# How do I print PDF files? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [April 21, 2003, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-print-pdf-files/170145 "2003-04-21T22:03:52Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![x-ray\_vision](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/x-ray_vision/32/351_2.png) [@x-ray\_vision](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/x-ray_vision)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2003, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-print-pdf-files/170145/1 "2003-04-21T22:03:52Z")
I tried Googling to get information on how to print PDF files. Apparently you can’t print PDF files by using your browser’s print command, you must use Acrobat reader’s print button. But the file I’m trying to print doesn’t have an icon around it anywhere with print as an option. Does anyone know how I can get this file printed? ---
**Author:** ![handy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b5a626/32.png) [@handy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/handy)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2003, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-print-pdf-files/170145/2 "2003-04-21T22:09:46Z")
Maybe they don’t allow printing of it…Did you try using the text selection tool on acrobat & copy to like Word & see if you can do that then you can print from Word. ---
**Author:** ![1000monkeys](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/1/7cd45c/32.png) [@1000monkeys](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/1000monkeys)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2003, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-print-pdf-files/170145/3 "2003-04-21T22:14:15Z")
short answer: you don’t not entirely sure why as I am no software expert, but I do deal with pdf files a lot, and basically the program is set up to allow documents to be viewed as intended in their native format, but was not created with the ability to edit or print those documents. If that were the case you’d have Photoshop on your hands, and Adobe would be out $500. ---
**Author:** ![x-ray\_vision](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/x-ray_vision/32/351_2.png) [@x-ray\_vision](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/x-ray_vision)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2003, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-print-pdf-files/170145/4 "2003-04-21T22:22:22Z")
\*\*Handy[/], the web site I got the file from does allow printing of it. It’s a form to be filled out. I’m not computer savvy enough to try what you recomended. **Pfbob** , Adobe Acrobat’s web-site claims that even it’s free versions of it’s reader allow printing. Also, I doubt the web site the file is on would have the form available in PDF format if printing wasn’t possible. ---
**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2003, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-print-pdf-files/170145/5 "2003-04-21T22:24:47Z")
Have you tried saving the file to disk and then right-clicking on it and selecting “Print” from the pop-up menu? ---
**Author:** ![x-ray\_vision](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/x-ray_vision/32/351_2.png) [@x-ray\_vision](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/x-ray_vision)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2003, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-print-pdf-files/170145/6 "2003-04-21T22:27:43Z")
Have no idea how to do that **KneadToKnow**. ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2003, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-print-pdf-files/170145/7 "2003-04-21T22:35:16Z")
Instead of clicking on the link, right click, and select “Save target as.” However, if it won’t print online, it isn’t likely to print once you download A method of getting the text (though not the graphics nor the formatting) is to open the file in Acrobat, press CTRL/A to select all, and then press CTRL/Insert. Then go to Word and paste. You can then print the ASCII text. Though there may be a way to disable this. ---
**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2003, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-print-pdf-files/170145/8 "2003-04-21T22:46:14Z")
Okay, then. Let’s start more basic. When opening a PDF file in the browser, you should get a separate toolbar between the main part of the window and the other IE toolbars. Are you sure that toolbar isn’t there? It has tools like the next/previous page buttons, the zoom tool, etc. The first two buttons on this toolbar are save (a floppy disc icon) and print (a printer icon). If you are not seeing this toolbar, I would consider re-installing Acrobat Reader. ---
**Author:** ![x-ray\_vision](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/x-ray_vision/32/351_2.png) [@x-ray\_vision](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/x-ray_vision)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2003, 10:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-print-pdf-files/170145/9 "2003-04-21T22:53:59Z")
Let me show you the form: [here](http://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/drugreg/reg_apps/224/224_blank.htm) As you can see, they’re very picky about the way the form gets printed. When I select “Print as image” it prints, but not in a format they will accept. When I leave that selection unselected, I get a bunch of small rectangles being printed. ---
**Author:** ![x-ray\_vision](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/x-ray_vision/32/351_2.png) [@x-ray\_vision](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/x-ray_vision)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2003, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-print-pdf-files/170145/10 "2003-04-21T23:00:47Z")
**KneadToKnow** ,When I click on Adobe Acrobat reader from my start button I get the icons you mention, but not when clicking on the link for the form I need. ---
**Author:** ![Headcoat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/6bbea6/32.png) [@Headcoat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Headcoat)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2003, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-print-pdf-files/170145/11 "2003-04-21T23:10:13Z")
You musn’t click directly on the link to the PDF file. You have to right click\>save as, and save to your hard drive. And then open it through Acrobat Reader, instead of the web browser. ---
**Author:** ![black\_rabbit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/f19dbf/32.png) [@black\_rabbit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/black_rabbit)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2003, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-print-pdf-files/170145/12 "2003-04-21T23:21:28Z")
PDF forms are eeeeevil. I recently filled one out for a job application, and whatever numbnuts made the think made the text in about a third of the input boxes about 4pt. Really. It’d be less ugly just to use a regular html form. Bleh. * * * Sorry if this is a double post, but the hamster was famished and I think he ate my post. ---
**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2003, 11:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-print-pdf-files/170145/13 "2003-04-21T23:23:46Z")
When I click on that link, I get the toolbar as described above. My suspicion that something is amiss with your Acrobat Reader installation continues. Try this: If you see even the tiniest sliver of a gray line where the above-described toolbar _ought_ to be, right click in it and see if you get options like Adobe Online, Basic Tools, File, Navigation, View History, and Viewing. I’m willing to bet you do and that they’re all turned off, or at least the “File” option, which controls both the save tool and the print tool. I just turned mine off and they disappeared. If that doesn’t work, I second **Headcoat** ’s suggestion that you right-click on the link to the document, save to your hard drive and proceed from there. ---
**Author:** ![x-ray\_vision](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/x-ray_vision/32/351_2.png) [@x-ray\_vision](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/x-ray_vision)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2003, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-print-pdf-files/170145/14 "2003-04-21T23:28:42Z")
Thanks **Headcoat** , tried it but it didn’t work. It’s still printing nothing but a bunch of tiny rectangles. ---
**Author:** ![Headcoat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/6bbea6/32.png) [@Headcoat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Headcoat)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2003, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-print-pdf-files/170145/15 "2003-04-21T23:36:44Z")
Something must be wrong with your postscript rendering. Or maybe your printer is faulty? Acrobat PDF is supposed to be the very essence of what WYSIWYG technology offers. Or try this program: [http://www.ghostscript.com](http://www.ghostscript.com) You will need both Ghostscript (engine) and the GSview viewer. Its a tiny download, but very capable postscript viewer that lets you view, print and fix PDF, EPS and PS files. ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2003, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-print-pdf-files/170145/16 "2003-04-21T23:43:14Z")
Seems as though x-ray has turned off his/her Acrobat toolbar within IE. I tried it just now and it’s a PITA to get back. Here’s how you can do it tho: Open Acrobat and go to EDIT - PREFERENCES- GENERAL - OPTIONS and un-check “Display PDF In Browser” Now open IE and surf over to the page with the PDF link on it (the page you posted here) and left-click on the link (like normal, just like any link) IE should ask if you want to SAVE or OPEN. Choose OPEN. If it doesn’t ask, well just wait, it’s OPENing it. When Acrobat pops up you’ll have the menubar at the top for Acrobat, and it won’t be inside IE. Choose WINDOW - TOOLBARS and check all the toolbars you want to show. While you’re at it, print your form. If you want to show those toolbar options inside IE in the future (usually most people do, to each their own), close IE then do step 1 backwards to turn the “Display PDF in Browser” back on. You have to close IE and re-open it for this to work. Otherwise you won’t see the toolbars and you might be confused. Hope this works for you. If you have more questions, ask. ---
**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2003, 11:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-print-pdf-files/170145/17 "2003-04-21T23:46:32Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by x-ray vision \* > It’s still printing nothing but a bunch of tiny rectangles. I’m sorry, I seem to have completely misunderstood what the problem was. I thought you weren’t able to print it out _at all_, but it seems you have been able to print it but it has been coming out as garbage. Is that correct? If so, the only solution I’ve ever had that worked reliably was a reinstall of Acrobat Reader. ---
**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2003, 11:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-print-pdf-files/170145/18 "2003-04-21T23:48:44Z")
> [@](#): > > the program is set up to allow documents to be viewed as intended in their native format, but was not created with the ability to edit or print those documents Oh, and before I forget, this is 50% poppycock. If Acrobat Reader didn’t allow you to print documents, then why would the IRS use it as their software of choice for allowing the public to print out their tax forms? ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2003, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-print-pdf-files/170145/19 "2003-04-21T23:49:40Z")
Wow three posts went by as I made my post… Wanted to add that if you are having trouble printing (I did, with XP) try checking the “Print as Image” box on the print options screen before printing. (You will have to go to FILE - PRINT in the main menu, not just click the print icon) ---
**Author:** ![x-ray\_vision](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/x-ray_vision/32/351_2.png) [@x-ray\_vision](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/x-ray_vision)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2003, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-print-pdf-files/170145/20 "2003-04-21T23:59:37Z")
It works when I check the “Print as image” box, but the DEA will not accept the form when printed that way. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-print-pdf-files/170145.md?page=2)