Can't print out barcode through Macbook

Question

Level 1

8 points

Can't print out barcode through Macbook

I used to print everything with MacBook using wireless printer successfully. But I just find I cannot print my visa (a pdf) with a barcode, it changed to a red rectangle bar which is obviously failed, the situation also found in some Chinese characters, but this problem just happen some part of a pdf. Is there any solutions to fix the macOS (I usually open and print pdf files with Preview application), or there is any other methods to change some settings in my mac can solve this problem??

MacBook Pro (Retina, Mid 2012), macOS Sierra (10.12.1)

Posted on Dec 9, 2016 8:32 AM

Reply

Answer 1

Tom Gewecke

Level 10

122,252 points

Dec 9, 2016 8:55 AM in response to kingmetheus

kingmetheus wrote:

because I didn't generate any code, I just receive a pdf downloaded

Whoever did create the pdf may have used a slightly different method than before. Let us know if Adobe Reader does not work either.

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Answer 2

JimmyCMPIT

Level 7

29,306 points

Dec 9, 2016 8:36 AM in response to kingmetheus

A bar code is simply a graphic. If you are unable to print there maybe some restriction on the software you are using to get the code, embed the code or print it.

try another method, and if that works it's likely some 3rd party software.

http://online-barcode-generator.net

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Answer 3

Dec 9, 2016 8:44 AM in response to kingmetheus

This could be issue with the particular pdf, the printer driver, or (less likely) an actual bug.

Maybe the barcode is created with some particular font that has issues, like the Chinese characters you mentioned do suggest a font problem.

First, I'd validate the fonts with Font Book.

Also, to check if this is really a problem with barcodes in general, there are plenty of sample pdf files with barcodes available on the web. I just tried one and it worked just fine.

If all looks well, but still can't print, you could (uuurgh....) try adobe reader (which I have not had in my mac for years, hate it) and see if it works with that file (note: this does not use PDFKit, so if this problem is indeed a PDFKit bug it may be your workaround)

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Answer 4

kingmetheus Author

Level 1

8 points

Dec 9, 2016 8:50 AM in response to JimmyCMPIT

I wonder why I can see that barcode in preview, the build-in application to read pdf in Mac OS, and I can print that downloaded pdf with a barcode before, but I just cannot made it print now.

because I didn't generate any code, I just receive a pdf downloaded and print, then the problem happen....

btw, i just print those out with a window desktop, maybe I can have time to study the problem now

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Answer 5

kingmetheus Author

Level 1

8 points

Dec 9, 2016 8:55 AM in response to Luis Sequeira1

I think the problem do not related to the font since other Chinese characters are alright to be seen, just my name turned into a red rectangle bar.

maybe I try other prints with a barcode first.......let's see the problem comes from the immigration bureau or not, maybe they give me the problem that their visa (or pdf) are not printable through "preview".....I'll try adobe later...

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Answer 6

Tom Gewecke

Level 10

122,252 points

Dec 9, 2016 8:49 AM in response to kingmetheus

WWhenever preview messes up, the first thing to do is to try Adobe Reader, which is the standard for this format in the end.

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