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D
DE Soteria
Participant
June 14, 2021
Question

PDF Form with template in red font too light to read when faxing

  • June 14, 2021
  • 2 replies
  • 3157 views

We use a PDF form (included copy) that was created from a template that is published in Red Font.  Our previous use of the completed form was a printed copy in black & white that was then manually faxed via fax machine, where the quality of the receiving output was at least readable.  We are now implementing a paperless process where the completed PDF form is then faxed via email using Instant Fax.  If we use the completed form as-is only the darker data entered comes over readable to the recipient.  If we then print the PDF form to PDF grey scale/black & white it is still not dark enough for the recipient to read in its entirety.  Is there a way to convert the PDF form we enter the data into from Red to Black?  If not is there a way to further enhance the darkness of the grey scale/black & white "printed" PDF version before we fax it?

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2 replies

Brad @ Roaring Mouse
Community Expert
Brad @ Roaring MouseCommunity Expert
Community Expert
June 17, 2021

A few things.

First off: why would you still be faxing a document in this day and age?

 

I looked at the form and it seems the red template actually is an image, and not editable text, so changing the color as suggested is not as easy.

 

I then looked at the instruction manual referenced at the bottom left corner of the form, and even in that it says to email completed forms (and has an address to do so.). In fact, no mention of faxing.

 

And here's the big one: In their FAQ they mention the red color is important to their workflow as (printed) forms that are submitted by old-school snail mail are scanned and OCR'd and their system is designed to ignore the red, so you changing that color will only complicate things in your claims.

 

I would have a chat with your claims people and see what you should be doing from this point on! you might be making it harder to process claims at their end.

 

Good luck!

 

-Brad

 

D
DE SoteriaAuthor
Participant
June 17, 2021

Thanks for the reply and the input Brad!

 

'Old school' is indeed the proper phrase for the use of this form.  Unfortunatley it goes to many different unrelated insurance companies, which depending on how they process the form (claim) we are still snail mailing the red copy or mandated to fax if otherwise.  If sent by fax, which is the majority, the thought is by default any output is black & white.

 

I think you have confirmed my suspicions though, that the red template is an image and thus not easily updated.

 

Thanks again.

Karl Heinz Kremer
Community Expert
Karl Heinz KremerCommunity Expert
Community Expert
June 17, 2021

If you have Acrobat, you can edit the image in Photoshop - as long as Photoshop is configured as Acrobat's touchup editor. PS will allow you to edit the color. 

Karl Heinz Kremer
Community Expert
Karl Heinz KremerCommunity Expert
Community Expert
June 17, 2021

If you have Adobe Acrobat Pro, you can change the color of elements using a preflight profile. 

D
DE SoteriaAuthor
Participant
June 17, 2021

Appreciate the suggestion Karl.

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