compare the candidate visually with the source, and run a validator against PDF/A-2b. If the report identifies failures, resolve them or use another archival conversion route. Do not submit a failed file simply because its name contains “PDF/A”.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I choose PDF/A-1 or PDF/A-3B?
The current workspace offers an image-only PDF/A-2b candidate. It does not offer selectable archival profiles.
Does renaming a file make it PDF/A?
No. Compliance involves the PDF's structure, metadata, color handling and allowed features. A filename extension does not establish it.
Will existing signatures remain valid?
No. This operation rebuilds the document. Retain the original signed file and verify the receiving organization's requirements.
Related Resources
Use PDF Info Checker and PDF Metadata Viewer for preliminary inspection. veraPDF provides independent PDF/A validation. Preserve the original alongside your candidate and its validation report.