A shape with a pattern fill does not print as expected in Word for Mac

Consider the following scenario. In a Microsoft Word for Mac document, you create a shape with a gradient fill. Then, you create another shape with a pattern fill. You organize these shapes so that the shape with the pattern fill overlaps the shape with the gradient fill. In this scenario, the shape with the pattern fill does not print as expected. The part of the pattern fill that overlaps the gradient fill appears white in the printed document.

This problem occurs if the following conditions are true:

• You print to a PostScript printer.
• You initiate the print job from the Print dialog box. To open the Print dialog box, click Print on the File menu.

Note This problem does not occur if you click the Print icon on the Standard toolbar.

The PostScript engine in Mac OS X cannot print overlapping gradient fills and pattern fills in Microsoft Word for Mac.

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed in the "Applies to" section.

This problem occurs in the following versions of Mac OS X:

• Mac OS X 10.3.5
• Mac OS X 10.3.6
• Mac OS X 10.3.7
• Mac OS X 10.3.8
• Mac OS X 10.3.9

This problem occurs in the following versions of Microsoft Word for Mac:

• Microsoft Word X for Mac version 10.1.5
• Microsoft Word X for Mac version 10.1.6
• Microsoft Word 2004 for Mac

This problem does not occur in the following versions of Mac OS X:

• Mac OS X 10.4
• Mac OS X 10.4.1
• Mac OS X 10.4.2