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8 Ways to Print a PDF on Windows, Mac, iPhone, and Android (2024)

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August 31, 2023
Last Updated
March 15, 2024
6 min read

Sometimes only paper will do. Learn how to print a PDF in 2024!

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Using PDFs is a great way to organize documents, reduce the use of paper, and streamline tasks such as signing documents and filling forms.

But sometimes, only paper will do.

Printing PDFs is an easy task, regardless of the device or program that you use.

But some programs allow you to do more with your documents. Like editing PDFs before printing them, or applying advanced printing options.

We've compiled everything you need to know to quickly and easily print your PDF document.

Use our Table of Contents to jump to the section you need, or continue reading!

What to Know Before You Start

  • Ensure that your printer is connected and installed to your device before starting.
  • You can print a PDF from any program that can open PDFs and print. But some will give you more control over the settings of your printing.
  • To easily print an open PDF: press [ctrl] + [p] on your keyboard (or [command] + [p] on Mac).

Print to PDF or Save as PDF

One of the common options you'll see from the print settings dialog box is Print to PDF or Save as PDF.

This saves your document as a PDF, and is a great way to turn different types of documents into PDF format.

When printing, ensure that you select the correct printer, rather than saving it as a PDF.

How to Print a PDF on Windows

It's easy to print on any program that can open, view and print PDFs. You can use a default PDF-viewer such as Microsoft Edge, or dedicated PDF editors like PDF Pro or Adobe Acrobat.

Web Browser (Microsoft Edge, Chrome, etc.)

Printing a PDF from your browser is probably the easiest way to print a PDF document.

  1. Find and Open the PDF that you want to print, in the browser of your choice. (Right-click > Open with > Microsoft Edge).
  2. Press the Print button (or press [ctrl] + [p] on your keyboard).
  3. Select the proper printer from the Printer settings dialog box.
  4. Press Print.

PDF Pro

PDF Pro is our all-in-one PDF editor, converter, security tool, and more. PDF Pro makes it easy to edit and modify a PDF before you print it. Try PDF Pro for free today

  1. Open the PDF in PDF Pro.
  2. Press the Print button (or press [ctrl] + [p] on your keyboard).
  3. Select the correct printer from the Printer settings dialog box.
  4. Press Print.

That’s it!

Besides printing, PDF Pro helps you get the most out of your PDFs.

From editing and minor changes, to merging and password-protecting PDFs — PDF Pro does it all.

Adobe Acrobat

Adobe Acrobat is a popular PDF editor that can give you advanced printing options, if needed. Please note that you'll need to pay for the premium version of Adobe Acrobat in order to use this method.

  1. Open the PDF in Adobe Acrobat.
  2. Press File > Print.
  3. Select a Printer from the Print settings dialog box.
  4. Click Page Setup to specify advanced print options (if necessary).
  5. Click Print.

Adobe Reader

Adobe Reader is Adobe's free PDF-viewer that you can use to print PDFs. Unlike Acrobat, you won't be able to make edits or changes to your PDF before printing in Reader.

  1. Open the PDF in Adobe Reader.
  2. Press File > Print.
  3. Select the Printer from the Print settings dialog box.
  4. Click Print.

How to Print a PDF on Mac

Mac users can print PDFs using Preview, Mac's default PDF-viewer, or by using a dedicated PDF editor.

Preview

Preview is Mac's default PDF-viewer, and makes printing PDF documents easy.

  1. In Preview, Open the PDF that you want to print.
  2. Press File > Print (or [command] + [p] on your keyboard).
  3. Select additional print options (if necessary).
  4. When ready, press Print.

PDF Expert

PDF Expert is a third-party PDF editor designed specifically for macOS. You can use it to edit or modify PDFs before printing, and to print.

  1. In PDF Expert, Open the PDF that you want to print.
  2. Press File > Print (or [command] + [p] on your keyboard).
  3. Adjust the printing options, if necessary.
  4. Press Print.

How to Print a PDF on iPhone

iPhones feature Apple's AirPrint system, which makes it easy to connect and use (compatible) printers without needing to download or install additional drivers.

  1. Open the PDF that you want to print (in the app of your choice).
  2. Tap Share (or the Action button).
  3. Scroll down, then press Print.
  4. Tap No Printer Selected, then select an AirPrint-enabled printer.
  5. Select the number of copies you want to print, and the pages you want to print.
  6. When ready, press Print (in the upper-right corner).

How to Print an Email as a PDF on your iPhone

iPhone makes it easy to print emails directly from your preferred email app, such as Mail, Gmail, and Outlook.

  1. Open the email that you'd like to print.
  2. Press the Print button (or Print Conversation, if you're using Outlook)
  3. Tap No Printer Selected, then select an AirPrint-enabled printer.
  4. When ready, press Print (in the upper-right corner).

How to Print a PDF on Android

Before starting, ensure that your Android device is connected to a Printer.

Depending on the printer that you're using, you may be able to connect to it via Wi-Fi, or you may need to install a companion app via the Google Play Store.

The exact steps may differ depending on the printing app that you use, but the method will be similar.

  1. Open the PDF that you want to print.
  2. Tap the Print button. (Depending on the app, you may need to tap Share > Print).
  3. Select the printer from the dropdown menu.
  4. Scroll down to adjust print settings, if necessary.
  5. Tap the Print button.

Additional Print Options

Depending on the method you choose to print your PDF, you'll also have the additional, advanced, printing options to choose from.

Common print options include:

  1. Auto-Rotate: Automatically rotates image so they fill up as much of the paper as possible.
  2. Auto-Center: Automatically centers the document in the paper.
  3. Fit to printer margins: Automatically resizes the document to the margins of a printer.
  4. Number of copies: Print multiple copies of the PDF (or specific pages of the PDF).
  5. Grayscale: Grayscale uses variations of gray in place of colors. It's best used for documents being printed in black and white.
  6. Print comments: Print the comments that are in the PDF.
  7. Double sided printing: Prints on both sides of the paper.

Print Troubleshooting

If you're having trouble printing a PDF:

  1. Check your printer is connected and installed to your device.
  2. Update your printer's drivers.
  3. Try a different printer.
  4. Try printing from a different device.
  5. Try a different PDF.
  6. Convert the PDF to another file type.
  7. Ensure that there are no passwords or restrictions placed on the PDF #insert internal link
  8. If on a mobile device, ensure that you are connected to the printer, and that you're using the correct method and app for the printer.

Easily Print PDF Documents

Printing a PDF from your Windows, Mac, or mobile device is easy!

There's more than one way program you can use to print your PDF, but some let you do more with your documents.

Dedicated PDF editors allow you to edit and enhance your document before you print, and give you access to advanced printing options to make printing even easier.

Trusted worldwide, PDF Pro is a go-to PDF editor for Windows.

Besides printing, PDF Pro helps you get the most out of your documents. Editing, password-protecting, merging, and more — PDF Pro does it all.

Other things PDF Pro can help you with:

Buy Now Try PDF Pro Free

FAQ

We've compiled the most asked questions about how to print a PDF, and answered them for your benefit.

Why can’t I print my document?

There are a number of possible reasons. Refer to the Print Troubleshooting section above.

How do I print a PDF email attachment?

Open the PDF > press Print > select the correct printer > adjust settings as necessary > Print.

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Digital Marketing SpecialistArron Staradub
Arron was a Digital Marketer at PDF Pro, where he wrote helpful and engaging articles for those that that used PDFs in their daily life.

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