PDF Printing Issues

How to Fix Gray Text When Printing from Adobe Fill & Sign on iPad

Jason Miller Oct 23, 2026 869 views

Question details

Users need to resolve a printing discrepancy where text input into a PDF form prints out faintly or in gray despite looking perfectly black on the device screen.

How to Fix Gray Text When Printing from Adobe Fill & Sign on iPad

Product: Adobe Fill & Sign
Device & OS: iPadOS
Scenario: Printing a filled-out PDF document directly from an iPad to a connected printer.
Observed behavior: The text entered in the app appears correct and black on the iPad screen but prints in gray on paper.

Before you start

Ensure your iPad is connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your printer, and verify that the printer has sufficient black ink or toner before modifying application settings.

Solution 1Recommended

Check App Updates and Printer Quality Settings

Since Adobe Fill & Sign defaults to black text natively, resolving gray prints usually requires checking for app glitches and adjusting hardware print settings.

Adobe Fill & Sign does not provide a setting to manually change the text entry color. It defaults to black. If the text appears black on your screen but prints gray, the issue is typically caused by outdated software or printer utility configurations overriding the output.

Update the Application

Open the App Store on your iPad, search for Adobe Fill & Sign, and tap 'Update' to ensure you have the latest bug fixes installed.

Verify On-Screen Display

Open the filled PDF document in the app and visually confirm that the text is rendering as solid black before initiating the print job.

Adjust iOS Print Options

Tap the Share icon, select 'Print', and review the print dialogue. Look for any 'Grayscale' or 'Draft Mode' toggles and turn them off to ensure full ink density is used.

Check Printer Hardware Settings

Use your printer's dedicated mobile app (like HP Smart or Epson iPrint) to check the black ink cartridge levels and run a printhead cleaning cycle if necessary.

No Built-in Color Settings: Do not look for a text color adjustment tool within Adobe Fill & Sign, as the app is programmed to exclusively use black ink for standard forms.

Solution 2

Flatten the PDF and Print via Another App

If Adobe Fill & Sign continues to send gray text data to your printer, saving the file as a flattened PDF and printing it from an alternative viewer can bypass the rendering bug.

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Fill and Print PDFs Seamlessly with WPS Office

Avoid printing glitches and faint text by using WPS Office. Our comprehensive PDF tools allow you to effortlessly fill out forms, add crisp black text, and print with perfect clarity straight from your iPad or desktop.

1. Open your PDF in WPS Office: Launch the WPS Office app on your device and open the PDF form you need to fill out.
2. Fill out the Form Data: Use the 'Fill & Sign' or 'Text Box' tools to input your information clearly in solid black text.
3. Access Print Settings: Tap 'Tools' or the 'Share' icon, select 'Print', and configure your document for high-quality printing.
4. Print the Final Document: Send the document to your connected printer to receive a crisp, black-and-white hard copy.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change the text color to black in Adobe Fill & Sign?

Adobe Fill & Sign natively uses black text for all form entries and signatures. It does not provide a built-in setting to customize or change the font color manually.

Why does my printer only print gray text from my iPad?

This usually happens if your printer's black ink is low, the print heads require cleaning, or if the iPad print dialogue defaults to a 'Draft' or strict 'Grayscale' mode that reduces the ink density to save toner.

How do I ensure my PDF forms print with dark black text?

Ensure you are using a reliable PDF reader, disable 'Draft Mode' or 'Eco Mode' in your print settings, check that your black ink levels are sufficient, and set the print quality to 'Normal' or 'Best'.

PDF Troubleshooting