Optimize

PDF/A Convert

Convert standard PDFs to the PDF/A-2 archival format for long-term preservation and regulatory compliance. Embeds fonts and removes external dependencies. SnapOtter processes files on your own server for document privacy.

Features

  • Converts to PDF/A-2 standard for long-term archival compliance
  • Embeds all fonts to ensure display consistency across systems and decades
  • Removes JavaScript, multimedia, and external references per the standard
  • Validates output against PDF/A-2 conformance requirements
  • Self-hosted conversion keeps regulated documents on your infrastructure

What you can do

  • Converting legal documents to PDF/A for court-mandated archival submission
  • Preparing government records in PDF/A format for long-term digital preservation
  • Converting invoices to PDF/A-2 to meet EU e-invoicing compliance requirements
  • Archiving engineering drawings in PDF/A for regulatory retention periods

Self-hosted. Your files never leave your network.

SnapOtter runs entirely on your own infrastructure. Files processed with PDF/A Convert are never uploaded to third-party servers. Deploy a single Docker container and process files with full privacy, no watermarks, and no usage limits. Open source under AGPL-3.0.

Frequently asked questions

What is PDF/A and why would I need it?
PDF/A is an ISO-standardized format designed for long-term document preservation. It embeds all fonts and removes external dependencies so the file displays identically decades from now. Processing runs on your server.
Will my document look different after conversion?
The visual appearance stays the same. PDF/A conversion embeds fonts, removes scripts, and strips external references, but the visible content and layout are preserved. Files stay on your network.
Does PDF/A-2 conversion meet compliance requirements?
PDF/A-2 is widely accepted for legal, government, and financial archival requirements including EU regulations. SnapOtter processes everything locally, keeping regulated documents on your own infrastructure.

Ready to try PDF/A Convert?

Deploy SnapOtter in under a minute. All 157 tools included. Open source and free forever.