How to Fix Acrobat Printing Errors in Keynote PDFs with Illustrator Images
Question details
The user needs to fix an issue where Adobe Acrobat fails to print or save PDFs exported from Apple Keynote.
- Product
- Adobe Acrobat, Apple Keynote
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Attempting to print or save a Keynote-exported PDF file using Adobe Acrobat.
- Observed behavior
- Acrobat displays error 135 and refuses to print or save the document due to Illustrator images pasted as PDF objects, despite the file printing correctly in other readers like Chrome and Preview.
Ensure you have access to the original Keynote presentation file, as the most reliable permanent fix requires replacing the embedded graphic objects.
Replace PDF-Based Images with Standard Formats in Keynote
Update the original Keynote presentation by replacing pasted Illustrator PDF objects with standard, flattened image formats like TIFF or PNG.
Pasting vectors directly from Illustrator into Keynote can create complex internal PDF structures that Adobe Acrobat struggles to process. Exporting these elements as standard images flattens the graphics, preventing Acrobat error 135.
Open your original vector graphics in Adobe Illustrator and export them as standard image files, such as TIFF or high-quality PNG.
Open your presentation in Apple Keynote, locate the slides containing the pasted Illustrator objects, and delete them.
Go to the 'Insert' menu in Keynote and add the newly exported TIFF or PNG images to your slides in place of the old objects.
Click 'File' > 'Export To' > 'PDF' to generate a fresh, flattened PDF document.
Open the newly exported PDF file in Adobe Acrobat and proceed to print or save it. The error 135 should no longer appear.
Print and Save as a New PDF via Google Chrome
Use Google Chrome's built-in PDF viewer as a quick workaround to bypass the Acrobat rendering error and generate a clean, printable PDF.
Print Complex PDFs Seamlessly with WPS Office
Bypass Adobe Acrobat rendering errors entirely. WPS Office includes a robust, built-in PDF reader that efficiently handles complex embedded graphics and vector objects, allowing you to view and print problematic files without unexpected failures.
- 1. Install WPS Office: Download and install the free WPS Office suite on your computer.
- 2. Open the PDF: Right-click your Keynote-exported PDF file, select 'Open with', and choose 'WPS Office'.
- 3. Access print settings: Click the 'Print' icon located on the top toolbar or use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+P (Cmd+P on Mac).
- 4. Select your printer: Choose your physical printer from the dropdown menu and adjust any necessary page layout settings.
- 5. Print the document: Click 'Print' to send the document to your printer effortlessly.
Frequently Asked Questions
What causes Acrobat error 135 when printing PDFs?
Error 135 in Adobe Acrobat typically occurs when the software encounters a structural anomaly or struggles to parse specific elements within the PDF. This frequently happens with complex vector objects or images that were copied directly from Adobe Illustrator and pasted into presentation applications like Keynote.
Why does the PDF print fine in Preview or Chrome but not in Acrobat?
Different software applications utilize distinct PDF rendering engines. Apple Preview and Google Chrome feature built-in viewers that may automatically correct, flatten, or ignore the specific code anomalies in pasted Illustrator objects that cause Adobe Acrobat's strict engine to fail.
Can I use PNG or JPEG instead of TIFF for my Keynote presentation?
Yes, exporting your Illustrator graphics as standard image formats like PNG or JPEG will completely resolve the printing issue. TIFF is generally recommended for professional print outputs to preserve high-quality, lossless image data, but PNG is perfectly adequate for standard presentations.
Will this issue occur if I create the presentation in Microsoft PowerPoint?
It is possible. Pasting raw vector objects directly from Illustrator into any presentation software—including PowerPoint—can create problematic layers in the final exported PDF. To ensure maximum compatibility, it is always safest to export your graphics as flattened image files before inserting them into your slides.
