Fix Text Disappearing When Printing or Emailing PDFs in Acrobat DC
Question details
Users experience an issue where text added to a PDF document disappears when the file is either printed or sent via email to another person.
- Product
- Adobe Acrobat DC
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Printing a PDF document or sending the document to a recipient via email.
- Observed behavior
- Text and visual elements added to the PDF vanish or fail to render on the physical printout or when the recipient opens the emailed file.
Before troubleshooting, try opening and printing a different PDF file to determine if the issue is specific to one corrupted document or if it affects all PDFs on your system.
Print the PDF as an Image
Printing the document as an image bypasses Acrobat's font rendering and processing issues by sending the file to the printer as a single, flattened picture.
This is the most effective and immediate workaround for text rendering failures. It ensures that whatever is visible on your screen is exactly what gets sent to the printer's spooler.
Open your document in Adobe Acrobat DC, click on the 'File' menu in the top left corner, and select 'Print'.
In the Print dialog box, locate and click the 'Advanced' button near the top right of the window.
Check the box next to 'Print as Image'. You can also adjust the resolution settings here if needed.
Click 'OK' to close the Advanced settings window, and then click 'Print' to print your document.
Update Adobe Acrobat DC
Installing the latest software updates can fix known bugs related to document rendering, missing text, or printer compatibility.
Update or Reinstall Printer Drivers
Corrupted or outdated printer drivers can fail to process certain PDF text layers correctly, leading to blank printouts.
Read, Edit, and Print PDFs Flawlessly with WPS PDF
If you are experiencing persistent text rendering and missing content issues with Adobe Acrobat, WPS Office provides a lightweight, highly compatible PDF solution. Easily open, edit, and print your PDFs without losing any content.
- 1. Install WPS Office: Download and install the free version of WPS Office on your computer.
- 2. Open Your PDF: Launch WPS Office and click 'Open' to select and load the problematic PDF document.
- 3. Verify Content: Ensure all text and annotations are visible on your screen.
- 4. Print the Document: Click the 'Print' icon or press Ctrl+P, select your printer, and click 'Print' to get an accurate physical copy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does the added text only disappear when I email the PDF?
Text added via form fields or comments might not be fully embedded into the document's base layer. If the recipient uses a different PDF viewer or an older version of Acrobat, it might not support these interactive elements. Flattening the PDF before sending usually resolves this.
How can I flatten a PDF to ensure text doesn't disappear?
You can flatten a PDF by using the 'Print to PDF' feature. Select 'File' > 'Print', choose 'Microsoft Print to PDF' or 'Adobe PDF' as your printer, and save the newly generated file. This permanently embeds all text and annotations into the document.
How can I find out if the printing issue is file-specific?
Try opening and printing a completely different PDF file. If the second file prints correctly with all text intact, the issue is likely isolated to the original document, which may need to be repaired or recreated.
