If your PDF is only printing part of the page, you are likely not alone — this is a common issue for small-business users and is almost always caused by an incorrect page sizing option inside Adobe Acrobat or Acrobat Reader’s print settings. Changing that one setting is typically all it takes to fix the problem.
Adjust the Page Sizing Settings in Adobe Acrobat
- Open your PDF in Adobe Acrobat or Acrobat Reader.
- Select File > Print.
- In the Page Sizing & Handling (or Page Scaling) section, choose one of the following options:
- Actual Size — prints the PDF at its original size, without any scaling.
- Fit — shrinks or enlarges the PDF content to fill the page.
- Shrink Oversized Pages — only shrinks pages that are larger than the paper, leaving smaller pages at their original size.
- Verify that the paper size is set correctly (for example, Letter).
- Click Print.
Check the Print Preview Before Printing
- Use the print preview window to see how the PDF will look on paper before you commit to printing. This can quickly reveal whether the sizing is still off.
Additional Troubleshooting Steps
- Print as Image — For complex PDFs, open the print dialog, click the Advanced button, and select Print as Image. Note that this option may not be available on all printers.
- Update your software — Make sure you are using the latest version of Adobe Acrobat Reader and that your operating system and printer drivers are up-to-date.
- Restart your devices — A simple restart of your computer and printer can sometimes resolve printing issues.
- Try another PDF viewer — If the problem continues, try printing the PDF from your web browser’s built-in print function or another PDF viewer to determine whether the issue is specific to Acrobat.
If you have worked through all of these steps and your PDF is still printing a partial page, contact ACS for support.
Common questions
Why is my PDF only printing part of the page?
This is almost always caused by an incorrect page sizing option in Adobe Acrobat or Acrobat Reader’s print settings. Opening File > Print and selecting Actual Size or Fit under Page Sizing & Handling typically resolves it.
What is the difference between Actual Size, Fit, and Shrink Oversized Pages in Adobe Acrobat?
Actual Size prints the PDF at its original dimensions with no scaling. Fit shrinks or enlarges the content to fill the selected paper size. Shrink Oversized Pages only reduces pages that are larger than the paper, leaving smaller pages unchanged.
What should I do if changing the page sizing setting does not fix the partial-page printing problem?
Try using the Print as Image option found in the Advanced print settings, restart your computer and printer, update Adobe Acrobat Reader and your printer drivers, or print the PDF from your web browser or another PDF viewer to see if the issue is specific to Acrobat.