How to Print Handwritten PDF Notes Made on a Samsung Galaxy Tab
Question details
The user needs to print a PDF document containing handwritten notes added via a stylus, which are currently being omitted by the printer.
- Product
- PDF Reader / Editor
- Device & OS
- Samsung Galaxy Tab S3 (Android) / PC
- Scenario
- Attempting to print a PDF document that has been annotated using an S Pen or stylus.
- Observed behavior
- Typed text and standard PDF content print normally, but handwritten S Pen annotations do not print, despite being visible on the device screen.
Verify that your handwritten notes were saved as standard PDF annotations and ensure the annotated file has been fully synced or transferred to the device you are printing from.
Enable Printing for Document and Markups
Adjust the print dialog settings in your PDF reader to ensure that annotations, drawings, and markups are included in the final print output.
By default, many PDF programs are configured to print only the underlying document text to save ink. Because handwritten notes are treated as a separate markup layer, you must explicitly tell the software to print these elements.
Open the PDF file containing your S Pen handwritten notes in your preferred PDF reader, such as Adobe Acrobat or WPS Office.
Click on 'File' in the top navigation menu and select 'Print', or press 'Ctrl + P' (Windows) / 'Cmd + P' (Mac) to open the print dialog.
Locate the 'Comments & Forms' or 'Print What' section within the print dialog. Click the dropdown menu and change the selection from 'Document' to 'Document and Markups'.
Check the print preview pane to verify that your handwritten annotations are now visible on the pages, then click the 'Print' button to begin printing.
Flatten the PDF Before Printing
Flattening the PDF merges the handwritten annotation layer with the main document content, forcing the printer to recognize the notes as standard text and images.
Print Annotated PDFs with WPS Office
WPS Office provides a highly capable PDF reader and editor that natively recognizes stylus annotations and S Pen handwritten notes, making it incredibly simple to view, manage, and print your marked-up documents without losing data.
- 1. Open PDF in WPS Office: Launch WPS Office and open the PDF file containing your tablet's handwritten notes.
- 2. Open the Print Menu: Click the 'Print' icon on the top toolbar or press 'Ctrl + P' to open the Print dialog.
- 3. Include Annotations: In the print settings window, locate the 'Print Content' dropdown menu and ensure 'Document and Annotations' is selected.
- 4. Print the Document: Verify your notes are visible in the preview thumbnail, choose your printer, and click 'Print'.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do my S Pen annotations show on the screen but not on paper?
By default, many PDF readers are configured to print only the core document text to conserve ink. Handwritten notes, highlights, and drawings are classified as an 'annotation' or 'markup' layer, which must be explicitly enabled in your software's print dialog settings before printing.
Does it matter which app I use on my Samsung Galaxy Tab to write notes?
Yes. Some proprietary note-taking applications (like early versions of Samsung Notes) save handwriting in non-standard formats that standard PDF readers on a PC cannot interpret as printable markups. Exporting your notes from the tablet app directly as a 'Flattened PDF' usually prevents this issue.
How do I flatten a PDF directly on my Android tablet?
You can flatten a PDF on Android by opening the annotated document in your PDF viewer, selecting the 'Print' option from the app menu, and choosing 'Save as PDF' instead of selecting a physical printer. The resulting file will merge the notes into the main document, making it ready for standard printing.
