Large spooled file when you print a document that contains a vector image that has clipping paths

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Symptoms

Consider the following scenario:

You have a device that is running one of the versions of Windows that is listed in the "Applies to" section.
The device has an installed print queue that uses a PCL 6 Unidrv-based printer driver.
You print a file that includes a vector-based image that contains multiple clipping paths.

In this scenario, when you print the file to a device that uses a PCL 6 Unidrv-based printer driver, the spooled file is much larger than it is when you print by using a non-unidrv–based printer driver.

Note If you use the “Print to file” option instead of a hardware printer option, this issue affects the .prn file that is created.

For example, when you print a complex file by using a PCL 6 Unidrv-based driver, this creates a spooled file that is 156 MB. When you print the same file to a Postscript-based driver, the spooled file is only 1.4 MB.

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Cause

This issue occurs because of the way that a Unidrv-based driver processes vector images.

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Workaround

To work around this issue, use one of the following methods:

Method 1: Print as image

Select the "Print as image" option in the Print Properties dialog box or options list of the application, if the option is available.

Method 2: Use an alternative graphics option

Select the “Graphics as raster” option when you create the image, if the option is available.

Method 3: Use a different printer driver

Print the file by using a printer driver other than a PCL 6 Unidrv-based driver. For example, use a PostScript printer driver or an XPS printer driver.

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