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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.
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