Fix Colored Border Disappearing When Printing to PDF in Acrobat
Question details
The user needs to resolve an issue where a colored border is visible in the application's print preview but completely disappears in the final output when printing to PDF.
- Product
- Adobe Acrobat Pro XI
- Device & OS
- Windows 7
- Scenario
- Printing a file with a colored border to a PDF document using the Adobe PDF PostScript printer.
- Observed behavior
- The colored border is missing in the generated PDF file despite appearing correctly in the source application's print preview.
Verify whether your application is printing via your operating system's default PDF printer or the Adobe PDF printer, as their default margin and printable area settings differ significantly.
Define a Custom Page Size in Adobe PDF Printer
Adding a non-printable margin to a custom page size prevents the source application from pushing the border outside the visible PDF boundaries.
The Adobe PDF PostScript printer driver defines standard paper sizes (like Letter) with zero non-printable borders, meaning the printable area equals the physical page size.
Applications sometimes query the driver for printable areas and overcompensate for these unusual settings by placing content outside normal page boundaries. Defining a custom page size with standard non-printable margins mimics physical printers and forces the border to render correctly.
Open the 'Devices and Printers' panel from your Windows Start menu.
Right-click on the 'Adobe PDF' printer icon and select 'Printing preferences' from the context menu.
Navigate to the 'Adobe PDF Page Size' setting and click the 'Add' button to create a new custom paper profile.
Specify your required page dimensions (e.g., 8.5 x 11 inches) and configure a standard non-printable margin of up to 0.25 inches around all page borders.
Save the new custom page size, select it as your default paper size in the application's print dialog, and print to PDF again to verify the border appears.
Switch to the System PDF Printer
Using the operating system's built-in PDF creator can bypass driver-specific margin conflicts caused by third-party PDF printers.
Print and Convert to PDF Without Losing Formatting in WPS Office
WPS Office includes a robust built-in PDF printer and converter that maintains your original layout, borders, and margins flawlessly. Create, edit, and print PDFs with precise control over page sizes without dealing with complex printer driver conflicts.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Install WPS Office for free and open your document using WPS Writer, Presentation, or Spreadsheets.
- 2. Open the Print Dialog: Navigate to the 'Menu' in the top-left corner and click on 'Print' (or press Ctrl+P).
- 3. Select WPS PDF Printer: From the list of available printers, select 'WPS PDF' as your target printer.
- 4. Verify Margins and Layout: Click on 'Properties' to ensure your page size and margin settings match your desired output, checking the built-in preview to confirm the borders are visible.
- 5. Generate PDF: Click 'Print' to instantly generate and save a perfect PDF with all graphical elements and colored borders intact.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do design elements disappear when I print a document to PDF?
Elements like borders can disappear if the PDF printer driver defines the page with a zero non-printable margin. The source application may misinterpret this setting and push the content outside the visible boundaries of the generated PDF canvas.
What is the difference between Adobe PDF and system PDF printing?
The Adobe PDF printer utilizes a PostScript driver specifically configured for Acrobat, which typically defaults to zero non-printable borders. In contrast, operating system PDF printers often mimic physical printers by enforcing standard 0.25-inch non-printable margins.
Can I recover the missing borders on a PDF that is already generated?
No. If the border was excluded or pushed out of bounds during the PDF creation process, that data is not saved in the file. You must adjust your printer's margin settings and reprint the original document to restore the missing border.
