SolidWorks drawings print too light — lineweight + DPI mapping
Joe B.
Expert ★★★★★ 27,853 satisfied customers
Specialities: CAD-to-print pipelines, SolidWorks drawings, PDF export quality, PCL/PS drivers, lineweight & DPI calibration
SolidWorks print too light — adjust Line Thickness & Line Font, use High-Quality Lines, map DPI (vector vs raster)
Technician
• Output path: File → Print to a physical printer, or Save As → PDF from SolidWorks?
• What looks light — visible edges, hidden lines, center marks, or dimension text?
• Printer/driver: brand + whether it’s PCL/PS or a PDF driver (Adobe/Microsoft Print to PDF). Any Toner Save/Econo modes on?
We’ll fix Document Properties → Line Thickness/Line Font, enable High-Quality Lines in PDF export, and map DPI so thin line weights don’t wash out.
Technician
Plan: 1) Increase base weights in Document Properties → Line Thickness. 2) Tune per-type in Line Font (e.g., hidden/center a notch thicker). 3) Re-export PDF with High-Quality Lines at 300–600 DPI and Use specified printer line weights. 4) On the HP driver disable Econo/Toner Save, set density, 1200 dpi, and 100% scale.
Technician
• Go to Tools → Options → Document Properties → Line Thickness. Raise the base values so Thin≈0.18–0.20 mm, Normal≈0.25–0.30 mm, Thick≈0.35–0.50 mm. This sets the print stroke widths.
• Next, Document Properties → Line Font. For Visible Edges use Normal, for Hidden Lines bump to Normal/Thick if they’re washing out, and for Centerlines/Center marks pick at least Normal. Make sure Use document defaults is on for components unless you’re purposely overriding on a layer.
This maps edge types to the physical weights you just defined so they print darker/consistent.
Technician
• File → Save As → PDF → Options… → enable High-Quality Lines and High-Quality Shaded Edges (for shaded views).
• Set Shaded/Draft Geometry DPI = 300–600. 600 DPI makes very small text and thin edges render crisp on office lasers.
• Tick Use specified printer line weights so the PDF honors your Line Thickness table.
• Keep Embed Fonts on; choose Export PDF in Color unless you need monochrome.
If a view is set to Draft quality HLR/HLV, switch it to high quality so vector strokes aren’t downsampled.
Technician
• In the HP PCL 6 driver, Printing Preferences: disable Economode/Toner Save, set Print Quality = 1200 dpi, and Graphics = Text/Lines optimized (not “Universal”).
• In Adobe Reader / Edge print dialog: Scale = Actual size (100%), “Fit” can thin strokes on some drivers.
• Media type = Plain (unless specialty paper) to avoid auto-toner reduction.
• If you print directly from SolidWorks (File → Print), click Line Thickness in the print dialog and make sure the values mirror your Document Properties.
Technician
• Document Properties → Line Font → set Dimensions to Normal and Centerlines/Center marks to Normal or Thick.
• If certain views/components are pale, right-click the view → Component Line Font… and uncheck Use document defaults to assign thicker weights only for that component.
• Save these into your DRWDOT template so new drawings inherit the mapping.
Technician
• Keep gray color but assign a thicker lineweight in Line Font so stroke width compensates.
• Or output monochrome PDF with robust weights: in PDF Options keep color on, but set part layers to black in the drawing and rely on weight contrast (Visible = 0.30 mm, Hidden = 0.25 mm, Center = 0.25–0.35 mm).
For title block text Embed Fonts to avoid font substitution (which can appear lighter).
Technician
• Document Properties → Line Thickness: Thin=0.18–0.20 mm, Normal=0.28–0.30 mm, Thick=0.40–0.50 mm.
• Line Font: Visible=Normal, Hidden=Normal/Thick, Centerlines/marks=Normal (0.28–0.35 mm). Dimensions = Normal; Leaders = Normal.
• PDF Options: High-Quality Lines ✓, High-Quality Shaded Edges ✓, DPI=600, Use specified printer line weights ✓, Embed Fonts ✓.
• Driver: 1200 dpi, Economode off, Scale=100%. Save to a shared DRWDOT & document a one-page “Print Profile”.
Technician
Quick answer: the accepted fix
Accepted fix when SolidWorks drawings print too light: increase Line Thickness (Thin/Normal/Thick), adjust per-type in Line Font, export with High-Quality Lines and 600 DPI, tick Use specified printer line weights, then print at 100% scale with driver economy modes off.
Why drawings look faint (lineweight table, vector vs raster, HLR/HLV)
SolidWorks separates on-screen thickness from printed lineweights. The print/PDF pipeline uses the Line Thickness table (mm) plus Line Font mapping (visible/hidden/center). If a view uses draft HLR/HLV or a low DPI, fine strokes can rasterize into pale hairlines. Enabling High-Quality Lines and setting 600 DPI preserves vector edges so lineweight contrast survives on laser printers.
How to verify the new mapping (and keep it)
Print a test sheet with visible/hidden/centerline swatches at Thin/Normal/Thick. If any class is still washed out, bump the mm value one notch. Save as a DRWDOT template so the team inherits the same Line Thickness, Line Font, and PDF Options. Re-test on the real device at 100% scale with driver Economode/Toner Save off.
Lineweight & DPI — quick troubleshooting tips
Most “prints too light” cases are thin base weights, draft HLR/HLV, low DPI, or driver economy modes.
Quick path: raise Line Thickness mm values → map Line Font per edge type → Save as PDF with High-Quality Lines & 600 DPI → print at 100% with Economode off. Keep the settings in a shared DRWDOT so outputs stay consistent across users and printers.
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 do SolidWorks drawings print lighter than they look on screen?
Printed/PDF output uses the Line Thickness table (mm) and Line Font mapping, not on-screen thickness. Low DPI or draft HLR/HLV further thins strokes. Increase mm values, enable High-Quality Lines, and print at 100% scale.
Where do I change lineweights for hidden lines and centerlines?
Tools → Options → Document Properties → Line Font. Assign Normal/Thick to Hidden and Centerline entities, backed by higher base values in Line Thickness.
What PDF export settings make drawings print darker?
In PDF Options: High-Quality Lines ✓, High-Quality Shaded Edges ✓, DPI=300–600, Use specified printer line weights ✓, Embed Fonts ✓. Then disable Economode in the printer driver.
Do I need to edit every file?
No. Save the mapping in your DRWDOT template. New drawings inherit Line Thickness/Line Font and PDF export defaults, keeping output consistent across the team.
Sources
- SOLIDWORKS Help — Document Properties: Line Font
- SOLIDWORKS Help — Document Properties: Line Thickness (print settings)
- SOLIDWORKS Help — PDF Export Options (High-Quality Lines, DPI)
Filed under: Printers
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