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Q92473: PPT: Text Shadows Don’t Print Properly to PCL Printers

Article: Q92473
Product(s): Microsoft PowerPoint for Windows
Version(s): WINDOWS:3.0,4.0,7.0
Operating System(s): 
Keyword(s): kbprint kbPrinting
Last Modified: 07-SEP-2001

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The information in this article applies to:

- Microsoft PowerPoint for Windows 95, version 7.0 
- Microsoft PowerPoint for Windows, versions 3.0, 4.0 
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SYMPTOMS
========

If you print shadowed text from PowerPoint to a Hewlett-Packard (HP) LaserJet II
series (or another PCL level 4 printer), it is not printed as expected. Both the
text and the text shadow are printed in black, causing the text to appear
double. You see this if you use either a shadowed text style or apply an object
shadow to text.

CAUSE
=====

The printer control language (PCL) of Hewlett-Packard LaserJet series printers
does not support printing text in any shade of gray. The LaserJet Series III
uses PCL level 5, which does support printing text as white, but does not print
text in any shade of gray.

The LaserJet series printer drivers that are included with Windows 3.1 and
Windows 95 have an option to Print TrueType As Graphics. This option allows text
formatted as white to be printed in white, but it does not enable a PCL printer
to print gray text.

WORKAROUND
==========

Method 1. Change the Slide Background
-------------------------------------

One way to create text with a drop shadow and print it correctly to a LaserJet
class of printer is to give your PowerPoint slide a gray or colored background
and format the shadowed text so that either the text or the text shadow is
white. In addition, if you are using a LaserJet II-class printer, you must
follow these steps:

1. On the File menu, click Print Setup.

2. Select your LaserJet II-class printer driver as a specific printer for either
  your Slides or your Notes, Handouts, and Outline pages. Click Setup.

3. In the Setup dialog box, choose Options.

4. Select the check box labeled Print TrueType As Graphic. Click OK.

5. Click OK in the Setup dialog box. Then click OK in the Print Setup dialog box
  to return to the PowerPoint presentation.

The shadowed text in this one special instance prints as desired.

Method 2 Create a Text Effect
-----------------------------

Create the text using WordArt.

Additional query words: grey letters shadow overlap double ppt30 ppt40 powerpt

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Keywords          : kbprint kbPrinting 
Technology        : kbPowerPtSearch kbPowerPt95 kbZNotKeyword2 kbPowerPt95Search kbPowerPt400 kbPowerPt300
Version           : WINDOWS:3.0,4.0,7.0

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