Convert PDF to PDF/A-1b Online: Archival PDF Free
Turn a PDF into an archival PDF/A-1b file in your browser. Pages become images, so text is no longer searchable.
PDF to PDF/A-1b (image-based)
Rebuilds your PDF as a PDF/A-1b file made of page images, with an embedded sRGB color profile and PDF/A metadata. 100% client-side; nothing is uploaded.
Every page is turned into an image. Text in the output cannot be selected, searched or read by screen readers, and links, bookmarks, form fields and annotations are dropped.
We tested the output structure with the open-source veraPDF validator (PDF/A-1b profile), but your own file is not validated here. If a court, government agency, bank or records office requires PDF/A, check the downloaded file with veraPDF before you submit it.
Long documents take a while, especially on phones.
What this tool does and who it is for
This tool rebuilds your PDF as a PDF/A-1b file made entirely of page images. Each page is rendered in your browser at 150, 200 or 300 dpi and stored as an RGB JPEG at its original size. Nothing is uploaded.
On top of the images it adds what PDF/A-1b requires: an sRGB ICC color profile in a PDF/A output intent, XMP metadata that identifies the file as PDF/A-1b and matches the document properties, a file identifier, and no fonts, transparency, encryption or JavaScript. We checked output from this exact process with the open-source veraPDF validator (PDF/A-1b profile) and it passed.
The trade-off is that text becomes part of a picture. The result cannot be searched, selected or read aloud, and links, bookmarks and form fields are gone. Your own file is not run through a validator here, so check it with veraPDF if an agency or court will.
Official Formula / Technical Standard
Real-World Worked Scenario
A legal contract PDF converted to PDF/A-1b passes court electronic filing (e-Filing) compliance checks.
When people use it
Archiving signed paperwork
Freeze a signed lease, closing packet or settlement as images so it renders the same way in any PDF/A reader years from now.
Meeting a 'PDF/A required' upload rule
Some portals only check for PDF/A identification and structure. Convert, validate with veraPDF, then upload.
Flattening a file with problem fonts
If a PDF uses fonts that will not embed, rasterizing sidesteps the font requirement entirely, at the cost of searchable text.
Notes for US users
- Some US federal courts, state e-filing systems, and records programs name PDF/A or ask for archival-quality files. Read the specific rule; never assume a label is enough.
- The National Archives and other agencies publish format guidance for permanent records. Check the current guidance for your situation.
- Healthcare and legal retention often depends on file readability years later, which is the reason PDF/A exists. Keep a validated copy for anything with a long retention period.
Limits and what to double-check
- •Text is rasterized, so the output is not searchable or accessible to screen readers. If you need PDF/A-1a, PDF/A-2u or searchable archives, use a converter that keeps real text with embedded fonts.
- •Only PDF/A-1b (visual appearance) is produced. Your specific output is not validated on this page; run it through veraPDF before submitting it anywhere strict.
- •Password-protected PDFs must be unlocked first. Image-based files are often larger than the original, and long documents at 300 dpi can be slow or run out of memory on phones.
Expert Best Practices & Common Pitfalls
Recommended Best Practices
- •Always convert legal contracts, deeds, and patent filings to PDF/A before digital archiving.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- •Leaving dynamic interactive scripts inside documents intended for permanent preservation.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Upload PDF
Select your standard PDF document.
Convert
Click 'Convert to PDF/A Compliance'.
Download File
Save your ISO compliant archival document.
Features & Security Architecture
- PDF/A-1b structure: XMP metadata, sRGB output intent and no fonts, transparency or encryption (validate with veraPDF for certified use)
- Standardized Metadata: Embeds conforming Dublin Core and PDF/A identification schema
- Pages become images, so text is no longer searchable but renders the same everywhere
- Zero Cloud Transmissions: Confidential government, legal, and court filings stay on your device
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between PDF and PDF/A?▼
PDF/A is a specialized subset of PDF designed for long-term preservation, forbidding external references and dynamic content.
Is the output actually PDF/A compliant?▼
It is built to the PDF/A-1b rules, and sample output from this exact process passed the veraPDF validator's PDF/A-1b profile. We do not validate your particular file here, so if compliance matters (courts, government, banks), open veraPDF, which is free, and check the downloaded file before you submit it.
Why are my pages turned into images?▼
PDF/A requires every font to be embedded, and a browser cannot reliably embed fonts that the original file left out. Rendering pages to images removes fonts from the picture entirely, which is the most dependable way to reach PDF/A-1b in a browser. The price is losing selectable, searchable text.
What is the difference between PDF and PDF/A?▼
PDF/A is a restricted subset of PDF meant for long-term storage. It requires embedded fonts and color profiles and bans encryption, JavaScript and external dependencies, so a file looks the same decades later. If a recipient names a specific level, such as PDF/A-2b or PDF/A-3, check that PDF/A-1b is acceptable before using this tool.
Which resolution should I pick?▼
200 dpi is a sensible default for typed documents. Choose 300 dpi for small print, drawings or anything that may be printed again, and 150 dpi when file size matters more than sharpness.