How to print PDF files.

I have come across a problem while trying to print pdf forms with Adobe Reader 7.0. Sometimes the form will print ok, but other times, instead of the form printing out, all I get is a bunch of gobbldygook--characters like squares and circles. Is there anything I can to correct this problem?

This question was answered on June 15, 2005. Much of the information contained herein may have changed since posting.

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Before you can troubleshoot the problem, you need to determine its cause therefore I will take you through a number of steps.

First print another PDF file, such as the first page of Acrobat Help:

*If that file prints correctly, the PDF file that doesn't print correctly may be damaged.

*If you have problems printing an individual PDF file, do one or more of the following, printing after each task:

A Print the PDF file as an image

Printing the PDF file as an image may enable the file to print, but it doesn't identify the source of the problem; proceed to identify the source

Note: When you print a PDF file as an image, it may take longer to print

To print a PDF file as an image:

1 Choose File > Print, and then click Advanced

2 Select Print As Image and any other desired printing options

3 Click OK to close the Advanced Print Setup dialog box, and then click OK

If the file continues to print incorrectly, print another type of file (for example, a .txt file) from another application (such as Microsoft Word or WordPad):

B Save the PDF file as a new file

Resave the document by choosing File > Save As, and giving the file a new name The Save As command causes Acrobat to rewrite the file

D Enable the PostScript error handler

If you print to a PostScript printer, enable the PostScript error handler for the printer (if the printer driver includes this option) The PostScript error handler prints a list of PostScript errors that occur when you print.

To enable the PostScript error handler:

1 Choose Start > Settings > Printers (Windows 2000) or Start > Printers and Faxes (Windows XP)

2 Right-click the printer, and then choose Properties from the menu

3 Click the General tab, click Printing Preferences, and then click Advanced

4 Expand the Document Options, and then expand the PostScript Options

5 Set Send PostScript Error Handler to Yes

E Exit from all other applications.

If the system resources are below 50%, exit from all applications but the Acrobat product You may need to restart Windows to update system resource information

To check the amount of available resources, right-click My Computer, choose Properties from the menu, and then click the Performance tab

F Re-create the PDF file by using a different method For example, use Acrobat Distiller or the Adobe PDF Printer

Download the PDF file again

If you downloaded the PDF file from the web, download it again--it may not have successfully downloaded the first time

G Print the PDF file in batches

Print the PDF file in batches to determine if a particular page, or object on a page, is causing the problem If you can identify a particular object on a page that won't print, remove or re-create the page or object

Adjust the transparency flattening

If a document contains transparent objects, Acrobat flattens it before printing it Flattening removes transparency information and converts images to a format the printer can interpret Adjust the transparency flattening to determine if transparency is causing the problem

H To adjust the transparency flattening:

1 Choose File > Print, and then click Advanced

2 Choose Transparency Flattening from the list on the left

3 Adjust the Raster/Vector Balance:

-- If you print to an inkjet printer, drag the Raster/Vector Balance slider to the lowest setting

-- If you print to a PostScript printer, drag the Raster/Vector Balance slider to the highest setting

4 Select Convert All Text To Outlines

5 Deselect Clip Complex Regions, click OK, and then click Print

I Select the default print settings.

Print using the default settings to determine if a variant print setting is causing the problem

To select the default print settings:

1 Choose File > Print, and then click Advanced

2 Choose Acrobat Default (Acrobat 7.0) or Acrobat 6 Default (Acrobat 6.0) or from the Settings menu, and then click OK

3 Click OK to close the dialog box, and then click Print

GOOD LUCK!

About the author

Posted by Kisha of Katharine Gibbs School - New York on June 15, 2005

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