problems with printing pdfs

I am having this problem with printing PDFs, they are incomplete when printed but appear fine on the screen in all PDF readers( adobe and others) as well as Preview. The PDFs print with various errors and missing elements, generally the greatest problems are when PDFs are printed in color, black and white tends to give the most accurate printing. If there is a background the text that is to be printed over it is white( no color), filled in form elements might only have the underline portion print, BUT none of the text before or after the form space, not the filled in portion of the form. one form when printed in color only printed some of the colored highlighting, none of the rest of the entire document printed. I have changed the PDF print setting from document, document and markup, document and comments. in the advanced tab i have selected print as image, and simulate overprinting. the ONLY thing that will get a semi usable printed document is if the "lank and white selection is checked. Please Help. I have scoured the internet. FYI the same thing has happened from 4 separate devices (Imac, Iphone, Macbook, PC) and with 2 separate printers, and multiple documents. the printers were removed, drivers replaced/reloaded/reinstalled.

iMac Line (2012 and Later)

Posted on Feb 27, 2021 6:56 PM

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8 replies

Feb 27, 2021 9:13 PM in response to davehfromwa

What is the source of these pdf files? What release of macos? What are the exact printers? Where did you get the files? I had a problem awhile back printing pdf file from firefox.


Would point to a problem with some sort of common print driver issue. Do other type of files like word print ok? what if you export from word to pdf. Does this print ok?


Have pdf files printed ok in the past? What changed? Do you have any anti virus software installed? Get rid of it.


You could try printing this file. You could try print to file. I printed this pdf file just fine.

DOJ Guidance on ADA -- formating.pdf

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Y6ptRUhKa0PxXsETRYIDCItkcfEDXz-Z/view


Robert

Mar 1, 2021 3:56 PM in response to davehfromwa

Thanks. You wrote a good description.


Dollars to donuts, it's the anti-virus software. Apple includes all the anti-virus software you need with macOS ... and it's free.


Simple put,  Apple attempts to provide all the malware detection and removal you need in Mac OS X.


"Effective defenses against malware and other threats" by John Galt

Effective defenses against malware and ot… - Apple Community


Phony "tech support" / "ransomware" popups and web pages

Phony "tech support" / "ransomware" popup… - Apple Community


"Avoid phishing emails, fake 'virus' alerts, phony support calls, and other scams"

Recognize and avoid phishing messages, phony support calls, and other scams - Apple Support


"MalwareBytes Anti-Malware for Mac Removes adware and malware Revives your Mac."  MalwareBytes has a more restrictive filter for adware than Apple. MalwareBytes has come to be accepted as the only malware detector you should consider.  For those pestered by browser attacks consider MalwareBytes.

Mac Antivirus | Malwarebytes Antivirus for Mac | Malwarebytes


etrecheck

Run etrecheck.   The first five runs are free. Provided a report on your machines hardware and software.  Great for diagnosing your system.  Click on the download link at the bottom of the screen.

EtreCheck


Apple on Security:

Apple Platform Security - Apple Support

Mar 1, 2021 9:47 AM in response to rccharles

Robert, the PDF files come from several different sources, all government, I am printing to an Epson WF-7510 and a Canon g4000. I am not sure of any macros. Other types of files seem to print fine, doc and xls. I remember PDF files printing fine quite some time ago, but I could not tell you for how long I have had this PDF printing problem, I have just been working around it with screenshots and the like measures. Well, I am not sure what has changed. Yes, I do have antivirus software installed and no I won't be getting rid of it. too many threats out there to just open up my computer to them. I was suspecting some sort of common print driver issue, so I deleted the drivers, deleted the printers, changed printers, yet the problem persists. the thing is the printer settings come back to the previous settings after they are reinstalled. I think they are not actually being deleted.

Mar 1, 2021 2:20 PM in response to davehfromwa

Well, most AV Apps work fine for a bit, but most eventually fail.


I think there may be bits of Norton chaff hanging...


EtreCheck is a FREE simple little diagnostic tool to display the important details of your system configuration and allow you to copy that information to the Clipboard. It is meant to be used with Apple Support Communities to help people help you with your Mac. It will not display any personal info.

https://www.etrecheck.com/


Pastebin is a good place to paste the whole report if you capture the URL while there…

https://pastebin.com/

Whew, they've changed pastebin & made it harder, but after pasting in, click Create new paste button, then Embed button, then copy the URL...

<script src="https://pastebin.com/embed_js/KuvnghqA"></script>


The important part of the above is...


https://pastebin.com/embed_js/KuvnghqA


Workable but harder for me to work with...the Note tool on the bottom of this editor's toolbar, as shown in the image, to copy and paste the output from EtreCheck. In a Reply before you click post, look for this to add longer texts...

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problems with printing pdfs

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