Printing PDF files created from Access reports

[Mark Hawkins]

I recently upgraded my Adobe Acrobat software to 6.0.
When I print PDF files that I create from Access reports,
the files become huge and take forever to print. This
didn't happen with 5.0. Any ideas on what is causing the
problem and how to fix it? Adobe tech support was of no
help. They said it must be a Microsoft problem.

 

[SA]

Mark:

1.) Keep in mind that with Acrobat 6, that you are now using what used to be
the Distiller Printer to create PDF files rather than PDFWriter. Distiller
files always were larger than those created with PDF writer because they
were more data robust.

2.) There are of course a few things to try:

a.) First look at the dpi setting for the Adobe PDF printer; normally
this is set to 1200-2400 dpi. PDFWriter by default output at 96 dpi by
default, which of course uses a lot less file space. You might try lowering
the dpi to 600 or so and see if you get acceptable output. There are times
where you have problems with thin lines at that lowered resolution.

b.) Use standard fonts in your reports like Arial and Times so that
Adobe can use its internal font substitutions rather than sub setting the
fonts in the PDF file.

c.) Adobe PDF printer uses as its default conversion settings conversion
options called "Standard", which are Acrobat 5 (PDF Version 1.4) compatible.
PDFWriter by comparison used PDF version 1.2 compatible documents. Unless
you need the more advanced features offered by the newer file formats, try
creating a new conversion settings by editing the "Standard" conversion and
settings its conversion compatibility to Acrobat 3, which will lower the
metadata overhead in the file.

d.) One of the other options in the conversion settings is to "optimize
for fast web view", which is set by default. What this does is to create a
fairly complex table internal to the PDF file to allow for what is called
linearization and byte serving of the pdf file on the web. (i.e. so that a
PDF file can be downloaded page at a time rather than as a full document.)
If you aren't going to post your files on a web site create a conversion
setting with this option unchecked. It will decrease file size.

e.) Of course you can also open the PDF file in Acrobat itself and use
the PDF Optimizer under the Advanced settings to eliminate garbage and
unwanted elements in the files generated.

HTH