How to Fix Hieroglyphic Text When Printing PDFs on Mac
Question details
The user needs a solution for PDF documents that display correctly on screen but print out as scrambled or hieroglyphic characters.
- Product
- PDF Reader / Mac Print System
- Device & OS
- macOS Sierra
- Scenario
- Attempting to print bank statements or other PDF files using a Mac and an Epson XP printer.
- Observed behavior
- The document looks perfectly normal in Mac Preview, but the physical printout contains unreadable, hieroglyphic-like characters.
Verify that your Epson printer drivers are fully up to date for macOS Sierra and that there are no pending macOS system updates.
Print the PDF as an Image
Bypass font rendering and interpretation issues by sending the document to the printer as a flattened image.
When a PDF contains embedded fonts that the printer's software cannot interpret correctly, the text often prints as scrambled characters or 'hieroglyphics'. By printing the file as an image, you force the PDF reader to process the text visually, which avoids font translation errors between your Mac and the Epson printer.
Open your bank statement or PDF file in Adobe Acrobat Reader and go to 'File' > 'Print'.
In the print dialog window, click on the 'Advanced' button located near the top of the window.
Check the box labeled 'Print As Image'. If you don't see this option, check under 'Color Management' or specific printer properties depending on your app version.
Click 'OK' to close the advanced settings, then click 'Print' to send the document to your printer.
Change the PDF Viewer Application
Switching from Mac Preview to a dedicated PDF reader can resolve application-specific font rendering conflicts.
Print PDFs Flawlessly with WPS Office for Mac
WPS Office offers a powerful built-in PDF reader for Mac that ensures high fidelity between what you see on your screen and what prints on paper, effortlessly avoiding common macOS font rendering glitches.
- 1. Install WPS Office: Download and install WPS Office for Mac from the official website.
- 2. Open your PDF: Launch WPS Office and open your problematic bank statement or PDF file.
- 3. Access Print Settings: Click the 'Print' icon in the top toolbar or press Command + P.
- 4. Print the File: Select your printer, review the clean preview window, and click 'Print'.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do PDFs print as weird symbols on my Mac?
This happens when the printer's processor fails to recognize or correctly interpret the embedded fonts in the PDF document. The Mac's printing system replaces the unrecognized font data with scrambled, 'hieroglyphic' symbols.
Does this issue only affect Epson printers on macOS?
No. While this specific issue was noted on an Epson XP printer, font rendering conflicts can occur with HP, Canon, Brother, and other printer brands when printing PDFs on macOS Sierra and later versions.
How can I check if a font is properly embedded in my PDF?
Open the PDF in Adobe Acrobat Reader, go to 'File' > 'Properties', and click the 'Fonts' tab. If the fonts are listed as 'Embedded' or 'Embedded Subset', they should render correctly. If not, the file is more likely to cause printing errors.
Will printing as an image affect the print quality?
Printing as an image may slightly reduce the crispness of text compared to vector-based font rendering, but it effectively resolves scrambled character issues. Ensure you select a high DPI (resolution) setting in the print dialog for the best possible results.
