What makes PDF/A different technically. Fonts must be embedded (the document opens in 20 years even if the typeface vanishes from systems), colors are described by an explicit ICC profile, and JavaScript, audio/video, encryption, and external dependencies are forbidden. Our tool converts via Ghostscript — the industry standard — and embeds an sRGB color profile as the OutputIntent, which strict validators require.
How to pick a version. PDF/A-2b is the recommended choice for most tasks: it is newer and supports transparency and JPEG2000. PDF/A-1b is the oldest and strictest edition; pick it only when the receiving system explicitly demands 'PDF/A-1' (transparency will be simplified during conversion — the standard itself requires that). PDF/A-3b differs in one thing: other files may be attached inside the PDF, e.g. an invoice XML for e-document workflows.
Features the standard forbids are converted or removed automatically; the layout does not change. For critical scenarios — state archive submission, a court with a picky clerk's office — we recommend additionally running the result through the receiving party's validator (e.g. the free veraPDF): platform requirements are sometimes stricter than the standard itself.