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You are here: Home / Delivery / What you miss when you print slides using the default settings

What you miss when you print slides using the default settings

July 28, 2012 by Ellen Finkelstein 7 Comments

READ LATER - DOWNLOAD THIS POST AS PDF >> CLICK HERE <<

By default, when you print a presentation, it does not print in high quality. What does this mean?

For the most part, you see the difference in shadows. Perspective and soft shadows on shapes and text don’t print unless you change the print setting to high quality. Have you ever tried to print a presentation and wondered, “Why don’t my shadows print?”

Shadows you created

Here are some shadows with a variety of blur settings, plus a perspective shadow.

powerpoint-tips-printing-what-you-miss-1

What you see when you print

Here’s what you get when you print the slide.

powerpoint-tips-printing-what-you-miss-2

Pretty sad, yes?

When you print, you can tell in advance if you’ll see the shadows. In PowerPoint 2007, choose Application button> Print and click Preview in the Print dialog box. In 2010, choose File> Print and you’ll see the preview on the right.

How to fix the shadows so they print properly

This issue is easy to fix,as long as you know where to look. You can print high quality for just the current presentation or for all presentations.

Here are the steps in PowerPoint 2007 & 2010 for just the current presentation:

  1. Choose Application button or File> Print.
  2. In 2007, the Print dialog box opens. Click the High Quality check box that the lower-right corner of the dialog box. In 2010, it’s harder to find. In the Settings section, click the 2nd drop-down list; by default it says Full Page Slides. Then choose High Quality at the bottom of the list.
  3. Click Print or OK.

But I recommend setting the print quality to High Quality for all presentations. Why would you not want to print the shadows? Here are the steps:

  1. Choose the Application button or File, then choose PowerPoint Options or Options.
  2. Choose the Advanced category.
  3. Under the Print section, check the High Quality check box.
  4. Click OK.

powerpoint-tips-printing-what-you-miss-3

Now you’re set for good!

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READ LATER - DOWNLOAD THIS POST AS PDF >> CLICK HERE <<

Related posts:

  1. Print in Black & White or Grayscale
  2. Successfully print presentations
  3. Changing the Default for New Objects
  4. Create a PowerPoint handout from selected slides

Filed Under: Delivery

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Gypsy Chaos
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Gypsy Chaos

THANK YOU! I thought I was going daft. I have two people who ‘float’ above the sand without the shadows to anchor them. Thank you thank you thank you.

Your solution was perfect and easy to follow, even using PowerPoint 2013.

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9 years ago
Ellen Finkelstein
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Ellen Finkelstein

Glad to help! If you haven’t already, I invite you to subscribe to my newsletter to get more great tips. Just click the Sign Up button.

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9 years ago
Matt
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Matt

I FINALLY decided to search on this one. I could have used this advice a LONG time ago. Just goes to show, if something doesn’t make sense, chances are it has an explanation and someone’s figured it out. Google. Thanks!!

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9 years ago
Laenette De jager
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Laenette De jager

Thanks so much for your help on high quality printouts from PowerPoint!!! I need to print Greeting Cards to sell in a shop and need to know whether the printed quality from PPT will be high enough. Thank you. L de Jager

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8 years ago
Solluna Summer
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Solluna Summer

Thanks for the information. I’m working on a high-profile project at work, and this answer has helped to save me some grief. 🙂

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8 years ago
David Sarcet
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David Sarcet

Can you embed settings so a client would print it off this way without instructions?

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7 years ago
Matt
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Matt

Works in Visio too! Thanks!

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5 years ago
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