Troubleshoot desktop printer settings

The following general troubleshooting procedures may prove helpful.

Configure your HP DeskJet printer (or equivalent) for best possible printing

Microsoft Publisher has a special setting that helps optimize HP DeskJet and other ink-jet printers for printing text and graphics.

  1. On the Tools menu, click Options.
  2. Click the Print tab.
  3. Select Print line-by-line (Inkjet printers only).
  4. Click OK, and then try printing your publication again.

Note   Selecting this option might slow printing.

Change the printer's spool settings

When you print from Microsoft Publisher, your print information is stored in a file before it is sent to the printer. This is called "spooling." The way your print job is spooled can affect the printed publication.

  1. On the Microsoft Windows taskbar, click the Start button, point to Settings, and then click Printers.
  2. Right-click the icon for the printer you want, and then click Properties.
  3. Click the Details tab.
  4. Click Spool Settings.
  5. In the Spool data dialog box, click RAW, and then click OK in both dialog boxes.
  6. Try printing your publication again.
  7. If your publication still prints incorrectly, repeat steps 1 through 6, and then click Print directly to the printer.

Free up space on the hard disk

If your computer is low on hard disk space, you may encounter printing problems.

  1. On your Microsoft Windows desktop, double-click My Computer.
  2. Right-click the icon of the drive where Windows is installed (usually C:), and then click Properties.
  3. Click the General tab.
  4. Windows displays the amount of used and free space on your hard disk.
  5. After you've noted the amount of free space, click Cancel.
  6. If you have less than the recommended minimum free hard drive space of 10 megabytes, you can try one or all of the following:

Find or create the Temp folder

Microsoft Windows stores a variety of temporary files in a Temp folder. If the folder does not exist or its location is not stated correctly, you might encounter printing problems.

  1. On the Windows taskbar, click the Start button, point to Programs, and then click MS-DOS Prompt.
  2. An MS-DOS window opens.
  3. At the MS-DOS prompt, type Set, and then press ENTER.

    Windows displays various lines of text. Find one that looks similar to Temp=C:\Windows\Temp.

  4. Make a note of the location; for example, C:\Windows\Temp. 
  5. Type Exit, and then press ENTER.
  6. In Windows Explorer, find this folder to verify that it exists in the correct location.
  7. If the folder does not exist, create it in the location you noted in step 4.