Fix Adobe PDF Custom Paper Size Won't Add or Modify in CorelDRAW
Question details
The user is unable to add or modify custom paper sizes when attempting to print documents to Adobe PDF from CorelDRAW.
- Product
- Adobe Acrobat Pro 2017
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Setting up custom page dimensions to print a document from CorelDRAW using the Adobe PDF virtual printer.
- Observed behavior
- The system allows existing custom sizes to be deleted, but new custom page sizes cannot be added or modified. Running a repair on Adobe Acrobat Pro 2017 did not fix the problem.
Ensure you are logged into your computer with an administrator account, as modifying virtual printer drivers and system-level printing preferences requires elevated permissions.
Recreate Custom Page Size via Windows Printing Preferences
Bypassing the application's print dialog and accessing the Adobe PDF printer settings directly through Windows often resolves page size configuration glitches.
Sometimes, third-party software like CorelDRAW faces conflicts when trying to pass new parameters to the Adobe PDF driver. Creating the custom size natively in Windows ensures it becomes permanently available to all applications.
Press the Windows key, type 'Control Panel', and press Enter. Navigate to 'Hardware and Sound' and click on 'Devices and Printers'.
Locate the 'Adobe PDF' printer in your list of devices. Right-click the printer icon and select 'Printing Preferences' from the context menu.
Go to the 'Adobe PDF Settings' tab. Next to the 'Adobe PDF Page Size' dropdown menu, click the 'Add' button. Enter a name and the exact dimensions for your custom paper size, then click 'Add/Modify' to save it.
Relaunch CorelDRAW, open your print dialog, select the Adobe PDF printer, and you should now be able to select your newly created custom page size from the list.
Remove and Reinstall the Adobe PDF Printer Driver
If the virtual printer is corrupted, a standard software repair may not reset the driver configurations. Manually removing and reinstalling the printer will refresh its settings.
Discover WPS Office for Seamless Document and PDF Management
Struggling with complex virtual printer drivers just to export your work? WPS Office features built-in, lightweight PDF creation tools that don't rely on finicky system drivers. As a free Microsoft Office alternative, it helps you manage all your daily document needs seamlessly.
- 1. Download and Install WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website, download the free version, and follow the simple on-screen instructions to install it on your device.
- 2. Create or Open Your Document: Open your existing text files, spreadsheets, or presentations directly within WPS Office.
- 3. Export to PDF Natively: Go to the 'Menu' tab and select 'Export to PDF'. You can easily define custom page dimensions and output high-quality PDFs without using a virtual printer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why can't I modify existing custom paper sizes in the Adobe PDF printer?
Adobe Acrobat restricts the modification of certain default or actively in-use custom sizes to prevent document scaling errors. It is generally recommended to delete the unwanted size and add a completely new entry rather than trying to overwrite an existing one.
Why didn't repairing Acrobat Pro 2017 fix my PDF printer sizes?
The Acrobat Repair tool checks for missing program files but often leaves existing Windows printer registry keys intact. Manually removing the Adobe PDF printer from your Windows 'Printers & scanners' settings before running the repair tool forces the software to install a fresh, uncorrupted driver.
How do I ensure CorelDRAW is using the correct PDF driver?
In the CorelDRAW Print dialog, select 'Adobe PDF' from the printer dropdown list. Click the gear icon or 'Preferences' button next to the printer name to ensure the properties dialog that opens is specifically the Adobe PDF Settings menu, confirming the correct Acrobat driver is active.
