Print layers

Normally, when you print a PDF that contains layers, just the content that is visible on-screen is printed. However, the creator of a layered PDF can specify that some layered content, such as watermarks or confidential information, must (or must not) print, regardless of its visibility on-screen. If the document is designed to print differently from how it currently appears on-screen, a message may appear in the Print dialog box. The Preview image in the Print dialog box always shows the page as it will print.

Note: To work with layers in Acrobat, convert the source document to PDF using a preset that preserves layers, such Acrobat 6 (PDF 1.5) or later.

View how layers print

  1. Click the Layers icon  in the navigation panel.
  2. Choose Apply Print Overrides from the Options menu.
    Note: Depending on the visibility settings specified when the PDF was created, Apply Print Overrides may be unavailable in the Options menu.

Change print settings for a layer

  1. Click the Layers icon  in the navigation panel.
  2. Expand the layers area, select a layer, and then select Layer Properties from the Options menu.
  3. In the Layer Properties dialog box, choose one of the following from the Print pop-up menu:
    Option Description
    Always Prints

    Forces the layer to print.
    Never Prints

    Forces the layer not to print.
    Prints When Visible

    Matches printed output to on-screen visibility.

    Note: In Reader, you can open the Layer Properties dialog box, but you cannot change the settings.