Specify trapping details in Acrobat Pro

Last updated on Jun 7, 2026

Learn how to control how adjacent colors interact during printing to avoid gaps and improve output quality.

Trapping adjusts how adjacent colors interact during printing to prevent misregistration gaps. In Acrobat Pro, you can specify trapping options when printing color separations, depending on whether your printer supports In‑RIP trapping.

Before you begin

Ensure your document contains trapping information and your printer and PPD support In-RIP trapping.

Set the trapped state for your PDF

Open your PDF file in Acrobat Pro, then select File > Print and choose a printer.

Select Advanced to open the Advanced Print Setup dialog box.

Select Output from the left panel, then choose an option from the Color menu.

Review the Trapping menu to view whether the PDF contains trapping information:

  • Yes: The file contains trapping information.
  • No: The file doesn’t contain trapping.
  • Unknown: The trapping state can’t be determined.

Your print service provider can recommend the appropriate setting for your workflow.

Select Adobe In‑RIP or Off from the Trapping menu.

Select Trap Presets if you chose Adobe In‑RIP.

Select a trapping preset, then select OK to apply it.

Select OK to close the Advanced Print Setup dialog box, then select Print.