How to Fix Dark Colors Printing Too Light in Adobe Acrobat
Question details
The user needs to fix an issue where black and dark colors in PDF documents print as faded, light shades instead of their true color.
- Product
- Adobe Acrobat
- Device & OS
- Windows 10
- Scenario
- Printing PDF documents from Adobe Acrobat after a recent Windows 10 OS upgrade.
- Observed behavior
- Dark colors and blacks print as light, faded shades when printing from Adobe Acrobat, despite other applications on the same computer printing colors correctly.
Ensure your printer has sufficient ink or toner before changing software settings. It is also helpful to print a test page directly from Windows to confirm the hardware is functioning correctly.
Update Adobe Acrobat to the Latest Version
Installing the latest patches often resolves color management bugs and compatibility issues introduced after a Windows 10 upgrade.
Software updates frequently include bug fixes for print spooling and color translation issues that occur after major operating system updates.
Launch the Adobe Acrobat application on your Windows 10 computer.
Click on 'Help' in the top menu bar to open the dropdown menu.
Select 'Check for Updates...' and wait for the application to communicate with Adobe's servers.
Follow the on-screen prompts to download and install any available updates. Once completed, restart Acrobat and try printing your document again.
Adjust Printer Color and Quality Settings
Disabling draft modes or color-saving features in the print dialog can force the printer to render true dark colors.
Update or Reinstall Printer Drivers
An outdated or corrupted printer driver can cause communication issues between Acrobat and the printer after a Windows update.
Try WPS Office for Reliable PDF Printing
If you continue to experience color printing issues with your current PDF software, WPS Office provides a lightweight, highly compatible alternative. Its built-in PDF reader ensures accurate color rendering and seamless printing directly from your Windows 10 device, all without the need for expensive subscriptions.
- 1. Install WPS Office: Download and install WPS Office for free on your Windows PC.
- 2. Open Your PDF: Launch WPS PDF and open the document you wish to print.
- 3. Print the Document: Click the 'Print' icon or press Ctrl + P to open the print dialog.
- 4. Confirm Settings: Verify your color and quality settings, then click 'Print' to get accurate, high-quality results.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my PDF look fine on screen but print faded?
Screens use RGB color models and are backlit, making colors appear naturally vibrant. Printers use CMYK ink. If the printer settings are set to draft mode, or if the PDF color profile is not translating correctly through the software, the physical print will appear faded or light.
Can printing as an image fix the color issue in Acrobat?
Yes. In the Acrobat Print dialog, click the 'Advanced' button and check the box for 'Print As Image'. This bypasses the printer's standard color processing and forces it to replicate the exact pixels sent by the software, which often resolves faded color issues.
How do I force black and white printing to be truly dark?
In the Print dialog, check the box for 'Print in grayscale (black and white)'. Additionally, access your printer's 'Properties' to ensure that 'High Quality' is selected and any 'Save Ink' or 'Toner Saver' options are completely disabled.
