How to Fix Missing or Ghost Lines When Printing an Illustrator PDF
Question details
Users experience missing lines or random ghost lines when printing a PDF created in Adobe Illustrator, despite the document appearing correctly on the screen.
- Product
- Adobe Illustrator / PDF
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Printing a PDF document that was originally exported from Adobe Illustrator.
- Observed behavior
- Lines disappear or unwanted random ghost lines appear on the physical printout, failing to match the accurate digital on-screen preview.
Ensure your printer is properly connected and functioning, and verify that you have access to the original Adobe Illustrator (.ai) file in case you need to re-export the document.
Re-save the PDF Using 'Save As Adobe PDF' with the Correct Preset
Using incorrect export settings or 'Print to PDF' instead of 'Save As' can corrupt vector line data and cause rendering issues.
The most common cause of missing or ghost lines in Illustrator PDFs is the method used to generate the file. Printing to a PostScript file or using third-party PDF printers can degrade complex vector paths. Always use Illustrator's native 'Save As' feature with an appropriate high-quality preset.
Launch Adobe Illustrator and open the original artwork (.ai) file.
Click on 'File' in the top menu bar, then select 'Save As...'.
In the 'Save as type' or 'Format' dropdown menu, select 'Adobe PDF' and click 'Save'.
In the Save Adobe PDF dialog box, choose a robust preset from the Adobe PDF Preset dropdown, such as 'High Quality Print' or 'PDF/X-4'.
Click 'Save PDF'. Open the newly created PDF in your PDF reader and print it to see if the lines render correctly.
Update Your Printer Drivers
Outdated or corrupted printer drivers may fail to interpret complex PDF line data correctly.
Print the PDF as an Image
Bypassing the printer's internal vector rendering by sending the document as a flattened image can quickly resolve ghosting or missing lines.
Print Complex PDFs Flawlessly with WPS PDF
WPS Office features a robust PDF tool that accurately renders complex vector graphics and lines, ensuring what you see on the screen is exactly what you print. It provides flexible printing options, including a seamless 'Print as Image' feature to bypass stubborn printer driver rendering issues.
- 1. Download and install: Download and install WPS Office from the official website.
- 2. Open your PDF: Launch WPS PDF and open the Illustrator-generated PDF that has printing issues.
- 3. Access print settings: Press Ctrl+P to open the comprehensive Print dialog.
- 4. Adjust print settings: Select your printer and check the 'Print as Image' option if ghost lines persist.
- 5. Print flawlessly: Click 'Print' to produce a perfect physical copy of your document.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do PDFs look fine on screen but print with missing lines?
Screens and printers use different rendering engines. While a digital PDF viewer translates vector data for screen display seamlessly, physical printers rely on specific drivers or PostScript interpreters to draw those lines. Complex Illustrator paths, overlapping objects, or improper transparency settings can overwhelm the printer driver, leading to missing or ghost lines.
Does using 'Print to PDF' cause ghost lines in Illustrator?
Yes. Using a 'Print to PDF' virtual printer or a PostScript workflow in Illustrator can degrade vector quality, flatten transparencies incorrectly, and cause rendering errors. It is highly recommended to use Illustrator's native 'File > Save As > Adobe PDF' function to preserve accurate line data.
What is a .joboptions file and how does it affect PDF printing?
A .joboptions file contains the specific preset settings used when exporting a PDF from Adobe applications. It controls elements like image compression, color conversion, and font embedding. Using an incorrect preset (such as 'Smallest File Size' instead of 'High Quality Print') can discard critical vector data, resulting in missing details when printed.
Can updating my PDF reader fix printing issues?
Yes. An outdated PDF reader might contain bugs in its print spooling or rendering process. Updating your PDF software, such as using the latest version of WPS PDF, ensures better compatibility with complex vector graphics and modern printer drivers.
