Applies to: Desktop Adobe Acrobat and Acrobat Reader on Windows and macOS. Print as Image availability and menu placement vary by version. Browser and mobile print dialogs may not provide this option.
Print one affected page and compare it with a different, known-good document. If only the PDF fails, try Advanced > Print as Image in Acrobat or Reader. Check text, graphics and scale on that single page before printing the rest; a successful workaround does not prove the original file is repaired.
First decide whether the problem follows the file
Save the PDF locally and open that copy in the desktop application. Print one affected page, then try a simple document that has printed correctly before. A failure across unrelated files is a reason to check the printer connection, queue and driver before changing the PDF.
Adobe also recommends testing another printer where available, updating Acrobat and obtaining drivers for the exact printer model from its manufacturer. Record which combination fails: file, application, printer and page. Change one item at a time so the comparison means something.
Use Print as Image for a limited comparison
Adobe documents this option as a way to bypass some processing of problematic fonts or images by sending an image of the page to the printer. Edges can look rougher, so it is a troubleshooting option with a quality tradeoff.
- Open the affected PDF in desktop Acrobat or Reader and open its Print dialog.
- Select just one page containing the missing text or graphic.
- Open Advanced, enable Print as Image, and confirm the advanced settings.
- Keep the same printer, paper size and scaling as the comparison print, then print the page.
The Advanced control may be in a different position in your version. Keep the original PDF; this print setting is not a file-repair operation.
Compare meaningful details, not just whether paper emerges
For a fictional workshop handout, imagine page 3 contains a heading, a small schedule table and a shaded diagram. On ordinary output, the heading is readable but the table loses several characters. Use that page for both print attempts and write “normal” and “image” on the backs after printing. This is a suggested comparison exercise, not a reported printer test.
Read the time entries character by character. Inspect the table borders and the diagram labels as well. A workaround that restores a heading but leaves a time unreadable has not produced an acceptable handout. Decide what must remain legible before comparing the samples.
| Feature | What to compare |
|---|---|
| Small text | Every character in times, quantities and short labels |
| Graphics | Diagram boundaries, thin lines and shaded areas |
| Completeness | The same heading, footer and page content in both copies |
| Dimensions | A known measurement when physical scale matters |
Interpret the result without guessing a cause
A change in output narrows the next step; it does not identify a specific damaged font or prove that the printer is defective. Use the observations below as a decision aid, then keep a short record of the settings that produced them.
| Observation | Next step |
|---|---|
| Normal output fails; image output is readable | Use the checked output if suitable, then investigate the file or normal print path |
| Both methods fail only on this PDF | Obtain a fresh copy or re-export from the editable source and compare again |
| Unrelated documents also fail | Check the printer and connection before more PDF conversions |
| Output is complete but too small | Check scale and paper size separately |
Keep the workaround proportional to the job
If your dialog exposes image resolution, compare a small sample before changing it for a long job. Increasing resolution may improve edge detail, but choose by the actual readable output rather than assuming the largest number is always necessary.
For a classroom handout, readable text and complete diagrams may be sufficient. A dimensioned template, barcode or professional print job needs its own acceptance check. Measure the template, test the barcode with its intended reader, or ask the print provider for their required file settings. Do not generalize from one successful office print.
Save the useful evidence and return to normal settings
Before printing all pages, sample another page with different content. Keep the original file and note the application version, printer model, affected page and successful settings. If you ask the document author for help, describe the missing element precisely and send only a copy you are allowed to share.
For the next unrelated job, inspect the print settings again and turn off the workaround unless you need it. If only review notes are absent, check annotation output first: a missing comment may be a selection issue rather than the same failure as missing document text.
Sources and further reading
Vendor instructions and background references are linked below. Worked examples are our explanatory calculations, not vendor performance claims. Check the instructions for your current software and device.
Report a correction with this page’s title and the step or result that needs attention.