Pdf files not printing jet black ink and looking fuzzy

Here are the things I'd check, in order of likelihood:

1. Check Adobe Reader print settings
   • In the Print dialog, click Advanced.
   • Make sure Print as Image is unchecked. If this is enabled, text can become softer or gray.
   • Also ensure you're printing at the printer's highest resolution (600 dpi or 1200 dpi if available).
2. Check macOS print quality
   • In the Print dialog, look for Media & Quality or Printer Features.
   • Verify that:
     • Print Quality = Best or High
     • Color Mode = Black & White (or Black Ink Only if available)
     • Draft or Economy mode is off.
3. Zoom in on the PDF
   • Open the PDF in Adobe and zoom to 800–1600%.
   • Does the text already look fuzzy/gray on screen?
     • Yes: Avery is likely generating a lower-quality PDF.
     • No: The issue is happening during printing.
4. Print the same PDF from Preview
   • Open the PDF in Preview instead of Adobe.
   • Print one sheet.
   • If Preview prints crisp black text, the problem is likely with Adobe after a recent update.
5. Check if Adobe recently updated
   • Adobe updates occasionally change font rendering or print behavior.
   • If this started "two days ago," that timing is suspicious.
6. Try downloading a fresh PDF from Avery
   • Sometimes the PDF generation changes.
   • Create a brand new label and compare it to an older PDF that you know used to print perfectly.
7. Check for transparency or grayscale
   • If the text is supposed to be solid black (#000000), but Avery has started generating it as rich black or grayscale, it can print softer.
   • In Adobe, choose File → Properties → Fonts and make sure the fonts are embedded.

We print labels for our business using avery, download the PDF & print through adobe on my imac. (Latest update)
For two days now im trying to work out what is causing my labels to be printing in a fuzzy grey like font and not the crisp jet black high resolution font we are use to. 
i have been using this same system for 4 years and  not had a probelm. 
We have 2 printers acting the same way so its not the printers, its definatly the softwear. 
Any tips or advice you have would really help me out! 

By Milestone Mastercard @lauren_3554

Hello,

Since you've ruled out the printers, it's highly likely that a recent software update on your iMac is the culprit, possibly for either macOS or Adobe Reader. Here are some troubleshooting tips that have helped others in similar situations:

1. "Print as Image" in Adobe Reader

This is a very common fix for blurry or fuzzy text when printing PDFs. The theory is that the software is having trouble rendering the text correctly, and this setting bypasses that process by sending the entire page to the printer as a single image.

When you go to print your PDF in Adobe Reader, open the print dialog box.

Look for an "Advanced" button.

In the "Advanced Print Setup" dialog, check the box that says "Print as Image".

Click OK and then print.

This often resolves issues with blurred text or barcodes and can also fix problems with grey backgrounds appearing unexpectedly.

2. Check Printer Settings

Even though you've ruled out the hardware, the software settings for your printers might have been reset or changed during a system update.

In the print dialog, look for options related to "Paper Type" or "Media Type." Make sure it's set to something appropriate for labels or heavy paper, such as "Heavyweight," "Cardstock," or "Labels." Avoid "Plain Paper."

Also, check the "Print Quality" settings. Ensure they are set to "High" or "Best" rather than "Draft" or a lower-quality setting.

3. Update Your Printer Drivers

A macOS update may have introduced an incompatibility with your existing printer drivers. Visiting your printer manufacturer's website and downloading the latest drivers for your specific model and macOS version is a good idea.

4. Check Your Avery Design File

While less likely if nothing has changed on your end, it's worth checking the source.

Did you recently use a new image or a different font? Sometimes low-resolution images or certain fonts can cause printing issues.

Avery's help center suggests that in their "Design & Print Online" software, a decrease in image resolution on the PDF can cause blurring. If you're using their online tool, try a different image file type (like PNG or JPEG) and make sure the resolution is high (DPI).

5. Color Settings

The fuzzy grey appearance instead of crisp black could be related to color settings. Your screen uses RGB, but printers use CMYK. If the software is getting confused during the conversion, it could lead to poor results.

In your print settings, look for an option to "Print in Grayscale" or "Black & White." Make sure this is either off or set to a high-quality black-and-white print, not just a generic grayscale.

Some users have reported success by making sure the black font in their design is set to "100% Black" (often seen as K=100% in CMYK) rather than a combination of CMY colors that results in black.

By trying these steps, you should be able to narrow down the cause of the problem and get back to printing your labels with the quality you expect.