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Fixing the “Aptos not found” PostScript Error in Acrobat

  • Steven Paniccia
  • Jul 8
  • 2 min read

If you've recently tried to export or print a PDF using Adobe Acrobat and hit this message:


   %%[ ProductName: Distiller ]%%

   Aptos not found, using Courier.

   %%[ Error: invalidfont; OffendingCommand: xshow ]%%

   Stack:

   -dict-

   -file-


   %%[ Flushing: rest of job (to end-of-file) will be ignored ]%%

   %%[ Warning: PostScript error. No PDF file produced. ] %%


you're not alone. This frustrating error usually means that Acrobat can't locate or embed the Aptos font—Microsoft 365's modern default—resulting in a failed PDF output. Here's why it happens and how to fix it.



Why This Error Occurs


  • Aptos isn't installed as a system font, so Acrobat can’t embed it.

  • The fallback font (Courier) causes a PostScript failure.

  • The option “Rely on system fonts only” forces Acrobat to bypass document fonts.



Solution 1: Adjust Adobe PDF Printer Settings


This is the quickest and most effective fix.


  1. Open Control Panel > Devices and Printers.

  2. Right-click Adobe PDF → choose Printer Properties.

  3. Go to the Adobe PDF Settings tab.

  4. Uncheck:

  5. "Rely on system fonts only; do not use document fonts"

  6. Hit OK, then reattempt your PDF export.

This allows Acrobat to pull fonts directly from your document—even if they’re cloud-based.


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Solution 2: Permanently Install Aptos as a System Font


Want to make Aptos available to all programs across your PC?

  1. Launch Microsoft Word or Outlook and create a new document.

  2. Select the Aptos font from the dropdown. If you see a cloud icon, click it to download.

  3. Navigate to this folder:

    C:\Users\\AppData\Local\Microsoft\FontCache\4\CloudFonts\Aptos

  4. Copy the .ttf font files inside.

  5. Paste them into: C:\Windows\Fonts

  6. Reboot your system.



Microsoft’s shift to Aptos is refreshing—but it can create a few hiccups when crossing into Adobe’s ecosystem. Whether you tweak the Acrobat settings or install Aptos system-wide, you’ll be back to smooth PDF workflows in minutes.

Got another font-related PDF error? Drop it in the comments—let’s squash it together.


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