Invented by the Adobe software company, the popular Portable Document Format (PDF) is widely used to share files across platforms. Using PDF files requires only compatible PDF reader software. Adobe's own Acrobat Reader DC and many competitors' alternatives run on major operating systems, including Windows, macOS, Android and iOS. Options that are available when you print a PDF usually depend on the software you use to view it and your printer's capabilities.
To print a PDF file with no margins, you usually need a printer with borderless printing features built into its software. Otherwise, many printers require a quarter-inch margin to print. You might find this feature in moderately priced all-in-one printers and some laser printers. In addition, most photo printers have this feature as a default or optional setting.
Adobe's Acrobat Reader DC is free to download but not necessarily the most useful PDF reader available. The free version of Acrobat Reader DC has many limitations when you print. You can't change the default one-inch margins when you print a PDF using Adobe Reader. The margin menu is grayed out in the Page Setup.
Advertisement Article continues below this adHowever, Adobe Reader DC allows you to adjust the size of your page's output. To do this, select a percentage of less than or more than 100 percent in Page Setup. The software's preview panel then displays how close your PDF's content is to the page's borders. Adjust the percentage in increments of 1 percent to get the results you require before printing. Unfortunately, Acrobat Reader doesn't save the settings, so you have to repeat this process for each PDF you want to print with no border margin.
Consider using Adobe Acrobat instead of Adobe Reader if you need more robust options for PDF printing. You can sign up for a free trial of Adobe Acrobat or buy Adobe Acrobat Standard DC. The current price is less than $200 for an annual subscription. A subscription gets you advanced printing options that include custom margins. It also lets you create PDFs, edit PDF files you receive, organize pages in PDF files, combine PDF files, and split large PDFs into smaller documents.
Advertisement Article continues below this adWhen using Adobe Acrobat DC for printing, you can create and save custom print settings and page setups. Set the print options for each PDF document in the "Advanced" tab of the software's "File" > "Properties" menu. In the "Tools" menu of Adobe Acrobat DC, eliminate the margins on specific PDFs. Locate this choice under "Print Production." Navigate to the "Set Page Boxes" menu. Then, under "Margin Controls," choose "Remove White Margins." The Page Range feature in this menu lets you apply your setting to a single page, a range of pages, or all the pages in your document.
The Microsoft support site offers an alternative that helps its Windows users convert PowerPoint to PDF without a white border when printing. This is a common task for PowerPoint users because sending PDF files allows wider distribution to recipients who don't have PowerPoint. You can try this workaround tip with printers that offer borderless printing.
Change the margins on Microsoft PowerPoint printouts under "Custom Slide Size" in the "Design" menu. Navigate to "Notes" and then "Notes Master." Remove the check mark for all placeholders. Experiment by stretching the slide to fit the preview page width and height. When you see the results you want, you're ready to print.
Advertisement Article continues below this adInstead of selecting your printer, print your PowerPoint file as a PDF by using the "Save As" menu. Choose "PDF" from the drop-down list before clicking the "Save" button. The margin settings that you create in PowerPoint display in Adobe Reader and Adobe Acrobat as well.