PDF Standards Comparison: 1.7 vs 2.0 vs PDF/A
Which PDF standard should you target? This guide compares PDF 1.7, PDF 2.0, PDF/A, PDF/X, and PDF/E — with guidance on when each standard applies.
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Tags: pdf, developer-tools, internals
PDF Standards: 1.4, 1.7, 2.0, PDF/A, PDF/X, PDF/UA The "PDF" you use daily is actually one of a dozen related but distinct specifications. PDF 1.4 from 2001 and PDF 2.0 from 2017 are very different documents. PDF/A and PDF/X solve completely different problems. Choosing the right PDF standard for your use case — printing, archiving, web distribution, accessibility compliance — determines compatibility, feature availability, and legal standing. The Version History | Version | Year | Key Features Introduced | |---|---|---| | PDF 1.0 | 1993 | Basic format (Adobe Acrobat 1.0) | | PDF 1.1 | 1994 | Encryption, threading | | PDF 1.2 | 1996 | Forms (AcroForms), interactive features | | PDF 1.3 | 1999 | Digital signatures, better color | | PDF 1.4 | 2001 | Transparency, JBIG2 compression, 128-bit…
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