PDF prints random Chinese characters — corrupted font map (CMap) & driver mismatch
Joe B.
Reviewed for technical accuracy
Specialities: PDF/Acrobat, font embedding & CMap, Windows/macOS print drivers (PCL6/PS/UFR II/BR-Script), CUPS/IPP, PostScript errors
PDF prints random symbols, Chinese characters or gibberish — corrupted font map (CMap), font substitution, PCL vs PostScript
Technician
• OS & app: **Windows/macOS** and which viewer (Adobe Acrobat/Reader, Edge, Preview, Foxit)?
• Printer model & driver type: **PCL6**, **PostScript (PS/BR-Script)**, **UFR II**, **ESC/P-R**, or **IPP Class Driver**?
• Symptoms: random **CJK glyphs**, boxes/□, **missing glyphs**, or pages with **@PJL / %!PS**?
• Does **Print as Image** (rasterize 300–600 dpi) produce correct output?
Technician
• Some PDFs use **CID-keyed Type 0 fonts** with subset names; if the **CMap** or embedded font is corrupted, the device substitutes wrong glyphs → “random Chinese characters”.
• If Windows chose an **IPP/WSD class driver** in **PCL** for a device expecting **PostScript** (or vice-versa), the printer misreads the stream and prints symbols.
We’ll 1) test **Print as Image** to bypass fonts, 2) switch to the correct **vendor driver** (PCL6 vs PS), 3) re-embed/repair fonts if the file is at fault.
Technician
In **Adobe Reader**: File → Print → Advanced → enable **Print as Image** (pick 300 or 600 dpi). This rasterizes the page, avoiding corrupted **CMaps** and **Type 1/TrueType** substitution.
Step 2 — Verify printer language
Control Panel → Devices and Printers → (your printer) → Printer properties → Advanced. Driver name often reveals **PCL6**, **PS** (PostScript/BR-Script), **UFR II**, etc. If it says **“Microsoft IPP Class Driver”**, switch to the official **Ricoh PCL6** or **PS** package.
Technician
Step 3 — Install the vendor driver and correct port
1) Download the **Ricoh PS or PCL6** driver (match what your device supports best — many PDFs behave safest via **PostScript**).
2) In **Printer properties → Ports**, create a **Standard TCP/IP port (RAW 9100)** to the printer’s IP. Avoid **WSD/IPP** for now.
3) On **Advanced**, choose the new **PS** (or **PCL6**) driver. Uncheck **“Enable advanced printing features”** temporarily to reduce spooling glitches.
4) Test the problem PDF again (with **Print as Image** off). Output should be clean, with no **gibberish characters**.
Technician
Step 4 — Rebuild the PDF
• In Acrobat: Preflight → Fixups → **Embed fonts** and/or convert to **PDF/X-4** (forces proper embedding and flattens odd transparency).
• Alternatively **Print to PDF** or **Save as → Optimized PDF** with “Subset fonts = 100%”.
• As a last resort for this one file, keep **Print as Image** enabled (raster 600 dpi) — it’s a safe workaround for corrupt **font maps**.
Technician
• **System Settings → Printers**: re-add using **AirPrint/IPP Everywhere** or Brother’s **BR-Script (PS)** package if available. Mismatched **pdftops**/**raster** filters in **CUPS** can produce garbled output.
• In **CUPS web (http://localhost:631)** set **Driver/Make** to the vendor PS/BR-Script where possible.
• Test from **Preview** and **Acrobat**; if only Acrobat fails, keep **Print as Image** for that document or re-save the PDF to re-embed fonts.
Technician
• In Office/ERP PDF export, enable **Embed fonts** and **Subset fonts = 100%**; avoid device font substitution.
• Stick to Unicode **TrueType/OpenType** fonts (Arial, Calibri, Noto) instead of legacy **Type 1**.
• Keep **printer firmware** and **Adobe Reader** updated. For Windows queues, prefer **Standard TCP/IP (RAW 9100)** with **vendor PCL6/PS** over generic **IPP Class** drivers.
• For label/report systems, test a **PostScript** queue when PDFs contain complex **CID fonts** or vertical CJK layouts.
Technician
• **Stop** the spooler → clear
C:\Windows\System32\spool\PRINTERS → **Start** the spooler → power-cycle the printer.• Reinstall the queue with the correct **PDL** (e.g., switch from **Microsoft IPP Class** to **HP/Canon/Brother/Ricoh PS** or **PCL6**).
• Re-test the PDF. If needed, toggle **Print as Image** to rule out font corruption while you stabilize drivers.
Technician
Quick answer: the accepted fix
Accepted fix when PDF prints random symbols/Chinese characters: in Acrobat enable Print as Image (300–600 dpi). Then switch Windows/macOS to the vendor’s PCL6 or PostScript driver on a Standard TCP/IP (RAW 9100) port, not IPP/WSD. If the specific PDF is corrupt, re-embed fonts or re-save as PDF/X-4.
Why PDFs print gibberish: CMap corruption, font substitution & PDL mismatch
PDFs using CID-keyed fonts rely on accurate CMap tables. If a font subset or ToUnicode map is broken, the printer performs font substitution and you see random Chinese characters or missing glyphs. Separately, a printer description language (PDL) mismatch — sending PostScript data to a PCL queue (or vice-versa) — yields gibberish characters, @PJL, or %!PS on paper. Rasterizing the page (Print as Image) and installing the correct vendor driver resolves both root causes.
How to verify clean output (Windows/macOS/CUPS)
Print a text-heavy PDF and one with CJK glyphs. Disable **Print as Image** after fixing drivers; the output should match on **PS** and **PCL6** queues. On macOS, re-add the queue using **BR-Script (PS)**/**UFR II** or **AirPrint/IPP Everywhere** and test from **Preview** and **Acrobat**. In CUPS, ensure the correct **PPD** and filter chain are selected.
PDF prints gibberish — quick troubleshooting tips
Most cases trace to a bad font map (CMap) or a wrong PDL/driver choice.
Quick path: in **Acrobat/Reader** enable Print as Image → install vendor **PS or PCL6** driver → use **Standard TCP/IP (RAW 9100)** → embed fonts during export → keep firmware/Reader updated. For stubborn documents, convert to PDF/X-4 or outline text before printing.
Disclaimer: This information is AI-generated and intended for general guidance only. For advice specific to your environment, please consult a verified expert on Whizz-Tech before making decisions.
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FAQ
Why does a PDF print random Chinese characters or gibberish?
Usually a broken CMap/font embedding or a driver mismatch (**PCL vs PostScript**). The printer substitutes glyphs or misinterprets the data stream. Use Print as Image, then install the vendor PCL6/PS driver.
What fixes “missing glyphs” or boxes when printing?
Re-embed fonts (export as PDF/X-4 or use Acrobat Preflight), avoid legacy Type 1 fonts, and prefer **TrueType/OpenType**. Printing as an image also bypasses bad mappings.
Is PostScript or PCL better for PDFs?
For complex PDFs with **CID-keyed fonts** and transparency, **PostScript (PS/BR-Script)** is often safer. For speed, **PCL6** is fine once fonts are embedded correctly.
Pages of @PJL or %!PS keep printing — what now?
Clear the **Print Spooler**, power-cycle the printer, and reinstall using the correct **PDL** on a **Standard TCP/IP (RAW 9100)** port. This stops garbage text storms.
Sources
- Adobe Help — Quick fix: Print PDF as Image (rasterize to bypass font map issues)
- HP — Printers: Unexpected Text Prints (random or unreadable characters)
- Microsoft Q&A — Network printer printing gibberish (driver/PDL mismatch guidance)
Filed under: Printers
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