Fix Adobe Acrobat Printing Legal-Size Pages Incorrectly
Question details
Multiple legal-size PDF pages print too low on the second and later sheets, causing the bottom of the document to be cut off.
- Product
- Adobe Acrobat
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Printing a multi-page legal-size PDF document after a recent software update.
- Observed behavior
- The first page may print normally, but subsequent legal-size pages print too low on the sheet, resulting in the bottom portion of the document being cut off.
Ensure your printer is physically loaded with legal-size paper (8.5 x 14 inches) and that the printer's hardware paper guides are properly adjusted to fit the sheets snugly.
Adjust Acrobat Print Scaling and Size Settings
Incorrect page scaling and sizing options in the print dialog often cause documents to shift downward or get cut off on secondary pages.
By default, PDF readers may attempt to shrink or fit pages based on the default printer settings (which is often Letter size). Manually overriding these settings ensures the software respects the legal-size dimensions.
Open your document in Adobe Acrobat and press Ctrl+P (Windows) or Cmd+P (Mac) to open the Print dialog box.
Under the 'Page Sizing & Handling' section, select 'Actual Size'. Ensure that options like 'Fit', 'Shrink oversized pages', or 'Poster' are completely unchecked.
Check the box next to 'Choose paper source by PDF page size'. This forces the printer to pull from the tray containing legal-size paper based on the document's metadata.
Under the 'Orientation' section, select 'Auto portrait/landscape'. Click the 'Print' button to test if the pages align correctly.
Print the Document as an Image
If a recent Adobe update corrupted how text and layout data are sent to the printer, printing as an image bypasses these rendering issues.
Print Legal-Size PDFs Flawlessly with WPS Office
If third-party PDF reader updates are causing persistent layout issues, try printing your legal-size documents with WPS PDF. It provides precise page scaling, complete control over your print jobs, and a highly stable environment.
- 1. Install WPS Office: Download and install the free version of WPS Office from the official website.
- 2. Open Your PDF: Right-click your legal-size PDF file, select 'Open with', and choose WPS Office.
- 3. Access Print Settings: Click the Print icon on the top toolbar or press Ctrl+P to open the WPS Print dialog.
- 4. Configure for Legal Size: Select 'Actual Size' under Page Sizing and click 'Properties' to ensure your printer is set to Legal paper.
- 5. Print the Document: Click the 'Print' button to output perfectly aligned pages without cutoff issues.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the bottom of my PDF being cut off when printing?
This usually happens when the printer's default paper size is set to Letter (8.5 x 11 inches) while the document is formatted for Legal (8.5 x 14 inches). The printer cuts off the bottom 3 inches because it assumes the paper has ended. Incorrect scaling options like 'Fit to page' can also cause shifting.
How do I force my printer to use legal-size paper?
In your print dialog box, click on 'Properties' or 'Preferences' next to your selected printer. Navigate to the 'Paper/Quality' or 'Layout' tab, and change the Paper Size setting to Legal. Also, ensure the document software is set to pull by PDF page size.
Can outdated printer drivers cause PDF printing issues?
Yes. Driver incompatibilities, especially after updating your PDF software or operating system, can cause the printer to misinterpret page boundaries and margins. Reinstalling or updating to the latest manufacturer driver often resolves positioning issues.
