Changing Background Color

[cwills]

I used the PrimoPDF converter to change a Word file to a PDF. However, the word file had a background color that made the document's images blend with the background. The document does not have the same visual appeal with the white background in the PDF version. Is there anyway to change the color of the background? I apologize in advanced if this is a stupid question.:confused:

[Jason.Stockett]

Which setting were you using (screen, print, ebook, prepress, etc...)? Prepress is designed to maintain as much image integrity as possible, you may want to try using that setting to see if that will help resolve your issue.

[Olivet]

I'm having the same problem. I've prepared a monthly report with a simple background, but when converted to PDF, background dissapeared. I've tried all of the options but nothing seems to work. Please help!

[Jason.Stockett]

If either of you could post a sample file that you are experiencing this problem with it would be helpful for us to use in our troubleshooting of this issue.

[Glanfx]

I am also having the same problem. Using word and converting to PDF. My pale background color changes to white.

Best Regards Glanfx

[Jason.Stockett]

If any of you could post a sample file and let us know which setting (screen, eprint, prepress, custom etc...) you are using it would be helpful in determining what the problem is.

Using prepress should keep the converted file as close to the original as possible, please give that a shot and let me know what the results are.

[Glanfx]

Hi Jason,

Thank you for responding.

Before I posted my previous post I read your earlier reply. Although I was normally trying to use the Ebook tab, I did also try the Prepress tab with the same reults.

Everything else seems to be working fine. I would normally have a pale blue background but this converts to white.

The files I was trying to convert are not suitable for putting on the forum. But tomorrow I will make a small file of one page with photos and a pale blue background. If that does not work I will try to post it on the Forum.

Should I just use the Insert Image tab above? Or copy and paste? Please advise. Do you require just the word doc or do you want the PDF also? Or can I send them as email attachments?

Signing off now but will pick up in the morning.
Glanfx

[Jason.Stockett]

It would be good if you could post both the original file and the converted PDF file so I can compare results.

In order to post the files on the forum you will first need to host them on an FTP server or 3rd party hosting site then post the links.

Also Please let me know which version of PrimoPDF you are using. If you are not already on 4.0.1 please update to the latest version of the software.

[Glanfx]

Hi Jason,

I am not in any way a computer programmer.

But I wonder if we are looking in the wrong place for an answer to this issue.

I am using PrimoPDF4. I am using MS Office (Word) 2000 Premium.

When I am creating a script to convert or print to PDF, I like to use the Print view to keep an eye on the layout as it will appear on an A4 printed page.

However, when I get to the point where I enter a color background the view is automatically changed to Web View! Which after the setting out is done is fine for me.

If I change back to the Print view the color background goes again.

Now here is my thought. As PrimoPDF appears to be a printer rather than a full convert program, then surely it will take its instruction from the Word Print setup.

If this is so then we should be looking at getting Word to display background color in the Print view. Or using a different writing program!

As a matter of interest I have another PDF printer in my "Printer List" and it does the same as yours. Perhaps proving the point.

As requested I have placed five file links at the very bottom of this webpage. Sorry I do not have any blank pages to place them on and I do hope that they will help you. I could not find any way to "View Source" on these files after postng. The 5th file is using a true conversion program for comparison.

http://glanweb.com/_wsn/page5.html

Please let me know when you have downloaded the files as I need to remove them from this web Page ASAP.

Best Regards,
Glanfx

[Glanfx]

As a follow up to my last post.

I have now tried the following Free writing program instead of Word.

http://www.angelicsoftware.com/en/download-angel-writer.html

It has about 98% of Words ability and is very similar to use BUT when used with PrimoPDF the background color is shown in the PDF file!

This could always be a simple solution to our problem.

Do users of later Word programs have the same issues? Has it been fixed?

UPDATE
Now added a 6th file to the website. Test of Angel-Writer and PrimoPDF. Looks OK to me.

Best Regards,
Glanfx

[Jason.Stockett]

Yes, I apologize. I misunderstood what was actually occuring. PrimoPDF will print exactly what it sees in the printpreview in word. So if word is not displaying it correctly then it will not print correctly when sent to PrimoPDF.

After a little digging it looks like this is probably do to a simple printer setting in Word. You can find the setting by following the instructions below in Word...

1. Open the file menu and select print.
2. Select "options" in the bottom left of the page.
3. Check the box labled "Background colors and Images", it can be found in the middle of the screen on the right column.

Once this change is made the backgrounds should now display in print preview and in the converted PDF file.

[Glanfx]

Hi Jason,

Thanks for that info.

I regret to say that on my version of Word in the Options tab and in the printing options area there is the choice "Background Printing" But this is already checked.

I have played around with it but still can not get it to work.

Do you have any other suggestions?

Am I now able to remove the files from my website?

Best Regards
Glanfx

[Jason.Stockett]

In that same area there are two background options. I assume you will need both selected in order to get the background image to print correctly.

1. Background printing
2. Background colors and images

They are both found in the same general location, one will be at the top of the page and the other will be near the middle. The only other option I have selected on this page is "drawing objects".

When I first ran through this document "Background printing" was already selected but the background image was not showing. After also enabeling the "background colors and images" the background started to display properly.