Working with PDF Conformance in File Formats PDF

Essential^® PDF enables working with PDF Conformance standards such as PDF/A, PDF/X, and PDF/UA to ensure compliance with archival and accessibility requirements.

To quickly get started, work with PDF Conformance standards in .NET using the PDF Library. Please, check this video:

PDF/A Standards & Conformance Levels Comparison

PDF/A Version	Based On	Conformance Levels	Key Features	Restrictions
PDF/A-1	PDF 1.4	a, b	Basic archiving, embedded fonts, color profiles	No JPEG2000, transparency, layers, or attachments
PDF/A-2	PDF 1.7	a, b, u	JPEG2000, transparency, layers, PDF/A attachments, digital signatures	Only PDF/A files can be attached
PDF/A-3	PDF 1.7	a, b, u	Same as PDF/A-2 + arbitrary file attachments (e.g., XML, CSV)	Risk of compromising archival integrity due to unsupported attachments
PDF/A-4	PDF 2.0	e, f	RichMedia, 3D annotations, modern engineering workflows	No a, b, u levels; encryption and JavaScript still forbidden

Conformance Level Details

Level	Name	Requirements
b	Basic	Ensures visual reproducibility only. Fonts must be embedded.
a	Accessible	Includes b + logical structure, tagged content, language metadata, alt text.
u	Unicode	Includes b + Unicode mapping for searchable and copyable text.
e	Engineering	PDF/A-4 only. Supports RichMedia, 3D, and embedded files for engineering use.
f	File Embedding	PDF/A-4 only. Allows embedding of arbitrary file formats.

The Essential^® PDF currently supports the following PDF conformances:

PDF/A-1a conformance
PDF/A-1b conformance
PDF/X-1a conformance
PDF/A-2a conformance
PDF/A-2b conformance
PDF/A-2u conformance
PDF/A-3a conformance
PDF/A-3b conformance
PDF/A-3u conformance
PDF/A-4 conformance
PDF/A-4e conformance
PDF/A-4f conformance

NOTE

To know more details about PDF/A standard refer https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PDF/A#Description

To know more details about PDF/X standard refer https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PDF/X

NOTE

Essential^® PDF supports PDF conformances only in Windows Forms, WPF, ASP.NET Core, ASP.NET MVC and Xamarin platforms.

PDF/A-1b conformance

You can create a PDF/A-1b document by specifying the conformance level as Pdf_A1B through PdfConformanceLevel Enum when creating the new PDF document, as shown below.

C# [Cross-platform]
C# [Windows-specific]
VB.NET [Windows-specific]
//Create a new document with PDF/A-1b standard
PdfDocument document = new PdfDocument(PdfConformanceLevel.Pdf_A1B);
//Add a page to the document
PdfPage page = document.Pages.Add();
//Create PDF graphics for the page
PdfGraphics graphics = page.Graphics;

//Load the TrueType font from the local file
FileStream fontStream = new FileStream("Arial.ttf", FileMode.Open, FileAccess.Read);
PdfFont font = new PdfTrueTypeFont(fontStream, 14);

//Draw the text
graphics.DrawString("Hello World!!!", font, PdfBrushes.Black, new Syncfusion.Drawing.PointF(0, 0));

//Creating the stream object
MemoryStream stream = new MemoryStream();
//Save the document into memory stream
document.Save(stream);
//If the position is not set to '0', then the PDF will be empty
stream.Position = 0;
//Close the document
document.Close(true);
//Defining the content type for PDF file
string contentType = "application/pdf";
//Define the file name
string fileName = "Output.pdf";
//Creates a FileContentResult object by using the file contents, content type, and file name
return File(stream, contentType, fileName);
//Create a new document with PDF/A-1b standard.
PdfDocument document = new PdfDocument(PdfConformanceLevel.Pdf_A1B);
//Add a page.
PdfPage page = document.Pages.Add();
//Create PDF graphics for the page.
PdfGraphics graphics = page.Graphics;

//Create a solid brush.
PdfBrush brush = new PdfSolidBrush(Color.Black);
//Set the font.
Font font = new Font("Arial", 20f, FontStyle.Regular);
PdfFont pdfFont = new PdfTrueTypeFont(font, FontStyle.Regular, 12, false, true);

//Draw the text.
graphics.DrawString("Hello world!", pdfFont, brush, new PointF(20, 20));

//Save and close the document.
document.Save("Output.pdf");
document.Close(true);
'Create a new document with PDF/A-1b standard.
Dim document As New PdfDocument(PdfConformanceLevel.Pdf_A1B)
'Add a page.
Dim page As PdfPage = document.Pages.Add()
'Create PDF graphics for the page.
Dim graphics As PdfGraphics = page.Graphics

'Create a solid brush.
Dim brush As PdfBrush = New PdfSolidBrush(Color.Black)
'Set the font.
Dim font As New Font("Arial", 20.0F, FontStyle.Regular)
Dim pdfFont As PdfFont = New PdfTrueTypeFont(font, FontStyle.Regular, 12, False, True)

'Draw the text.
graphics.DrawString("Hello world!", pdfFont, brush, New PointF(20, 20))

'Save and close the document.
document.Save("Output.pdf")
document.Close(True)

You can download a complete working sample from GitHub.

PDF/A-2b conformance

You can create a PDF/A-2b document by specifying the conformance level as Pdf_A2B through PdfConformanceLevel Enum when creating the new PDF document as follows.

C# [Cross-platform]
C# [Windows-specific]
VB.NET [Windows-specific]
//Create a new document with PDF/A-2b standard
PdfDocument document = new PdfDocument(PdfConformanceLevel.Pdf_A2B);
//Add a page to the document
PdfPage page = document.Pages.Add();
//Create PDF graphics for the page
PdfGraphics graphics = page.Graphics;

//Load the TrueType font from the local file
FileStream fontStream = new FileStream("Arial.ttf", FileMode.Open, FileAccess.Read);
PdfFont font = new PdfTrueTypeFont(fontStream, 14);

//Draw the text
graphics.DrawString("Hello World!!!", font, PdfBrushes.Black, new Syncfusion.Drawing.PointF(0, 0));

//Creating the stream object
MemoryStream stream = new MemoryStream();
//Save the document into memory stream
document.Save(stream);
//If the position is not set to '0', then the PDF will be empty
stream.Position = 0;
//Close the document
document.Close(true);
//Defining the ContentType for PDF file
string contentType = "application/pdf";
//Define the file name
string fileName = "Output.pdf";
//Creates a FileContentResult object by using the file contents, content type, and file name
return File(stream, contentType, fileName);
//Create a new document with PDF/A-2b standard
PdfDocument document = new PdfDocument(PdfConformanceLevel.Pdf_A2B);
//Add a page
PdfPage page = document.Pages.Add();
//Create PDF graphics for the page
PdfGraphics graphics = page.Graphics;

//Create a solid brush
PdfBrush brush = new PdfSolidBrush(Color.Black);
//Set the font
Font font = new Font("Arial", 20f, FontStyle.Regular);
PdfFont pdfFont = new PdfTrueTypeFont(font, FontStyle.Regular, 12, false, true);

//Draw the text
graphics.DrawString("Hello world!", pdfFont, brush, new PointF(20, 20));

//Save and close the document
document.Save("Output.pdf");
document.Close(true);
'Create a new document with PDF/A-2b standard
Dim document As New PdfDocument(PdfConformanceLevel.Pdf_A2B)
'Add a page
Dim page As PdfPage = document.Pages.Add()
'Create PDF graphics for the page
Dim graphics As PdfGraphics = page.Graphics

'Create a solid brush
Dim brush As PdfBrush = New PdfSolidBrush(Color.Black)
'Set the font
Dim font As New Font("Arial", 20.0F, FontStyle.Regular)
Dim pdfFont As PdfFont = New PdfTrueTypeFont(font, FontStyle.Regular, 12, False, True)

'Draw the text
graphics.DrawString("Hello world!", pdfFont, brush, New PointF(20, 20))

'Save and close the document
document.Save("Output.pdf")
document.Close(True)

You can download a complete working sample from GitHub.

PDF/A-3b conformance

The PDF/A-3b conformance supports the external files as attachment to the PDF document. So you can attach any document format such as Excel, Word, HTML, CAD, or XML files.

You can create a PDF/A-3b document by specifying the conformance level as Pdf_A3B through PdfConformanceLevel Enum when creating the new PDF document as follows.

C# [Cross-platform]
C# [Windows-specific]
VB.NET [Windows-specific]
//Create a new document with PDF/A-3b standard
PdfDocument document = new PdfDocument(PdfConformanceLevel.Pdf_A3B);
//Add a page to the document
PdfPage page = document.Pages.Add();

//Creates an attachment
Stream fileStream = new FileStream("Input.txt", FileMode.Open, FileAccess.Read);
PdfAttachment attachment = new PdfAttachment("Input.txt", fileStream);
attachment.Relationship = PdfAttachmentRelationship.Alternative;
attachment.ModificationDate = DateTime.Now;
attachment.Description = "Input.txt";
attachment.MimeType = "application/txt";
//Adds the attachment to the document
document.Attachments.Add(attachment);

//Create PDF graphics for the page
PdfGraphics graphics = page.Graphics;
//Load the TrueType font from the local file
FileStream fontStream = new FileStream("Arial.ttf", FileMode.Open, FileAccess.Read);
PdfFont font = new PdfTrueTypeFont(fontStream, 14);
//Draw the text
graphics.DrawString("Hello World!!!", font, PdfBrushes.Black, new Syncfusion.Drawing.PointF(0, 0));

//Creating the stream object
MemoryStream stream = new MemoryStream();
//Save the document into memory stream
document.Save(stream);
//If the position is not set to '0', then the PDF will be empty
stream.Position = 0;
//Close the document
document.Close(true);
//Defining the ContentType for PDF file
string contentType = "application/pdf";
//Define the file name
string fileName = "Output.pdf";
//Creates a FileContentResult object by using the file contents, content type, and file name
return File(stream, contentType, fileName);
//Create a new document with PDF/A-3b standard
PdfDocument document = new PdfDocument(PdfConformanceLevel.Pdf_A3B);
//Add a page
PdfPage page = document.Pages.Add();

//Creates an attachment
PdfAttachment attachment = new PdfAttachment("Input.txt");
attachment.Relationship = PdfAttachmentRelationship.Alternative;
attachment.ModificationDate = DateTime.Now;
attachment.Description = "Input.txt";
attachment.MimeType = "application/txt";
//Adds the attachment to the document
document.Attachments.Add(attachment);

//Create PDF graphics for the page
PdfGraphics graphics = page.Graphics;
//Create a solid brush
PdfBrush brush = new PdfSolidBrush(Color.Black);
Font font = new Font("Arial", 20f, FontStyle.Regular);
//Set the font
PdfFont pdfFont = new PdfTrueTypeFont(font, FontStyle.Regular, 12, false, true);
//Draw the text
graphics.DrawString("Hello world!", pdfFont, brush, new PointF(20, 20));

//Save and close the document
document.Save("Output.pdf");
document.Close(true);
'Create a new document with PDF/A-3b standard
Dim document As New PdfDocument(PdfConformanceLevel.Pdf_A3B)
'Add a page
Dim page As PdfPage = document.Pages.Add()

'Creates an attachment
Dim attachment As New PdfAttachment("Input.txt")
attachment.Relationship = PdfAttachmentRelationship.Alternative
attachment.ModificationDate = DateTime.Now
attachment.Description = "Input.txt"
attachment.MimeType = "application/txt"
'Adds the attachment to the document
document.Attachments.Add(attachment)

'Create PDF graphics for the page
Dim graphics As PdfGraphics = page.Graphics
'Create a solid brush
Dim brush As PdfBrush = New PdfSolidBrush(Color.Black)
Dim font As New Font("Arial", 20.0F, FontStyle.Regular)
'Set the font
Dim pdfFont As PdfFont = New PdfTrueTypeFont(font, FontStyle.Regular, 12, False, True)
'Draw the text
graphics.DrawString("Hello world!", pdfFont, brush, New PointF(20, 20))

'Save and close the document
document.Save("Output.pdf")
document.Close(True)

You can download a complete working sample from GitHub.

PDF/A-1a conformance

PDF/A-1a conformance includes all PDF/A-1b requirements in addition to the features intended to improve a document’s accessibility. PDF/A-1a conformance additionally have crucial properties of Tagged PDF.

You can create a PDF/A-1a document by specifying the conformance level as Pdf_A1A through PdfConformanceLevel Enum when creating the new PDF document, as shown below.

C# [Cross-platform]
C# [Windows-specific]
VB.NET [Windows-specific]
//Create a new document with PDF/A-1a standard
PdfDocument document = new PdfDocument(PdfConformanceLevel.Pdf_A1A);
//Add a page to the document
PdfPage page = document.Pages.Add();
//Create PDF graphics for the page
PdfGraphics graphics = page.Graphics;

//Load the TrueType font from the local file
FileStream fontStream = new FileStream("Arial.ttf", FileMode.Open, FileAccess.Read);
PdfFont font = new PdfTrueTypeFont(fontStream, 14);
//Draw the text
graphics.DrawString("Hello World!!!", font, PdfBrushes.Black, new Syncfusion.Drawing.PointF(0, 0));

//Creating the stream object
MemoryStream stream = new MemoryStream();
//Save the document into memory stream
document.Save(stream);
//If the position is not set to '0', then the PDF will be empty
stream.Position = 0;
//Close the document
document.Close(true);
//Defining the ContentType for PDF file
string contentType = "application/pdf";
//Define the file name
string fileName = "Output.pdf";
//Creates a FileContentResult object by using the file contents, content type, and file name
return File(stream, contentType, fileName);
//Create a new document with PDF/A-1a standard.
PdfDocument document = new PdfDocument(PdfConformanceLevel.Pdf_A1A);
//Add a page.
PdfPage page = document.Pages.Add();
//Create PDF graphics for the page.
PdfGraphics graphics = page.Graphics;

//Create a solid brush.
PdfBrush brush = new PdfSolidBrush(Color.Black);
//Set the font.
Font font = new Font("Arial", 20f, FontStyle.Regular);
PdfFont pdfFont = new PdfTrueTypeFont(font, FontStyle.Regular, 12, false, true);
//Draw the text.
graphics.DrawString("Hello world!", pdfFont, brush, new PointF(20, 20));

//Save and close the document.
document.Save("Output.pdf");
document.Close(true);
'Create a new document with PDF/A-1a standard.
Dim document As New PdfDocument(PdfConformanceLevel.Pdf_A1A)
'Add a page.
Dim page As PdfPage = document.Pages.Add()
'Create PDF graphics for the page.
Dim graphics As PdfGraphics = page.Graphics

'Create a solid brush.
Dim brush As PdfBrush = New PdfSolidBrush(Color.Black)
'Set the font.
Dim font As New Font("Arial", 20.0F, FontStyle.Regular)
Dim pdfFont As PdfFont = New PdfTrueTypeFont(font, FontStyle.Regular, 12, False, True)
'Draw the text.
graphics.DrawString("Hello world!", pdfFont, brush, New PointF(20, 20))

'Save and close the document.
document.Save("Output.pdf")
document.Close(True)

You can download a complete working sample from GitHub.

PDF/A-2a conformance

PDF/A-2a conformance includes all PDF/A-2b requirements in addition to the features intended to improve a document’s accessibility. PDF/A-2a conformance additionally have crucial properties of Tagged PDF.

You can create a PDF/A-2a document by specifying the conformance level as Pdf_A2A through PdfConformanceLevel Enum when creating the new PDF document as follows.

C# [Cross-platform]
C# [Windows-specific]
VB.NET [Windows-specific]
//Create a new document with PDF/A-2a standard
PdfDocument document = new PdfDocument(PdfConformanceLevel.Pdf_A2A);
//Add a page to the document
PdfPage page = document.Pages.Add();
//Create PDF graphics for the page
PdfGraphics graphics = page.Graphics;

//Load the TrueType font from the local file
FileStream fontStream = new FileStream("Arial.ttf", FileMode.Open, FileAccess.Read);
PdfFont font = new PdfTrueTypeFont(fontStream, 14);
//Draw the text
graphics.DrawString("Hello World!!!", font, PdfBrushes.Black, new Syncfusion.Drawing.PointF(0, 0));

//Creating the stream object
MemoryStream stream = new MemoryStream();
//Save the document into memory stream
document.Save(stream);
//If the position is not set to '0', then the PDF will be empty
stream.Position = 0;
//Close the document
document.Close(true);
//Defining the ContentType for PDF file
string contentType = "application/pdf";
//Define the file name
string fileName = "Output.pdf";
//Creates a FileContentResult object by using the file contents, content type, and file name
return File(stream, contentType, fileName);
//Create a new document with PDF/A-2a standard
PdfDocument document = new PdfDocument(PdfConformanceLevel.Pdf_A2A);
//Add a page
PdfPage page = document.Pages.Add();
//Create PDF graphics for the page
PdfGraphics graphics = page.Graphics;

//Create a solid brush
PdfBrush brush = new PdfSolidBrush(Color.Black);
//Set the font
Font font = new Font("Arial", 20f, FontStyle.Regular);
PdfFont pdfFont = new PdfTrueTypeFont(font, FontStyle.Regular, 12, false, true);
//Draw the text
graphics.DrawString("Hello world!", pdfFont, brush, new PointF(20, 20));

//Save and close the document
document.Save("Output.pdf");
document.Close(true);
'Create a new document with PDF/A-2a standard
Dim document As New PdfDocument(PdfConformanceLevel.Pdf_A2A)
'Add a page
Dim page As PdfPage = document.Pages.Add()
'Create PDF graphics for the page
Dim graphics As PdfGraphics = page.Graphics

'Create a solid brush
Dim brush As PdfBrush = New PdfSolidBrush(Color.Black)
'Set the font
Dim font As New Font("Arial", 20.0F, FontStyle.Regular)
Dim pdfFont As PdfFont = New PdfTrueTypeFont(font, FontStyle.Regular, 12, False, True)
'Draw the text
graphics.DrawString("Hello world!", pdfFont, brush, New PointF(20, 20))

'Save and close the document
document.Save("Output.pdf")
document.Close(True)

You can download a complete working sample from GitHub.

PDF/A-3a conformance

PDF/A-3a conformance includes all PDF/A-3b requirements in addition to the features intended to improve a document’s accessibility. PDF/A-3a conformance additionally have crucial properties of Tagged PDF.

You can create a PDF/A-3a document by specifying the conformance level as Pdf_A3A through PdfConformanceLevel Enum when creating the new PDF document as follows.

C# [Cross-platform]
C# [Windows-specific]
VB.NET [Windows-specific]
//Create a new document with PDF/A-3a standard
PdfDocument document = new PdfDocument(PdfConformanceLevel.Pdf_A3A);
//Add a page to the document
PdfPage page = document.Pages.Add();

//Creates an attachment
Stream fileStream = new FileStream("Input.txt", FileMode.Open, FileAccess.Read);
PdfAttachment attachment = new PdfAttachment("Input.txt", fileStream);
attachment.Relationship = PdfAttachmentRelationship.Alternative;
attachment.ModificationDate = DateTime.Now;
attachment.Description = "Input.txt";
attachment.MimeType = "application/txt";
//Adds the attachment to the document
document.Attachments.Add(attachment);

//Create PDF graphics for the page
PdfGraphics graphics = page.Graphics;
//Load the TrueType font from the local file
FileStream fontStream = new FileStream("Arial.ttf", FileMode.Open, FileAccess.Read);
PdfFont font = new PdfTrueTypeFont(fontStream, 14);
//Draw the text
graphics.DrawString("Hello World!!!", font, PdfBrushes.Black, new Syncfusion.Drawing.PointF(0, 0));

//Creating the stream object
MemoryStream stream = new MemoryStream();
//Save the document into memory stream
document.Save(stream);
//If the position is not set to '0', then the PDF will be empty
stream.Position = 0;
//Close the document
document.Close(true);
//Defining the ContentType for PDF file
string contentType = "application/pdf";
//Define the file name
string fileName = "Output.pdf";
//Creates a FileContentResult object by using the file contents, content type, and file name
return File(stream, contentType, fileName);
//Create a new document with PDF/A-3a standard
PdfDocument document = new PdfDocument(PdfConformanceLevel.Pdf_A3A);
//Add a page
PdfPage page = document.Pages.Add();

//Creates an attachment
PdfAttachment attachment = new PdfAttachment("Input.txt");
attachment.Relationship = PdfAttachmentRelationship.Alternative;
attachment.ModificationDate = DateTime.Now;
attachment.Description = "Input.txt";
attachment.MimeType = "application/txt";
//Adds the attachment to the document
document.Attachments.Add(attachment);

//Create PDF graphics for the page
PdfGraphics graphics = page.Graphics;

//Create a solid brush
PdfBrush brush = new PdfSolidBrush(Color.Black);
Font font = new Font("Arial", 20f, FontStyle.Regular);
//Set the font
PdfFont pdfFont = new PdfTrueTypeFont(font, FontStyle.Regular, 12, false, true);
//Draw the text
graphics.DrawString("Hello world!", pdfFont, brush, new PointF(20, 20));

//Save and close the document
document.Save("Output.pdf");
document.Close(true);
'Create a new document with PDF/A-3a standard
Dim document As New PdfDocument(PdfConformanceLevel.Pdf_A3A)
'Add a page
Dim page As PdfPage = document.Pages.Add()

'Creates an attachment
Dim attachment As New PdfAttachment("Input.txt")
attachment.Relationship = PdfAttachmentRelationship.Alternative
attachment.ModificationDate = DateTime.Now
attachment.Description = "Input.txt"
attachment.MimeType = "application/txt"
'Adds the attachment to the document
document.Attachments.Add(attachment)

'Create PDF graphics for the page
Dim graphics As PdfGraphics = page.Graphics
'Create a solid brush
Dim brush As PdfBrush = New PdfSolidBrush(Color.Black)
'Set the font
Dim font As New Font("Arial", 20.0F, FontStyle.Regular)
Dim pdfFont As PdfFont = New PdfTrueTypeFont(font, FontStyle.Regular, 12, False, True)

'Draw the text
graphics.DrawString("Hello world!", pdfFont, brush, New PointF(20, 20))

'Save and close the document
document.Save("Output.pdf")
document.Close(True)

You can download a complete working sample from GitHub.

PDF/A-2u conformance

PDF/A-2u conformance includes all PDF/A-2b requirements, and additionally Unicode mapping for all text in the document.

You can create a PDF/A-2u document by specifying the conformance level as Pdf_A2U through PdfConformanceLevel Enum when creating the new PDF document as follows.

C# [Cross-platform]
C# [Windows-specific]
VB.NET [Windows-specific]
//Create a new document with PDF/A-2u standard
PdfDocument document = new PdfDocument(PdfConformanceLevel.Pdf_A2U);
//Add a page to the document
PdfPage page = document.Pages.Add();
//Create PDF graphics for the page
PdfGraphics graphics = page.Graphics;

//Load the TrueType font from the local file
FileStream fontStream = new FileStream("Arial.ttf", FileMode.Open, FileAccess.Read);
PdfFont font = new PdfTrueTypeFont(fontStream, 14);
//Draw the text
graphics.DrawString("Hello World!!!", font, PdfBrushes.Black, new Syncfusion.Drawing.PointF(0, 0));

//Creating the stream object
MemoryStream stream = new MemoryStream();
//Save the document into memory stream
document.Save(stream);
//If the position is not set to '0', then the PDF will be empty
stream.Position = 0;
//Close the document
document.Close(true);
//Defining the ContentType for PDF file
string contentType = "application/pdf";
//Define the file name
string fileName = "Output.pdf";
//Creates a FileContentResult object by using the file contents, content type, and file name
return File(stream, contentType, fileName);
//Create a new document with PDF/A-2u standard
PdfDocument document = new PdfDocument(PdfConformanceLevel.Pdf_A2U);
//Add a page
PdfPage page = document.Pages.Add();
//Create PDF graphics for the page
PdfGraphics graphics = page.Graphics;

//Create a solid brush
PdfBrush brush = new PdfSolidBrush(Color.Black);
Font font = new Font("Arial", 20f, FontStyle.Regular);
//Set the font
PdfFont pdfFont = new PdfTrueTypeFont(font, FontStyle.Regular, 12, false, true);
//Draw the text
graphics.DrawString("Hello world!", pdfFont, brush, new PointF(20, 20));

//Save and close the document
document.Save("Output.pdf");
document.Close(true);
'Create a new document with PDF/A-2u standard
Dim document As New PdfDocument(PdfConformanceLevel.Pdf_A2U)
'Add a page
Dim page As PdfPage = document.Pages.Add()
'Create PDF graphics for the page
Dim graphics As PdfGraphics = page.Graphics

'Create a solid brush
Dim brush As PdfBrush = New PdfSolidBrush(Color.Black)
Dim font As New Font("Arial", 20.0F, FontStyle.Regular)
'Set the font
Dim pdfFont As PdfFont = New PdfTrueTypeFont(font, FontStyle.Regular, 12, False, True)
'Draw the text
graphics.DrawString("Hello world!", pdfFont, brush, New PointF(20, 20))

'Save and close the document
document.Save("Output.pdf")
document.Close(True)

You can download a complete working sample from GitHub.

PDF/A-3u conformance

PDF/A-3u conformance includes all PDF/A-3b requirements, and additionally Unicode mapping for all text in the document.

You can create a PDF/A-3u document by specifying the conformance level as Pdf_A3U through PdfConformanceLevel Enum when creating the new PDF document as follows.

C# [Cross-platform]
C# [Windows-specific]
VB.NET [Windows-specific]
//Create a new document with PDF/A-3u standard
PdfDocument document = new PdfDocument(PdfConformanceLevel.Pdf_A3U);
//Add a page to the document
PdfPage page = document.Pages.Add();

//Creates an attachment
Stream fileStream = new FileStream("Input.txt", FileMode.Open, FileAccess.Read);
PdfAttachment attachment = new PdfAttachment("Input.txt", fileStream);
attachment.Relationship = PdfAttachmentRelationship.Alternative;
attachment.ModificationDate = DateTime.Now;
attachment.Description = "Input.txt";
attachment.MimeType = "application/txt";
//Adds the attachment to the document
document.Attachments.Add(attachment);

//Create PDF graphics for the page
PdfGraphics graphics = page.Graphics;
//Load the TrueType font from the local file
FileStream fontStream = new FileStream("Arial.ttf", FileMode.Open, FileAccess.Read);
PdfFont font = new PdfTrueTypeFont(fontStream, 14);
//Draw the text
graphics.DrawString("Hello World!!!", font, PdfBrushes.Black, new Syncfusion.Drawing.PointF(0, 0));

//Creating the stream object
MemoryStream stream = new MemoryStream();
//Save the document into memory stream
document.Save(stream);
//If the position is not set to '0', then the PDF will be empty
stream.Position = 0;
//Close the document
document.Close(true);
//Defining the content type for PDF file
string contentType = "application/pdf";
//Define the file name
string fileName = "Output.pdf";
//Creates a FileContentResult object by using the file contents, content type, and file name
return File(stream, contentType, fileName);
//Create a new document with PDF/A-3u standard
PdfDocument document = new PdfDocument(PdfConformanceLevel.Pdf_A3U);
//Add a page
PdfPage page = document.Pages.Add();

//Creates an attachment
PdfAttachment attachment = new PdfAttachment("Input.txt");
attachment.Relationship = PdfAttachmentRelationship.Alternative;
attachment.ModificationDate = DateTime.Now;
attachment.Description = "Input.txt";
attachment.MimeType = "application/txt";
//Adds the attachment to the document
document.Attachments.Add(attachment);

//Create PDF graphics for the page
PdfGraphics graphics = page.Graphics;
//Create a solid brush
PdfBrush brush = new PdfSolidBrush(Color.Black);
//Set the font
Font font = new Font("Arial", 20f, FontStyle.Regular);
PdfFont pdfFont = new PdfTrueTypeFont(font, FontStyle.Regular, 12, false, true);

//Draw the text
graphics.DrawString("Hello world!", pdfFont, brush, new PointF(20, 20));

//Save and close the document
document.Save("Output.pdf");
document.Close(true);
'Create a new document with PDF/A-3u standard
Dim document As New PdfDocument(PdfConformanceLevel.Pdf_A3U)
'Add a page
Dim page As PdfPage = document.Pages.Add()

'Creates an attachment
Dim attachment As New PdfAttachment("Input.txt")
attachment.Relationship = PdfAttachmentRelationship.Alternative
attachment.ModificationDate = DateTime.Now
attachment.Description = "Input.txt"
attachment.MimeType = "application/txt"
'Adds the attachment to the document
document.Attachments.Add(attachment)

'Create PDF graphics for the page
Dim graphics As PdfGraphics = page.Graphics
'Create a solid brush
Dim brush As PdfBrush = New PdfSolidBrush(Color.Black)
'Set the font
Dim font As New Font("Arial", 20.0F, FontStyle.Regular)
Dim pdfFont As PdfFont = New PdfTrueTypeFont(font, FontStyle.Regular, 12, False, True)

'Draw the text
graphics.DrawString("Hello world!", pdfFont, brush, New PointF(20, 20))

'Save and close the document
document.Save("Output.pdf")
document.Close(True)

You can download a complete working sample from GitHub.

PDF/A-4 conformance

The separate conformance levels a, b, and u are not used in a PDF/A-4. Instead, PDF/A-4 encourages but does not require the addition of higher-level logical structures, and it requires Unicode mappings for all fonts.

Create a PDF/A-4 document by specifying the conformance level as Pdf_A4 through the PdfConformanceLevel Enum when creating a new PDF document as follows.

C# [Cross-platform]
C# [Windows-specific]
VB.NET [Windows-specific]
//Create a new document with the PDF/A-4 standard. 
PdfDocument document = new PdfDocument(PdfConformanceLevel.Pdf_A4); 
//Add a page to the document. 
PdfPage page = document.Pages.Add();
//Create the PDF graphics for the page. 
PdfGraphics graphics = page.Graphics; 

//Load the TrueType font from the local file. 
FileStream fontStream = new FileStream("Arial.ttf", FileMode.Open, FileAccess.Read); 
PdfFont font = new PdfTrueTypeFont(fontStream, 14);
//Draw the text.
graphics.DrawString("Hello World!!!", font, PdfBrushes.Black, new Syncfusion.Drawing.PointF(0, 0)); 

//Create the stream object. 
MemoryStream stream = new MemoryStream(); 
//Save the document into the memory stream. 
document.Save(stream); 
//If the position is not set to '0,' a PDF will be empty.
stream.Position = 0;
//Close the document.
document.Close(true); 
//Define the content type for a PDF file.
string contentType = "application/pdf";
//Define the file name.
string fileName = "Output.pdf";
//Create the FileContentResult object by using the file contents, content type, and file name.
return File(stream, contentType, fileName);
//Create a new document with the PDF/A-4 standard. 
PdfDocument document = new PdfDocument(PdfConformanceLevel.Pdf_A4);
//Add a page. 
PdfPage page = document.Pages.Add(); 
//Create the PDF graphics for the page. 
PdfGraphics graphics = page.Graphics; 

//Create a solid brush. 
PdfBrush brush = new PdfSolidBrush(Color.Black); 
//Set the font. 
Font font = new Font("Arial", 20f, FontStyle.Regular); 
PdfFont pdfFont = new PdfTrueTypeFont(font, FontStyle.Regular, 12, false, true); 
//Draw the text. 
graphics.DrawString("Hello world!", pdfFont, brush, new PointF(20, 20)); 

//Save and close the document. 
document.Save("Output.pdf"); 
document.Close(true);
'Create a new document with the PDF/A-4 standard. 
Dim document As New PdfDocument(PdfConformanceLevel.Pdf_A4) 
'Add a page. 
Dim page As PdfPage = document.Pages.Add() 
'Create the PDF graphics for the page. 
Dim graphics As PdfGraphics = page.Graphics 

'Create a solid brush. 
Dim brush As PdfBrush = New PdfSolidBrush(Color.Black) 
'Set the font. 
Dim font As New Font("Arial", 20.0F, FontStyle.Regular) 
Dim pdfFont As PdfFont = New PdfTrueTypeFont(font, FontStyle.Regular, 12, False, True) 
'Draw the text. 
graphics.DrawString("Hello world!", pdfFont, brush, New PointF(20, 20)) 

'Save and close the document. 
document.Save("Output.pdf") 
document.Close(True)

You can download a complete working sample from GitHub.

PDF/A-4e conformance

The PDF/A-4E (“Engineering”) is intended for technical documents and replaces PDF/E. PDF/A-4e supports 3D models, rich media, and 3D annotations as well as embedded files.

Create a PDF/A-4E document by specifying the conformance level as Pdf_A4E through the PdfConformanceLevel Enum when creating the new PDF document as follows.

C# [Cross-platform]
C# [Windows-specific]
VB.NET [Windows-specific]
//Create a new document with the PDF/A-4 standard. 
PdfDocument document = new PdfDocument(PdfConformanceLevel.Pdf_A4); 
//Creates a new page. 
PdfPage page = document.Pages.Add(); 

//Create a new pdf 3d annotation. 
FileStream inputStream = new FileStream("3DAnnotation.U3D", FileMode.Open, FileAccess.Read); 
Pdf3DAnnotation pdf3dAnnotation = new Pdf3DAnnotation(new RectangleF(10, 50, 300, 150), inputStream); 
//Handle the activation of the 3d annotation. 
Pdf3DActivation activation = new Pdf3DActivation(); 
activation.ActivationMode = Pdf3DActivationMode.ExplicitActivation; 
activation.ShowToolbar = true; pdf3dAnnotation.Activation = activation; 
//Add the annotation to the page. 
page.Annotations.Add(pdf3dAnnotation); 

//Save the document into the stream. 
MemoryStream stream = new MemoryStream(); 
document.Save(stream); stream.Position = 0; 
//Close the document. 
document.Close(true); 
//Define the ContentType for a pdf file. 
string contentType = "application/pdf"; 
//Define the file name. 
string fileName = "3DAnnotation.pdf"; 
//Create the FileContentResult object by using the file contents, content type, and file name. 
return File(stream, contentType, fileName);
//Create a new document with the PDF/A-4E standard. 
PdfDocument document = new PdfDocument(PdfConformanceLevel.Pdf_A4E); 
//Create a new page. 
PdfPage page = document.Pages.Add(); 

//Create a new pdf 3d annotation. 
Pdf3DAnnotation pdf3dAnnotation = new Pdf3DAnnotation(new RectangleF(10, 50, 300, 150), @"3DAnnotation.U3D"); 
//Handle the activation of the 3d annotation. 
Pdf3DActivation activation = new Pdf3DActivation(); 
activation.ActivationMode = Pdf3DActivationMode.ExplicitActivation; 
activation.ShowToolbar = true; pdf3dAnnotation.Activation = activation; 
//Add the annotation to the page. 
page.Annotations.Add(pdf3dAnnotation); 

//Save the document to the disk.
document.Save("3DAnnotation.pdf"); 
//Close the document.
document.Close(true);
'Create a new document with the PDF/A-4 standard. 
Dim document As New PdfDocument(PdfConformanceLevel.Pdf_A4E) 
'Creates a new page. 
Dim page As PdfPage = document.Pages.Add()
 
'Create a new pdf 3d annotation. 
Dim pdf3dAnnotation As New Pdf3DAnnotation(New RectangleF(10, 50, 300, 150), "3DAnnotation.U3D") 
'Handle the activation of the 3d annotation. 
Dim activation As New Pdf3DActivation() 
activation.ActivationMode = Pdf3DActivationMode.ExplicitActivation
activation.ShowToolbar = True 
pdf3dAnnotation.Activation = activation 
'Add the annotation to the page.
page.Annotations.Add(pdf3dAnnotation) 

'Save the document to the disk. 
document.Save("3DAnnotation.pdf") 
'Close the document.
document.Close(True)

You can download a complete working sample from GitHub.

PDF/A-4f conformance

The requirements of the PDF/A-3 have also been partially incorporated into PDF/A-4. Thus, the PDF/A-4f allows the embedding of arbitrary files.

Create a PDF/A-4f document by specifying the conformance level as Pdf_A4F through the PdfConformanceLevel Enum when creating a new PDF document as follows.

C# [Cross-platform]
C# [Windows-specific]
VB.NET [Windows-specific]
//Create a new document with the PDF/A-4F standard. 
PdfDocument document = new PdfDocument(PdfConformanceLevel.Pdf_A4F); 
//Add a page to the document. 
PdfPage page = document.Pages.Add(); 

//Create an attachment. 
Stream fileStream = typeof(MainPage).GetTypeInfo().Assembly.GetManifestResourceStream("Sample.Assets.Data.Input.txt"); 
PdfAttachment attachment = new PdfAttachment(@"Input.txt", fileStream); 
attachment.Relationship = PdfAttachmentRelationship.Alternative; 
attachment.ModificationDate = DateTime.Now; 
attachment.Description = "Input.txt"; 
attachment.MimeType = "application/txt"; 

//Add the attachment to the document. 
document.Attachments.Add(attachment); 

//Create the PDF graphics for the page. 
PdfGraphics graphics = page.Graphics; 
//Load the TrueType font from the local file.
Stream fontStream = typeof(MainPage).GetTypeInfo().Assembly.GetManifestResourceStream("Sample.Assets.Data.Arial.ttf"); 
//Initialize the PDF TrueType font. 
PdfFont font = new PdfTrueTypeFont(fontStream, 14); 
//Draw the text. 
graphics.DrawString("Hello World!!!", font, PdfBrushes.Black, new PointF(0, 0)); 

//Save the document into the memory stream. 
MemoryStream stream = new MemoryStream(); 
await document.SaveAsync(stream); 
//Close the document. 
document.Close(true); 
//Save the stream as a PDF document file in the local machine. Refer to the PDF/UWP section for respective code samples. 
Save(stream, "Output.pdf");
//Create a new document with the PDF/A-3b standard. 
PdfDocument document = new PdfDocument(PdfConformanceLevel.Pdf_A4F); 
//Add a page. 
PdfPage page = document.Pages.Add(); 

//Create an attachment. 
PdfAttachment attachment = new PdfAttachment("Input.txt"); 
attachment.Relationship = PdfAttachmentRelationship.Alternative; 
attachment.ModificationDate = DateTime.Now; 
attachment.Description = "Input.txt"; 
attachment.MimeType = "application/txt";
//Add the attachment to the document. 
document.Attachments.Add(attachment); 

//Create the PDF graphics for the page. 
PdfGraphics graphics = page.Graphics; 
//Create a solid brush. 
PdfBrush brush = new PdfSolidBrush(Color.Black);
//Set the font. 
Font font = new Font("Arial", 20f, FontStyle.Regular); 
PdfFont pdfFont = new PdfTrueTypeFont(font, FontStyle.Regular, 12, false, true);
//Draw the text. 
graphics.DrawString("Hello world!", pdfFont, brush, new PointF(20, 20)); 

//Save and close the document. 
document.Save("Output.pdf"); 
document.Close(true);
'Create a new document with the PDF/A-3b standard. 
Dim document As New PdfDocument(PdfConformanceLevel.Pdf_A4F) 
'Add a page. 
Dim page As PdfPage = document.Pages.Add() 

'Create an attachment. 
Dim attachment As New PdfAttachment("Input.txt") 
attachment.Relationship = PdfAttachmentRelationship.Alternative
attachment.ModificationDate = DateTime.Now 
attachment.Description = "Input.txt" 
attachment.MimeType = "application/txt" 
'Add the attachment to the document. 
document.Attachments.Add(attachment) 

'Create the PDF graphics for the page. 
Dim graphics As PdfGraphics = page.Graphics 
'Create a solid brush. 
Dim brush As PdfBrush = New PdfSolidBrush(Color.Black) 
'Set the font. 
Dim font As New Font("Arial", 20.0F, FontStyle.Regular) 
Dim pdfFont As PdfFont = New PdfTrueTypeFont(font, FontStyle.Regular, 12, False, True) 

'Draw the text. 
graphics.DrawString("Hello world!", pdfFont, brush, New PointF(20, 20)) 

'Save and close the document. 
document.Save("Output.pdf") 
document.Close(True)

You can download a complete working sample from GitHub.

PDF/X-1a conformance

You can create a PDF/X-1a document by specifying the conformance level as Pdf_X1A2001 through PdfConformanceLevel Enum when creating the new PDF document, as shown below.

C# [Cross-platform]
C# [Windows-specific]
VB.NET [Windows-specific]
//Creating PDF/X-conformance documents is not supported on C#.NET cross-platform environments.
//Create a new document with PDF/x standard.
PdfDocument document = new PdfDocument(PdfConformanceLevel.Pdf_X1A2001);
//Add a page.
PdfPage page = document.Pages.Add();
//Set color space. 
document.ColorSpace = PdfColorSpace.CMYK;

//Create Pdf graphics for the page.
PdfGraphics graphics = page.Graphics;
//Create a solid brush.
PdfBrush brush = new PdfSolidBrush(Color.Black);
//Set the font.
Font font = new Font("Arial",20f, FontStyle.Regular);
PdfFont pdfFont = new PdfTrueTypeFont(font, FontStyle.Regular, 12, false, true);
//Draw the text.
graphics.DrawString("Hello world!", pdfFont, brush, new PointF(20, 20));

//Save and close the document.
document.Save("Output.pdf");
document.Close(true);
'Create a new document with PDF/x standard.
Dim document As New PdfDocument(PdfConformanceLevel.Pdf_X1A2001)
'Add a page.
Dim page As PdfPage = document.Pages.Add()

'Set ColorSpace
document.ColorSpace = PdfColorSpace.CMYK

'Create Pdf graphics for the page.
Dim graphics As PdfGraphics = page.Graphics
'Create a solid brush.
Dim brush As PdfBrush = New PdfSolidBrush(Color.Black)
'Set the font.
Dim font As New Font("Arial", 20.0F, FontStyle.Regular)
Dim pdfFont As PdfFont = New PdfTrueTypeFont(font, FontStyle.Regular, 12, False, True)
'Draw the text.
graphics.DrawString("Hello world!", font, brush, New PointF(20, 20))

'Save and close the document.
document.Save("Output.pdf")
document.Close(True)

You can download a complete working sample from GitHub.

PDF to PDF/A conversion

An existing PDF document can be converted to a PDF/A conformance document by setting the Conformance property of the PdfLoadedDocument class to one of the following values from the PdfConformanceLevel enumeration:

Available PDF/A Conformance Options:

Pdf_A1B
Pdf_A2B
Pdf_A3B
Pdf_A4
Pdf_A4E
Pdf_A4F

NOTE

1.To convert the existing PDF to PDF/A conformance document in .NET Core, you need to add the Syncfusion.Pdf.Imaging.Net.Core package from NuGet.org as a reference in your project.
2.For Linux environments, refer to the documentation for detailed information on the additional NuGet packages required.

Refer to the following code sample to implement this conversion.

C# [Cross-platform]
C# [Windows-specific]
VB.NET [Windows-specific]
//Load an existing PDF document
FileStream docStream = new FileStream(@"Input.pdf", FileMode.Open, FileAccess.Read);
PdfLoadedDocument loadedDocument = new PdfLoadedDocument(docStream);

//Sample level font event handling
loadedDocument.SubstituteFont += LoadedDocument_SubstituteFont ;
//Convert the loaded document to PDF/A document
loadedDocument.ConvertToPDFA(PdfConformanceLevel.Pdf_A1B);

//Save the document
MemoryStream stream = new MemoryStream();
loadedDocument.Save(stream); 
stream.Position = 0; 
//Close the document 
loadedDocument.Close(true); 
//Defining the content type for PDF file 
string contentType = "application/pdf";
//Define the file name 
string fileName = "output.pdf";
//Creates a FileContentResult object by using the file contents, content type, and file name
return File(stream, contentType, fileName);
//Load an existing PDF document.
PdfLoadedDocument loadedDocument = new PdfLoadedDocument("Input.pdf");

//Set the conformance for PDF/A-1b conversion.
loadedDocument.Conformance = PdfConformanceLevel.Pdf_A1B;

//Save and close the document.
loadedDocument.Save("Output.pdf");
loadedDocument.Close(true);
'Load an existing PDF document.
Dim document As New PdfLoadedDocument("Input.pdf")

'Set the conformance for PDF/A-1b conversion.
loadedDocument.Conformance = PdfConformanceLevel.Pdf_A1B

'Save and close the document.
loadedDocument.Save("Output.pdf")
loadedDocument.Close(True)

To convert an existing PDF document to the PDFA document in .NET Core, you need to substitute the non-embedded fonts in the input document. Refer to the the following code sample to achieve the same.

C# [Cross-platform]
static void LoadedDocument_SubstituteFont(object sender, PdfFontEventArgs args)
{
     //get the font name
     string fontName = args.FontName.Split(',')[0];
     //get the font style
     PdfFontStyle fontStyle = args.FontStyle;
     SKFontStyle sKFontStyle = SKFontStyle.Normal;

     if (fontStyle != PdfFontStyle.Regular)
     {
         if (fontStyle == PdfFontStyle.Bold)
         {
             sKFontStyle = SKFontStyle.Bold;
         }
         else if (fontStyle == PdfFontStyle.Italic)
         {
             sKFontStyle = SKFontStyle.Italic;
         }
         else if (fontStyle == (PdfFontStyle.Italic | PdfFontStyle.Bold))
         {
             sKFontStyle = SKFontStyle.BoldItalic;
         }
    }
	
    SKTypeface typeface = SKTypeface.FromFamilyName(fontName, sKFontStyle);
    SKStreamAsset typeFaceStream = typeface.OpenStream();
    MemoryStream memoryStream = null;
    if (typeFaceStream != null && typeFaceStream.Length > 0)
    {
         //Create the fontData from the type face stream.	 
         byte[] fontData = new byte[typeFaceStream.Length - 1];	 
         typeFaceStream.Read(fontData, typeFaceStream.Length);	 
         typeFaceStream.Dispose();	 
         //Create the new memory stream from the font data.	 
         memoryStream = new MemoryStream(fontData);
    }	
    //set the font stream to the event args.	
    args.FontStream = memoryStream;
}

You can download a complete working sample from GitHub.

NOTE

Converting PDF to PDF/X-1a conformance document is not supported.

CMYK color space images and symbolic fonts are not supported.

From the .NET Framework 3.5 version, the Essential^® PDF is compatible with the PDF to PDF/A conversion.

Font subsetting during PDF to PDF/A conversion

You can optimize the size of PDF/A documents by embedding only the required font glyphs during conversion. This is achieved by setting the SubsetFonts and ConformanceLevel properties using the PdfConformanceOptions class.

Refer to the following code sample for implementation.

NOTE

To convert an existing PDF to a PDF/A-compliant document in .NET Core, ensure that the Syncfusion.Pdf.Imaging.Net.Core assembly package is referenced in your project.

C# [Cross-platform]
C# [Windows-specific]
VB.NET [Windows-specific]
//Load an existing PDF document  
FileStream docStream = new FileStream(@"Input.pdf", FileMode.Open, FileAccess.Read);  
PdfLoadedDocument loadedDocument = new PdfLoadedDocument(docStream); 

//Sample level font event handling  
loadedDocument.SubstituteFont += LoadedDocument_SubstituteFont;  

//Create conformance options 
PdfConformanceOptions options = new PdfConformanceOptions();  
//Set the conformance level 
options.ConformanceLevel = PdfConformanceLevel.Pdf_A1B;  

//Embed fonts as subsets  
options.SubsetFonts = true;  

// Convert to PDF/A conformance 
loadedDocument.ConvertToPDFA(options); 

//Save the document into stream 
MemoryStream stream = new MemoryStream(); 
loadedDocument.Save(stream); 
stream.Position = 0; 
//Closes the document 
loadedDocument.Close(true);
//Load an existing PDF document  
PdfLoadedDocument loadedDocument = new PdfLoadedDocument("Input.pdf"); 

//Convert to PDF/A conformance  
PdfConformanceOptions options = new PdfConformanceOptions(); 
options.ConformanceLevel = PdfConformanceLevel.Pdf_A1B; 

//Embed fonts as subsets  
options.SubsetFonts = true; 
loadedDocument.ConvertToPDFA(options); 

//Save the PDF document
loadedDocument.Save("Output.pdf"); 
//Closes the document 
loadedDocument.Close(true);
' Load an existing PDF document. 
Dim document As New PdfLoadedDocument("Input.pdf") 

' Convert to PDF/A conformance 
 Dim options As PdfConformanceOptions = New PdfConformanceOptions() 
 options.ConformanceLevel = PdfConformanceLevel.Pdf_A1B 

' Embed fonts as subsets 
 options.SubsetFonts = True 
 document.ConvertToPDFA(options) 

' Save the PDF document
document.Save("Output.pdf")  
' Closes the document 
document.Close(True)

You can download a complete working sample from GitHub.

To convert an existing PDF document to the PDFA document in .NET Core, you need to substitute the non-embedded fonts in the input document. Refer to the following code sample to achieve the same.

C# [Cross-platform]
static void LoadedDocument_SubstituteFont(object sender, PdfFontEventArgs args) 

{ 
     //get the font name 
     string fontName = args.FontName.Split(',')[0]; 

     //get the font style 
     PdfFontStyle fontStyle = args.FontStyle; 
     SKFontStyle sKFontStyle = SKFontStyle.Normal; 

     if (fontStyle != PdfFontStyle.Regular) 
     { 
         if (fontStyle == PdfFontStyle.Bold) 
         { 
             sKFontStyle = SKFontStyle.Bold; 
         } 
         else if (fontStyle == PdfFontStyle.Italic) 
         { 
             sKFontStyle = SKFontStyle.Italic; 
         } 
         else if (fontStyle == (PdfFontStyle.Italic | PdfFontStyle.Bold)) 
         { 
             sKFontStyle = SKFontStyle.BoldItalic; 
         } 
     } 

    SKTypeface typeface = SKTypeface.FromFamilyName(fontName, sKFontStyle); 
    SKStreamAsset typeFaceStream = typeface.OpenStream(); 
    MemoryStream memoryStream = null; 
    if (typeFaceStream != null && typeFaceStream.Length > 0) 
    { 
         //Create the fontData from the type face stream.	  
         byte[] fontData = new byte[typeFaceStream.Length];	  
         typeFaceStream.Read(fontData, typeFaceStream.Length);	  
         typeFaceStream.Dispose();	  

         //Create the new memory stream from the font data.	  
         memoryStream = new MemoryStream(fontData); 
    }	 

    //set the font stream to the event args.	 
    args.FontStream = memoryStream; 
}

Get PDF Conformance Level

You can find the conformance level of the existing PDF document using the Conformance property in the PdfLoadedDocument class. Refer to the following code sample to get the conformance level of the existing PDF document.

C# [Cross-platform]
C# [Windows-specific]
VB.NET [Windows-specific]
//Load an existing PDF document
FileStream docStream = new FileStream(@"Input.pdf", FileMode.Open, FileAccess.Read);
PdfLoadedDocument loadedDocument = new PdfLoadedDocument(docStream);

//Get the conformance level of the loaded document. 
PdfConformanceLevel conformance = loadedDocument.Conformance;

//Close the document.
loadedDocument.Close(true);
//Load an existing PDF document. 
PdfLoadedDocument loadedDocument = new PdfLoadedDocument("Input.pdf"); 

//Get the conformance level of the loaded document. 
PdfConformanceLevel conformance = loadedDocument.Conformance;

//Close the document. 
loadedDocument.Close(true);
'Load an existing PDF. 
Dim document As New PdfLoadedDocument("Input.pdf") 

'Get the conformance level of the loaded document. 
PdfConformanceLevel conformance = loadedDocument.Conformance;

'Close the document. 
loadedDocument.Close(True)

You can download a complete working sample from GitHub.

Get PDF to PDF/A conversion progress

You can get conversion progress using PdfAConversionProgress event.

The following code sample shows the delegate for handling PDF to PDF/A conversion process

C# [Cross-platform]
C# [Windows-specific]
VB.NET [Windows-specific]
//Get stream from an existing PDF document.
FileStream docStream = new FileStream(Path.GetFullPath(@"Data/Input.pdf"), FileMode.Open, FileAccess.Read);
 
//Load an existing PDF document.
PdfLoadedDocument loadedDocument = new PdfLoadedDocument(docStream);
 
//Subscribe to the PdfAConversionProgress event to track the PDF to PDF/A conversion process
loadedDocument.PdfAConversionProgress += new PdfLoadedDocument.PdfAConversionProgressEventHandler(pdfAConversion_TrackProgress);
 
loadedDocument.ConvertToPDFA(PdfConformanceLevel.Pdf_A1B);
 
//Save the document
FileStream outputStream = new FileStream(Path.GetFullPath(@"Output.pdf"), FileMode.Create, FileAccess.Write);
loadedDocument.Save(outputStream);
 
//Close the document
loadedDocument.Close(true);
 
 
//Event handler for Track PDF to PDF/A conversion process
void pdfAConversion_TrackProgress(object sender, PdfAConversionProgressEventArgs arguments)
{
    Console.WriteLine(String.Format("PDF to PDF/A conversion process " + arguments.ProgressValue + "% completed"));
}
//Load a PDF document
PdfLoadedDocument loadedDocument = new PdfLoadedDocument("input.pdf");

//Set the conformance for PDF/A-1b conversion
loadedDocument.Conformance = PdfConformanceLevel.Pdf_A1B;
loadedDocument.PdfAConversionProgress += pdfAConversion_TrackProgress;

//Save the document
loadedDocument.Save("Output.pdf");

//Close the document
loadedDocument.Close(true);

//Event handler for Track PDF to PDF/A conversion process
void pdfAConversion_TrackProgress(object sender, PdfAConversionProgressEventArgs arguments)
{
Console.WriteLine(String.Format("PDF to PDF/A conversion Process " + arguments. ProgressValue + " % completed"));
}
'Load a PDF document. 
Dim loadedDocument As PdfLoadedDocument = New PdfLoadedDocument("input.pdf") 

'Set the conformance for PDF/A-1b conversion.
loadedDocument.Conformance = PdfConformanceLevel.Pdf_A1B
loadedDocument.PdfAConversionProgress += pdfAConversion_TrackProgress

'Save the document.
loadedDocument.Save("Output.pdf")

'Close the document.
loadedDocument.Close(True)

'Event handler for Track PDF to PDF/A conversion process.
Private  Sub pdfAConversion_TrackProgress(ByVal sender As Object, ByVal arguments As PdfAConversionProgressEventArgs)
Console.WriteLine(String.Format(PDF to PDF/A conversion Process " + arguments. ProgressValue + " % completed"))

You can download a complete working sample from GitHub.

PDF/A to PDF conversion

An existing PDF/A conformance document can be converted to a PDF document using the RemoveConformance method in the PdfLoadedDocument class. Refer to the following code sample to achieve the same,

C# [Cross-platform]
C# [Windows-specific]
VB.NET [Windows-specific]
//Load a PDF document.
FileStream docStream = new FileStream("Input.pdf", FileMode.Open, FileAccess.Read);
PdfLoadedDocument document = new PdfLoadedDocument(docStream);

//Remove PDF/A conformance.
document.RemoveConformance();

//Save the document.
MemoryStream stream = new MemoryStream();
document.Save(stream);
//Close the document.
document.Close(true);
//Defining the content type for PDF file.
string contentType = "application/pdf";
//Define the file name. 
string fileName = "output.pdf";

//Creates a FileContentResult object by using the file contents, content type, and file name.
return File(stream, contentType, fileName);
//Load an existing document.
PdfLoadedDocument document = new PdfLoadedDocument("input.pdf");

//Remove PDF/A conformance.
document.RemoveConformance();

//Save the document.
document.Save("Output.pdf");
//Close the document.
document.Close(true);
'Load an existing document.
Dim document As PdfLoadedDocument = New PdfLoadedDocument("input.pdf")

'Remove PDF/A conformance.
document.RemoveConformance()

'Save the document.
document.Save("Output.pdf")
'Close the document.
document.Close(True)

You can download a complete working sample from GitHub.

Supported PDF standards for creation and conversion

Conformance Level	Creation Support	Conversion Support
PDF/A-1a	Yes	No
PDF/A-1b	Yes	Yes
PDF/X-1a	Yes	No
PDF/A-2a	Yes	No
PDF/A-2b	Yes	Yes
PDF/A-2u	Yes	Yes
PDF/A-3a	Yes	No
PDF/A-3b	Yes	Yes
PDF/A-3u	Yes	Yes
PDF/A-4	Yes	Yes
PDF/A-4e	Yes	Yes
PDF/A-4f	Yes	Yes