How to Print Shapes and Comment Markups in PDF Documents
Question details
The user needs to print a PDF document that includes shapes and other comment annotations created with Adobe Acrobat or similar PDF tools.
- Product
- Adobe Acrobat / PDF Readers
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Printing a document that contains user-added comment annotations, text boxes, and shapes.
- Observed behavior
- By default, only the main document content is printed, omitting the shapes and markups added via comment tools.
Make sure your printer is properly connected and that you have saved any recent edits or markups to your PDF file before opening the print dialog.
Adjust Print Settings to Include Markups
Change your printing parameters to explicitly include comments and forms alongside the main document content.
PDF readers often default to printing only the original text and images to save ink. To print any overlaid elements like shapes, highlights, or typed comments, you must instruct the software to include these markups during the print job.
Press Ctrl+P on Windows (or Cmd+P on Mac), or navigate to File > Print in the top menu of your PDF reader.
Look for a section, dropdown menu, or configuration area labeled 'Comments & Forms' within the main print settings window.
Click the dropdown and choose the option 'Document and Markups'. This ensures that all annotations, shapes, and text boxes are included in the print spool.
Verify your preview displays the shapes correctly, then click the Print button to produce the physical copy.
Print PDFs with All Annotations Using WPS Office
WPS Office provides a robust, built-in PDF reader and editor that makes handling comments, markups, and complex print settings incredibly straightforward and efficient.
- 1. Open your PDF: Launch WPS Office and open the PDF document containing your shapes and markups.
- 2. Access Print Options: Click on 'Menu' in the top-left corner and select 'Print', or use the Ctrl+P shortcut.
- 3. Choose Print Content: In the Print dialog box, locate the 'Print Content' dropdown menu and select 'Document and markups'.
- 4. Start Printing: Check the print preview to ensure your shapes are visible, verify your printer selection, and click 'Print'.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are my PDF highlights and text boxes not printing?
This happens when the print settings are configured to print 'Document' only. You need to change the print content setting to 'Document and Markups' in your print dialog to include highlights, text boxes, and shapes.
Can I print only the comments without the PDF content?
Yes, many advanced PDF readers offer an option to print 'Form fields only' or generate a 'Comment Summary', which isolates the annotations from the main document text for easy review.
Does changing the print setting permanently alter my PDF?
No, selecting 'Document and Markups' only applies to the current print job. It does not modify the saved content, flatten the layers, or alter the default digital view of your PDF file.
What if 'Document and Markups' is selected but shapes still won't print?
Sometimes outdated printer drivers or software glitches cause rendering issues. Try printing the file as an image by checking the 'Print as Image' box in the 'Advanced' print settings, or update your PDF viewer to the latest version.
