TechNote (Archived)

PDF files are slow to print to certain PCL printers (Acrobat 7 on Windows)

Issue

When you print PDF files, it takes a long time for the file to be spooled to the printer.

Details

You are printing from Adobe Acrobat 7.x using a PCL printer driver.

Solutions

Do one or more of the following solutions:

Solution 1: Print the file using a PostScript printer driver.

If your printer supports PostScript printing, then install the PostScript printer driver provided by the printer manufacturer and print using this driver.

Solution 2: Print using Print as Image option in Advanced Print setup.

1. Choose File > Print, and then click Advanced.

2. Select Print As Image.

3. Click OK to close the Advanced Print Setup dialog box, and then click OK again.

Solution 3: Change the Print Optimizations setting to "Disabled".

1. Choose Start > Settings > Printers.

2. Right-click the printer you are using and choose Properties.

3. Click the Printing Preferences button.

4. Click the Advanced tab.

5. Under Document Options, choose Disabled next to Print Optimizations, and then click OK.

6. Click OK to close the printer properties window.

Background information

Acrobat uses different printing routines based on the type of printer driver your system uses. When you use the PCL printer driver, the spool file sent to the printer is larger than it should be. When you print using the PostScript printer, you will not encounter this problem.