1. Save the PDF
Download the PDF to your device and let the download finish. Open the saved file so you can compare the same resource in another app.
Black Boxes Around Images?
Little Owls Resources · PDF & printing help
Let’s get your pictures printing clearly.
Seeing dark rectangles behind pictures in a PDF or on your printed pages? Start with the checks below, then follow the steps for where the problem appears.
Black boxes can be related to how a PDF is displayed or processed for printing. Trying another app or print method can help us narrow down what is happening.
Start with the quick checks
Before printing again
Start with these quick checks
2. Open it in Reader
Try opening the file directly in Adobe Acrobat Reader. If Reader is already installed, check that it is up to date. On iPhone or iPad, use the steps below to open the file in the app.
3. Check one page
Look at a page that previously had black boxes. Are they still visible on screen, or do they appear only on paper? Use the matching route below and test one affected page before printing a whole pack.
Choose the route that matches
Where do the black boxes appear?
On screen, or on screen and paper
The pictures look wrong before printing
If the black boxes are still visible after opening the saved PDF in Reader:
- Download a fresh copy from the resource page and open that file.
- If possible, compare the same page in another PDF app or on another device.
- If it looks correct there, try printing just that page from the app that displays it correctly.
If the boxes remain in different viewers, send us the resource link and page number so we can check the file with you.
Windows PC or Mac · Desktop Acrobat Reader
It looks right on screen, but prints with black boxes
Try the desktop Print as Image option:
- Open the saved PDF in Acrobat Reader on your computer.
- Choose Print using the print icon or File > Print.
- Select your printer and choose just one affected page to test.
- Open Advanced, select Print as Image, then confirm with OK.
- Check the paper size and scaling, then print the test page.
This sends the page to the printer as an image. It can help with processing problems, although fine text or image edges may look slightly rougher. Check the result before printing more.
Adobe’s illustrated instructionsDevice tips & next steps
Still need a little help?
I’m using an iPhone or iPad. How do I open the PDF in Acrobat?
Installing Reader does not automatically make every PDF open in it. With Acrobat Reader installed:
- Find or open the downloaded PDF on your device.
- Tap Share or Open In, depending on the app.
- Choose Acrobat or Copy to Acrobat. If it is not listed, check More.
- Check the affected page inside Acrobat. If it looks correct, try one test page using the app’s print option.
The desktop Advanced > Print as Image steps above are for a Windows PC or Mac. If you need that option, try the file on a computer or contact us.
I cannot find “Advanced” or “Print as Image”
Check that the file is open in the desktop Acrobat Reader app, rather than a browser preview, Apple Preview or a mobile app. Their print controls differ.
The position of the Advanced button varies by version. Use Adobe’s illustrated guide to find it. If the option is missing or unavailable, tell us your device, app and printer model so we can help with the next step.
Does this mean the resource file is faulty?
The black boxes alone do not tell us the cause. Comparing a fresh copy of the same file in another viewer or on another device helps distinguish a display or printing issue from something we need to check in the resource.
If the same page looks wrong in different viewers, please send us the details. We’ll investigate the resource itself as well.
I have tried these steps and the print is still wrong
If another printer is available, try one affected page there. You can also test a different PDF on your usual printer to see whether the problem affects more than one file.
Tell us what you tried and whether the black boxes appear on screen, on paper or both. A screenshot or a photo of the printed page will help us understand the problem.
We’re here to help
Let us take a closer look
Still seeing black boxes? Send us the details and we’ll help you work through the next steps.
support@littleowlsresources.com
Email us for help