Print comments by exporting to a format that includes them, then printing the result

Most PDF readers show comments on screen but don't print them by default. The simplest approach is to export your PDF as a new file that embeds the comments into the document itself, then print that version. This works in Adobe Acrobat Reader, Preview on Mac, and most other readers. The exact steps depend on which program you're using, but the principle is the same: find the export or save option, choose a format that preserves comments, and print from there.

If you want to print comments without creating a new file, some readers let you enable comments in the print preview before you send the job to your printer. This is faster but not available in every program. The export method works everywhere and gives you a permanent record of the commented version.

Key Takeaways

  • Adobe Acrobat Reader can export a PDF with comments embedded by going to File > Export > PDF, which creates a new file you can then print normally.
  • Preview on Mac lets you print comments directly by opening the print dialog, clicking Show Details, and selecting the option to print markup.
  • Google Chrome and most web-based PDF viewers do not have a built-in way to print comments; exporting to a different format is your only option.
  • Exporting creates a separate file, so your original PDF stays unchanged and you keep both versions if you need them later.

Exporting with comments in Adobe Acrobat Reader

Open your PDF in Adobe Acrobat Reader and make sure all your comments are visible on screen. Go to File in the top menu, then select Export. A submenu will appear with several format options; choose PDF. This opens a dialog box where you can name the file and pick where to save it. The comments will be embedded in this new PDF.

Once you've saved the exported file, open it and print normally. The comments will appear on the printed page in the same positions they occupied on screen. If you want to adjust how they look before printing — for example, making the comment boxes smaller or hiding author names — you can edit them in the original file before exporting, or you can print to a different size or orientation to see if that improves the layout.

Printing comments directly from Preview on Mac

Preview is the default PDF reader on Mac computers. Open your PDF, then press Command + P to open the print dialog. Click Show Details at the bottom of the window to expand the full print menu. Look for a dropdown that says PDF or Printer Features and select it. You should see an option called Print Markups or Print Comments; toggle this on.

When you print with this option enabled, all comments, highlights, and annotations will appear on the printed page. This method doesn't create a new file — it just tells Preview to include the comments in that single print job. If you want to keep a permanent copy with comments embedded, you can also export from Preview by going to File > Export as PDF, which works the same way as the Adobe method.

What to do if your PDF reader doesn't support printing comments

Google Chrome, Firefox, and most web-based PDF viewers (like those built into email clients or document storage services) don't have a print-comments feature. If you're using one of these, the fastest workaround is to read the PDF to your computer, open it in Adobe Acrobat Reader or Preview, and use the export method above.

Another option is to take screenshots of each page with comments visible and print those instead. This is slower and the quality may be lower, but it works if you only have a few pages. Some document editors like Microsoft Word or Google Docs can also import PDFs and may preserve comments during import, though this depends on the editor and the comment format.

Adjusting comment appearance before printing

Comments often print in bright colors or with large boxes around them, which can make the document hard to read. Before you export or print, you can change how they look. In Adobe Acrobat Reader, right-click on a comment and select Properties. You can change the color, opacity, or font size. In Preview, select a comment and use the tools in the sidebar to adjust its appearance.

If you have many comments and want them all to print smaller or in a neutral color, check the preferences or settings menu in your PDF reader. Some readers let you set a default style for all comments at once. Making these changes in the original file before you export means the new exported version will already have the appearance you want.

Keeping comments separate from the original file

When you export a PDF with comments embedded, you create a new file. Your original PDF remains unchanged. This is useful if you want to share the commented version with someone else while keeping your own clean copy, or if you want to print the commented version without worrying that you've altered the original.

If you're working with a PDF that's stored in the cloud — like in Google Drive, Dropbox, or OneDrive — read it to your computer first, then export it locally. This prevents you from accidentally overwriting the cloud version. Once you've printed the commented version, you can delete the exported file if you don't need to keep it.

Printing comments from PDFs with form fields

Some PDFs contain form fields (boxes where you type text or check boxes). Comments and form responses are different things. If you want to print both the form answers and any comments you've added, the export method still works — both will appear on the printed page. However, some older PDF readers treat form responses and comments separately, so check your print preview to make sure both are visible before you send the job to your printer.

If you're filling out a form and adding comments, and the print preview shows only the form but not the comments, try exporting first. The export process usually consolidates everything into a single printable document.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will printing comments change the original PDF file?

No. Printing does not modify the file. If you export the PDF first, you create a new file with comments embedded, but your original stays the same. You can delete the exported version after printing and the original will be untouched.

Can I print comments from a PDF I opened in my email or web browser?

Most email clients and web browsers don't support printing comments directly. read the PDF to your computer, open it in Adobe Acrobat Reader or Preview, and use the export or print-markup method from there.

What if the comments are too small or too large when printed?

Adjust the comment size in your PDF reader before exporting or printing. In Adobe Acrobat Reader, right-click the comment and select Properties to change the font size. You can also try printing at a different page size or scale — the print dialog usually has options for this.

Can I print only certain comments and hide others?

Yes. In Adobe Acrobat Reader, right-click a comment and select Delete to remove it, or use the Comments panel to hide comments by a specific author. In Preview, you can select individual markups and delete them. Make these changes before you export or print.

Does exporting as PDF preserve the exact appearance of comments?

Usually yes, but the appearance may shift slightly depending on fonts and colors available on your printer. Preview the exported PDF before printing to check how it looks. If the layout is wrong, you can adjust comment properties and export again.