Fix Adobe Acrobat Printing PDF Files Very Slowly
Question details
The user is experiencing a significant delay when attempting to print PDF files using Adobe Acrobat, whereas other programs print the same files instantly.
- Product
- Adobe Acrobat
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Sending standard PDF documents to a printer from the Adobe Acrobat desktop application.
- Observed behavior
- Adobe Acrobat takes 30 to 45 seconds to process and start printing the PDF file, while browsers like Microsoft Edge print the exact same document without any delay.
Ensure your printer is properly connected to your network or computer, and check that no pending print jobs are stuck in the print queue causing a backlog.
Disable the 'Print as Image' Setting
Turning off the 'Print as Image' feature prevents Acrobat from rasterizing the entire document, significantly reducing processing time and print spool size.
When 'Print as Image' is enabled, Adobe Acrobat converts the entire PDF into a single large bitmap image before sending it to the printer. This drastically increases the file size in the print queue and causes severe delays, especially for networked printers.
Launch Adobe Acrobat, open your slow-printing PDF file, and click on 'File' > 'Print' (or press Ctrl + P).
In the Print dialog box, locate and click the 'Advanced' button near the top right of the window.
In the Advanced Print Setup dialog, find the 'Print As Image' checkbox. Ensure it is unchecked, then click 'OK' and attempt to print again.
Adjust Color Processing Settings
Offloading color management to the printer rather than the application can speed up the spooling process.
Verify Printer Driver and PostScript Support
Using the correct printer driver, especially a PostScript driver for complex PDFs, ensures optimal communication between Acrobat and your hardware.
Print PDFs Instantly with WPS Office
Bypass frustrating spooling delays and heavy rendering times. WPS Office includes a lightweight, built-in PDF reader that processes and prints documents instantly, serving as the perfect solution for slow print queues.
- 1. Download and Install WPS Office: Download the free WPS Office suite from the official website and install it on your computer.
- 2. Open Your PDF File: Launch WPS Office and drag and drop your PDF into the workspace to open it in the built-in PDF viewer.
- 3. Access Print Options: Click the 'Print' icon on the top toolbar or press Ctrl + P to bring up the streamlined print dialog.
- 4. Print Without Delay: Select your printer, confirm your page settings, and click 'Print' to send the job to the printer instantly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Microsoft Edge print PDFs faster than Adobe Acrobat?
Browsers like Microsoft Edge use lightweight, native rendering engines that prioritize speed over complex print fidelity. Acrobat, by contrast, often processes advanced color profiles, high-resolution rendering, and overprint previews, which can slow down the initial spooling process.
Why does the print job size become huge when printing PDFs?
This usually happens when the 'Print as Image' setting is enabled, or if the PDF contains numerous transparent layers and complex vector graphics. The software flattens the entire document into an uncompressed bitmap, which results in a massive file size entering the print queue.
Does a network printer connection affect PDF print speed?
Yes. If your PDF spool file is very large (e.g., hundreds of megabytes), sending it over a Wi-Fi or local network takes considerably longer than sending it via a direct USB connection. Optimizing the PDF or disabling 'Print as Image' reduces the payload sent over the network.
How can I check if my printer supports PostScript?
You can check this in your operating system's device settings. Go to 'Printers & Scanners', select your printer, and open 'Printer Properties'. Under the 'Advanced' or 'Device Settings' tab, look for references to 'PS' or 'PostScript'. Alternatively, check your printer manufacturer's official specifications.
