Adobe X not printing correctly

PCLGuys,

I need a sample document, because I can print 100+ page PDFs without issue. Often the culprit is the PDF creator, people not embedding fonts properly, or using a 3rd party application to create the PDF (a non-Adobe PDF Creator). I've gotten virtually no information on these posts as to what application was used to create the PDF and what settings were used.

There are simply too many variables. I wish I could re-create the problem and fix it, but I don't have this issue.

For people trying to print Web Pages, if you own the full version of Acrobat, I would suggest trying File > Create PDF > From Web Page, then printing from Acrobat. Also try printing to the Adobe PDF Printer and letting me know if one method is more reliable than the other.

If you are creating the PDFs yourself, using the Adobe PDF Printer, right-click on the Adobe PDF Printer and de-select Rely On System Fonts Only; Do Not Use Document Fonts.

If you are using PDFMaker in Microsoft Office, I suggest you click on the Acrobat Ribbon Bar at the top, click Preferences and change the PDF Settings from Standard to High Quality Print. High Quality Print will include all fonts used in the document. Standard omits the Microsoft fonts, because everyone with office has them, but High Quality Print is safer if the file is leaving your system.

It looks like IE may be partially responsible as well. I use Chrome as my default browser also.

Subscribing.
Has this problem ever been solved?

It occurs randomly at my customer. Shifted characters not only in print but also on screen.

PDFs generated by PDF4NET.
Adobe Reader X, IE8, Windows XP SP3.

I can provide a sample pdf if needed.

FYI: I have found reports of this problem (or very similar) on the iText mailing list dating back all the way from February 2006: http://itext-general.2136553.n4.nabble.com/random-problem-with-PDF-s-shifting-character-set-in-printout-td2140713.php



PS: I would also like to rant about the difficult registration procedure on this website. It took me almost 30 minutes and 4 password resets before I got in. It is also Yet Another Login And Password That I Have To Remember But Probably Will Never Use Again. acrobatusers.com is built on Drupal, why not simply use one of the many identity services like Twitter, Facebook, Google, LiveID, OpenID,... This is really frustrating in 2011. [end of rant]

EDIT: I just submitted a bug report on https://www.adobe.com/cfusion/mmform/index.cfm?name=wishform with a link back to this forum post.

I am using Adobe Acrobat 8 Standard under Windows 7. Ever since I upgraded to a new computer, I have had the problem of strange characters on web pages using Ancestry when creating a PDF. All other applications works fine when creating a PDF.

I followed the suggestion to "uncheck use system fonts only" and at least for now, the problem is solved.

Thank you for everyone's involvement

Kelly,
I will pull down a PDF and send it. I will let you know what browser I used also. Most of the pdf's I try to print are off venders websites. I use CutePDF to produce a file. I will also try that out and see what happens. Kelly what pdf's did you print? Were they made by adobe?

PLCguys,

As I said, I did just print a handout of mine that is 110+ pages, from Adobe Reader 10, without issue.

We need to know what application created the PDFs, if the Fonts are Embedded, Embedded Subset or not included at all. Also, to know if the fonts are TrueType, PostScript or OpenType (TrueType or PostScript).

This is an issue not everyone is facing and I believe it is document specific.

PCL Guys,

Thank you! It helps a lot to hunt down the issue. I create my handouts in Adobe InDesign, but have files that originate in PowerPoint also.

"CutePDF" is not an Adobe solution, so that may be part of the problem.

As other users have stated Internet Explorer may be having an issue printing (Google Chrome does not seem to have this issue). Finally, changing the setting when creating PDFs (when using the Adobe PDF Printer) to Un-Check "Use system fonts only" in the Printing preferences helps.

Amedee,

I'm so sorry you had issues setting up an account and logging in. I will pass on your feedback.

I have also run across many issues related to creating PDFs from iText. Unfortunately, PDF4NET is also not an Adobe solution, so I'm not confident that all the fonts are being properly stored in the PDF.

Thank you for submitting the bug report. We really need this information from the users to solve problems.

Hi,
Kelly McCathran

Adobe Reader 10.1.1,printer Hp LaserJet 5100 PCL6
Windows 2003 Server SP2
Can't print correctly PDF file with "print as image".
Adobe Reader 7.0 do same correctly.

Also, try:
File > Print
Click Advanced
Select Print as Image
How to send pdf file(1 list) to you?

Thank you. The email confirmation is high latency, especially with greylisting and all other kinds of antispam measures that we have to live with today.

I'm a bit familiar with iText (and an acquaintance of it's lead developer Bruno Lowagie, so I may be biased) and I would say that most issues with iText PDFs are not due to iText itself, but due to a bad usage of iText.

I want to make sure that there is no misunderstanding. Are you implying that support will be limited because non-Adobe solutions were used? Or just that you don't know if these solutions work as they are supposed to?

I have tried to examine the documents with a tool like RUPS, but RUPS is far too complex for me, with my limited knowledge of the internal structure of a PDF file. I could also try to read all 756 pages of the complete PDF specification (ISO 32000-1:2008)...


Actually there are 2 PDF programs at work:
1. a Word-to-PDF parser that is an internal component of the Athena document management system. This is used when Word files are stored into Athena. I don't know what Athena uses internally.
2. Documents get a template stamp (preface page, some metadata) when they are retrieved from Athena, and this metadata stamping is done by PDF4NET.

The problem texts aren't in the metadata that PDF4NET added, but in the main text of the document. It only affects text with the default font size, bigger sizes don't seem to be affected.

Can I send a sample PDF + examples of the printout?

I also need your information because this issue can be looked at from two sides: the consumer (Adobe Reader) or the producer (Athena/PDF4NET) and I am only responsible for the consumer. I need specific information that I can tell the producing side, which is handled by another department. They are currently waiting for my feedback.

Amedee,

I haven't used PDF4Net or Athena, so I have no idea what method they use to create their PDFs or what specification (PDF 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, etc.). Adobe can not guarantee the reliability/printability of every 3rd party PDF creator. The stability of those files is up to the company that writes the freeware/shareware. You might want to check with Athena & the creators of PDF4Net, they probably have other users fighting the same thing.

Do you have a way to create the docs with File > Print to Adobe PDF Printer, or in Microsoft Office using the PDFMaker plug-in? Those are the only solutions I can help you with (also, for web pages I use File > Create PDF > From Web Page in Acrobat).

Sorry, I'm not familiar with iText, so I agree, the issues I'm reading may be due to how the PDFs were created from that application, or how the application is being used :)

bvv_256,

To send a file to me, login to Acrobat.com, upload the file, then post the URL link here.

KellyMcC,

Thanks for your answer. I'll let the other department know.

KellyMcC,

We are using reader X and are having the same problem. The documents are from the state and federal IRS websites. Same documents we were using before upgrading to version X printed just fine. Now we are seeing the first page print out fine and then the one character different issue when printing all other pages. We have downloaded the files to a local computer and are not using IE to print. Would you like me to upload one of the files as an example?

Thank you,

Hi, Printing from files opened while in internet exploer/chrome or even via gmail results in this garbled crap after a few pages.

The only way around it is to save the file to desktop then open it, then print. Thus, I think there has to be an issue with how adobe reader is interacting with the internet programs.

Please fix this. I cannot always download the pdf to the desktop to print.

Try this:

1) Launch Adobe Reader.

2) Go to Edit>Preferences3) Go to General options on the left side.

4) Uncheck "Enable protected mode at startup" and press OK.

5) Close Reader and re-launch.

I had the same problem and this fixed it for me.

Ok, so I'm now a Member....I have a question.

The situation;

Was away on leave but upon returning to work, temporary Graphic Designer installed all new Adobe CS5 package for the entire Suite which has included ADOBE ACROBAT X PRO. We get alot of Real Estate Contracts sent to us which are multiple page PDF files compiled by various people then sent to us, never had any issues opening and viewing let alone printing these PDF files with our earlier version of ACROBAT 9 PRO.

Now....with 'X PRO' (Version 10.1.1) it continually substitutes fonts on various pages of the file and sometimes just views as small boxes and will print the same way. When I run a Preflight it tells me that standard fonts like Arial or Times New Roman (which are installed on our system) are not embedded....... (HERE IS WHERE IT GETS INTERESTING)..... I open the same file on our other computer that is running an earlier version of ACROBAT (PRO 9) and it views without any issues and will print without any issues.

I have tried many and various settings and preferences in ACROBAT X PRO and nothing seems to work in recognising the fonts in the PDF file and resolving the issue, can anyone suggest a fix (if there is one) or is it simply as most have suggested in this particular forum, to re-install an earlier version of ACROBAT PRO????

It's becoming extremely frustrating. >:/

rseltzer,

It always helps to have links to documents, so that I can test. You can upload for free to Acrobat.com, then copy the URL into your post. Or, give me a direct link to a URL.

mmpskr,

You may be running into font conflicts. In my experience, no one has a great handle on their font library, unless they are a graphic designer. The fonts on each computer may be different versions, causing the substitutions (as there are many flavors of Windows, Microsoft Office and MANY, MANY versions of Arial and Times New Roman).

If you are creating these PDFs or can talk to the Author of the Document, can you ask them to build the PDF with the "High-Quality Print setting", not the "Standard" which is the default.


I've also been able to re-embed fonts in PDFs when they are missing, but this can be hit-or miss and takes a good knowledge of your font library and the Touch-up Text tool.

If you need instructions for switching the PDF settings, let me know.

Everyone, please, submit a bug report here if you are confident the PDF was created with an Adobe solution (Print to the Adobe PDF Printer or PDFMaker from Microsoft Office).

Feature Request/Bug Report Form
https://www.adobe.com/cfusion/mmform/index.cfm?name=wishform

By the way, I've only seen one reference to IE9 in this thread and they were able to resolve the issue. If you are printing from IE9, there is a known garbled text issue:
http://kb2.adobe.com/cps/896/cpsid_89623.php

This is the fix:

1. Open the Printers and Faxes (Windows XP), Printers (Windows Vista) or Devices and Printers (Windows 7) folder.
2. Right-click the Adobe PDF printer and choose 'Printing Preferences'.
3. On the Adobe PDF Settings tab, uncheck to option 'Rely on system fonts only; do not use document fonts.'

Hey KellyMcC,

I appreciate your help and knowledge.....however, yep, I am a Graphic Designer (so that box is ticked) but the problem has only existed on my computer since a new version of Adobe Acrobat Pro ('X version' as suggested in my previous message) was installed on my computer....same fonts as before so they haven't changed, yet these Contracts that my clients are supplying are now not opening and viewing correctly (only some pages) as they were before.

And unfortunately, I would love to be able to educate the client in preparing the PDF better, however it's out of their control as the Contracts are put together by various parties before it reaches us and is extremely difficult to know who to inform. Plus, the client would wonder why we have to change the way they supply them when before, we never had issues opening and printing their Contracts.....see our dilemma?

The main issue still remains though...that these Contracts have only become a problem since the new version of Adobe Acrobat Pro X has been installed.

Regards
Tom

KellyMcC, why the issues with fonts with version X? Like said above, documents that print correctly with earlier versions are now a problem. Do I have to go through all my documents and fix fonts or tell others you can only use certian fonts? There has to be a better solution. Again why the font issue with version X?

@pclguys,

No, the issues with fonts aren't related to Acrobat 10. It is a common crashing issue, rarely troubleshot, on all computers. You'd be shocked how often corrupt fonts lead to application crashes and printing issues. No one seems to ever check their font library for damage (unless they are graphic designers or prepress houses).

Once a damaged font causes a crash, more fonts in memory get damaged, starting progressively worse series of crashing. Re-installing applications often replaces the damaged fonts and people assume the application re-install fixed the problem, when it may have been a bad font all along.

The fonts I'm referring to are not specific to Acrobat 10, they are all installed Windows (or Mac fonts). Your font library.

Does that make sense?

Yes it does. Looking at it from our end, Adobe X is the only software with this issue. I do not have any other software doing this. If anyone can join in on this post. I am not a programmer and only use Adobe 9 to read pdf's and sometimes edit them or save docs as a pdf. Would love to hear from others about the corrupt font theory. I would think after reading your explaination, other versions would have issues also or other software using window fonts. uumm something to think about.

@plcguys,

Most of the people complaining about the font problem on this thread determined that it was a non-Adobe PDF creator, or an issue with the Browser they were using (a documented issue with IE9). The font description I gave above is something I've run into every few months (for the last 17 years) in many applications, not just Acrobat (I teach the full Creative Suite and other non-Adobe Graphic Design applications).

I realize you are a programmer and haven't used many other Adobe applications, besides Acrobat, maybe that is why you refuse to believe that fonts may be part of the issue? I would really appreciate it if you could at least check your library for damage, so we can continue to troubleshoot. I'd like to get to the bottom of this as much as you would. Assigning blame without research doesn't help anone. I'm not trying to blame your fonts, I simply want to eliminate them as a potential source of this problem, so that we can move on.

Have you submitted a bug report:
https://www.adobe.com/cfusion/mmform/index.cfm?name=wishform

Finally, did you ever send files to Dov to look at? He is GREAT at troubleshooting.

@plcguys,

I went back and re-read some of your posts. You mention you are using CutePDF, have you contacted them? Adobe has no way to control how 3rd party companies create their PDFs. This seems to be the core of your issue. The fact that it worked in 9 and not it 10 may be because 9 is older and CutePDF hasn't updated the PDF Specification settings that they are using to work with newer software.

I use cute pdf to create pdf's yes but when I open them they print fine. In my post it states it only happens if it is a large document. The first couple of pages print fine, and then after 4 or 5 pages, it all goes down the tubes. Garbled printed pages is what I end up with. It is consistantly with large documents I down load from the internet. I was using Firefox when that happened. What I can do is download another large file and try to print it out. If it turns to garble, I can send the document to you.

I would really appreciate that. Thanks for the added details. There are SO MANY PDFs out there that are created with non-Adobe PDF applications or with poor settings that this can be difficult to hunt down.

Hi, I am a member of a hospital IT department and just upgraded from Acrobat Reader 9.4 to Acrobat Reader 10.1.1 and have run into an issue with reports generated by our Health Information System (generated as a PostScript document with a Courier font). The pdf file prints correctly, but if you just view it on-screen, the font is crazy. For example, letters that have a flat top, i.e. E, B, R, T display at say font size 9, and any round letter, i.e. C, O, Q, S and the numbers 5 and 7 display at font size 11. It displays fine using Acrobat Standard 9.0

Is this something you can post and example of on Acrobat.com?

I can post a partial screen shot of what the view looks like. How do you post on Acrobat.com? Never mind, figured it out.

Ok,I posted the screen shot here:

https://acrobat.com/#d=RvOPHuOYLBWf-V1leN5L7w

Thanks for posting the sample. When you open the PDF in Acrobat or Reader and look under File > Properties > Description tab, what is listed as the application that created the PDF?

It looks like our vendor is using ESP Ghostscript 815.02 and is creating the pdf file to be compatible with Acrobat 4.x. I took a screen shot and posted it here: https://acrobat.com/#d=krqsdEHrCPDHxQ4UvHt9og

Based on feedback from this thread it would appear that many of these issues are related to the program that created the actual PDF. Many 3rd party creation tools do not properly write to the PDF specification (which is an ISO standard). Then, as each version of Acrobat and/or Reader is updated and improved, the creation issues are exposed and lead to display and printing issues. So first, I would check what program created the PDF. To do this look under the File > Properties > Description tab to check what application created the PDF file. If it is a 3rd party tool you can try the following workarounds:
1. Use Print as Image in the Print menu.
2. Install an earlier version of Acrobat/Reader, such as Reader 9, that prints your file properly.
3. Use the Preflight tool in Acrobat Pro. (if you own this version) to embed the fonts.
4. Try re-printing your PDF to the Adobe PDF printer. Personally, I don't recommend this workaround because all sorts of issues can crop up with when you do this. You'll lose all sorts of interactive features and information that may have been in the original file. However, it might work in a pinch.

Lori, because of a zero day exploit found in earlier versions of Adobe Reader, going back isn't an option. I tested this on other PC's in our organization and they, unfortunately for me, display properly on v 10.1.1. The issue appears to be on only a handful of systems, which suggests a hardware or video driver related issue as the problem lies in displaying the pdf only. Thank you for your help. I'll continue troubleshooting further into the issue.

Our problem may have been solved. I got a message from our developers that they are switching the PDF rendering engine on the server. The new PDF rendering is done by PDFCreator. Preliminary test results appear satisfying.

So it's safe to say that not all third-party PDF software are equal, and some are better than others.

Case closed for me.