WD2000: Drawing Object/AutoShape Fill Pattern Appears As Shading

When you print a document that contains a drawing object or an AutoShape filled with a pattern, the pattern is printed smaller than expected and may appear to be shading rather than a pattern.

NOTE: This problem may occur when you print to a PCL or a PostScript printer.

Use the following steps to decrease the printer resolution when you print the document:

1. Open the document containing the filled pattern drawing or AutoShape object.
2. On the File menu, click Print.
3. In the Print dialog box, click Properties.
4. Click the Graphics tab.
5. Change the Resolution box to a lower value; for example, change it to 150 dots per inch, and then click OK.
6. Click OK to close the Print dialog box and to print the document.

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed at the beginning of this article.

For additional information, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: