How to Save Default Print Settings in Acrobat Standard DC
Question details
The user is looking for a way to permanently save their preferred print configuration so they don't have to manually adjust orientation and page scaling every time they print.
- Product
- Acrobat Standard DC, OneNote 2016
- Device & OS
- Windows 7
- Scenario
- Printing a PDF document to the 'Send to OneNote 2016' virtual printer and trying to maintain specific page settings for future jobs.
- Observed behavior
- Acrobat Standard DC does not retain the user's preferred landscape orientation and page-fitting settings across print jobs.
Verify whether your printer driver or virtual printer (like 'Send to OneNote') is overriding Acrobat's settings, and ensure your Windows printer drivers are fully up to date.
Set Default Print Preferences in Windows OS
Since Acrobat often pulls print defaults directly from the operating system, modifying the printer properties in Windows is the most reliable way to make print settings stick.
Acrobat Standard DC relies heavily on the system's default printer settings. When printing to a virtual printer like OneNote 2016, modifying the printer preferences directly in the Windows Control Panel ensures that the desired orientation and page-fitting parameters are permanently retained.
Click the Windows Start menu, type 'Devices and Printers' (or 'Printers & scanners'), and hit Enter to open the system printer settings.
Locate the 'Send to OneNote 2016' printer icon. Right-click on it and select 'Printing preferences' from the context menu.
In the Layout tab, change the Orientation from Portrait to Landscape, and adjust any scaling or page-fitting options as needed.
Click 'Apply' and then 'OK' to save these preferences. The next time you open the print dialog in Acrobat Standard DC, these settings will be set as the default.
Configure Print Dialog Presets in the PDF Properties
If you only need specific print settings to be remembered for a particular PDF file, you can embed print dialog presets directly into the document.
Print and Manage PDFs Seamlessly with WPS Office
If you are frustrated with Acrobat failing to remember your print settings, consider switching to WPS Office. WPS PDF offers a highly intuitive printing interface that seamlessly integrates with virtual printers like OneNote while retaining your preferred layout, scaling, and orientation settings.
- 1. Download and Install WPS Office: Get the free WPS Office suite from the official website and follow the simple on-screen installation instructions.
- 2. Open Your PDF File: Launch WPS PDF and drag-and-drop your document, or click 'Open' to load your PDF.
- 3. Access Print Settings: Click the Print icon on the top toolbar or press Ctrl+P to launch the streamlined print dialog.
- 4. Configure and Print: Select 'Send to OneNote' as your printer, adjust your page sizing and orientation, and click 'Print'. WPS PDF will easily handle your requested configuration.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do my PDF print settings keep resetting to portrait?
This usually happens because the PDF software defers to your computer's default printer driver settings upon opening the print dialog. To permanently change this, you must adjust the printing preferences for the specific printer in your Windows 'Devices and Printers' control panel.
Does Acrobat save print settings per document or globally?
Acrobat does not natively save global print dialog settings for all future sessions on its own. It relies on the OS printer defaults. However, you can save specific print scaling preferences per document by modifying the 'Print Dialog Presets' under File > Properties > Advanced.
Can I set 'Fit to Page' as a default in Acrobat DC?
While the application usually defaults to 'Shrink oversized pages', you can ensure a specific document always defaults to this by going to File > Properties, selecting the Advanced tab, and changing the Page Scaling preset in the Print Dialog Presets section.
Why does sending a PDF to OneNote change its formatting?
When using 'Send to OneNote', it acts as a virtual printer. If the virtual printer's page size or default orientation differs from your PDF's dimensions, it may result in unwanted cropping or rotation. Matching the virtual printer's layout settings to your PDF fixes this issue.
