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Color PDF documents print in black only

Forum Index > Printing & Prepress > Color PDF documents print in black only
2008-03-26 08:14:31
jtseiler
Registered: Mar 26 2008
Posts: 7

All of my color PDFs will only print in black when printing from Adobe Acrobat 8 Pro. If I print the same document(s) from Adobe Illustrator or Adobe Reader 8 then it does print them in color. What is wrong with my Adobe Acrobat and how do I fix this? It has printed in color before so I have no idea what happened to it. Nothing that I recall was changed other than me occasionally printing in black or monochrome and then back to color in efforts to save ink.

I am using Windows XP and a brother laser printer if that matters but the pdf's print in color on other applications like mentioned above. Thank you very much! J

My Product Information:
Acrobat Standard 8.1.2, Windows
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2008-03-27 10:22:24
#1
lkassuba
ExpertTeam
Registered: Jun 28 2007
Posts: 3636
Make sure that the "Print color as black" is not selected in the Print menu.

Lori Kassuba is an AUC Expert and Community Manager for AcrobatUsers.com.

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2008-03-27 10:34:56
#2
jtseiler
Registered: Mar 26 2008
Posts: 7
It is not. I have checked EVERYTHING that I can think of. When the print dialogue comes up, the "print as black" is not checked. Looking at the printer setup/properties, it is selected to print in color. I cannot think of anything that is letting acrobat print these documents in black while the other application I mentioned let them print in color. Is there a registry setting somewhere possibly that holds the value to print in black or color? something I have stuck in a bad "state"???? Thanks, J
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2008-03-27 14:05:55
#3
lkassuba
ExpertTeam
Registered: Jun 28 2007
Posts: 3636
Under the Advanced menu in the Print dialog, does the Settings pull-down say "Acrobat Default"?

Lori Kassuba is an AUC Expert and Community Manager for AcrobatUsers.com.

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2008-03-27 15:46:18
#4
jtseiler
Registered: Mar 26 2008
Posts: 7
Yes it does... I made screenshots but need to figure out how to upload and post here if you want to see them.
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2008-03-28 06:04:17
#5
Kirbybj
Registered: Mar 28 2008
Posts: 1
I am having the same problem. Acrobat Professional. No matter what I try to set I get black and white on my color printer. Very frustraiting. I did recently try to install Photoshop on a trial basis. Have not been able to uninstall and delete it. I am not sure if that had an impact.
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2008-03-31 06:11:18
#6
lkassuba
ExpertTeam
Registered: Jun 28 2007
Posts: 3636
Try these suggestions to see if it corrects any of the problems:

• Make sure you’re running the latest version of Acrobat 8.1.2
• Check you’re using the most up-to-date print drivers for your printer - go to the manufacturers web-site and download if necessary.
• Change the colour profile in your print setup. Go Print / Advanced / Colour Profile / (choose US Shetfeed Uncoated v2).
• Print the PDF as image format - Print / Image (at the top).

Lori Kassuba is an AUC Expert and Community Manager for AcrobatUsers.com.

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2008-04-01 07:44:31
#7
lkassuba
ExpertTeam
Registered: Jun 28 2007
Posts: 3636
Make sure you have the Color Profile in the Advanced Print Setup set to the default.
[img]http://www.acrobatusers.com/forums/images/posted/advancedmenu.gif[/img]

Lori Kassuba is an AUC Expert and Community Manager for AcrobatUsers.com.

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2008-04-01 16:44:07
#8
jtseiler
Registered: Mar 26 2008
Posts: 7
thank you... somehow the color profile was not postscript.. problem solved.
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2009-07-28 14:43:32
#9
Waveny
Registered: Jul 28 2009
Posts: 1
This thread was a godsend. Though, now set to US Shetfeed Uncoated v2, I don't seem to be getting the same vibrant colors. Any idea what I might have had it set to prior to my black & white fiasco?
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2009-10-18 09:36:46
#10
jtl301
Registered: Oct 18 2009
Posts: 1
I have the same color printing problem and is still unsolved.
Acrobat: Adobe Acrobat 8 Pro. (v 8.1.7)
Printer: HP Color LaserJet 2605dn
it used to work.

Please help.
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2010-04-29 20:46:15
#11
HawaiiIslandGuy
Registered: Apr 29 2010
Posts: 1
I have the same problem - all color in docs printed to "Adobe PDF" printer print black and white. All (Acrobat 8.2.2) settings are correct (not set for B & W or grayscale) and all data/page sources print same (screen captures, HTML docs, web screen prints, existing PDFs that contain color AND previously printed in color with no problem previously are ALL printing in B & W now. I am guessing its and Adobpe (auto) Update as no other onfiguration/software updates or changes have been made to my computer.
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