There are two ways to print Report Cards in Gradelink: you can either print directly from your browser or you can download a PDF version of the report card and then print that.



Generally speaking, Gradelink recommends downloading the PDF version of the report card and then printing it rather than printing report cards directly from your browser.


The reason we recommend printing a PDF rather than printing from your browser is because printer settings will often differ slightly between browsers, operating systems, and even printers. Printing a PDF makes it far more likely that you will achieve a consistent result each time.


Here are some tips on how to make the printing process as simple as possible:

  1. Generating and Printing a PDF
    1. Adobe Acrobat Reader
    2. Google Chrome PDF
  2. Printing a Report Card from the Browser
    1. Chrome
    2. Edge
    3. Firefox
    4. Safari

Generating and Printing a PDF with Adobe Acrobat Reader

Adobe's Acrobat Reader (also called "Reader DC") is free software that allows users to view, comment on, and print PDFs.


After downloading the PDF version of the report card that you would like to print, open it in Acrobat Reader. You should see an interface similar to this:


Note: The following screenshots were taken using the macOS version of Acrobat Reader. The interface may look slightly different on a Windows machine.


Next, click on the Printer icon in the top left. A window with various settings should appear.



There are two pieces of information you should look for: Page Sizing and Orientation.


Page Sizing helps make sure that the document size matches the intended size of the report card. For example, the "Letter-Landscape" report card is intended to be used with Letter-sized paper (8.5 x 11"). If you aren't sure what size paper you should be using for your report card, please click here.


Additionally, while the page size will default to "Actual Size", you may need to adjust it using the "Fit" setting or by entering a "Custom Scale" percentage. If you're going to enter a "Custom Scale", Gradelink recommends setting the value no lower than 95%.


Next, make sure that the page orientation matches the intended orientation. For example, the "Letter-Landscape" report card is intended to be printed using the Landscape orientation. If you aren't sure what orientation you should be using for your report card, please click here.


After making sure the settings are correct, click on the Print button in the bottom right corner of the window.


Generating and Printing a PDF with Google Chrome

Google Chrome is primarily an Internet Browser, but it can also serve as a basic PDF generator.


After downloading the PDF version of the report card and opening it in Google Chrome, you should see an interface like this:


Note: The following screenshots were taken using the macOS version of Google Chrome. The interface may look slightly different on a Windows machine.


Next, click on the Printer icon in the top right. A window with various settings should appear. Expand the "More settings" menu if it doesn't open automatically.



There are two key pieces of information you should look for: Paper Size and Scale.


Google Chrome's PDF engine should automatically select the appropriate paper size for you, but if it doesn't you can select the paper size from the drop-down menu. If you aren't sure what size paper you should be using for your report card, please click here.


Next, double-check that the scale is configured appropriately. If it looks like your report card is too close to one of the edges of the page, you can check the box labeled "Fit to Page" or enter your own custom scale. If you are going to enter a custom scale, Gradelink recommends setting this value no lower than 95%.


After making sure the settings are correct, click on the Print button in the top left corner of the window.

Printing a Report Card in Google Chrome

After generating a report card, click on the Print icon near the top of the report card page to open the Print menu.



There are several things Administrators should look for prior to printing report cards:

  1. Confirm Layout and Paper Size - Paper Size and Layout should default to the correct values, but just in case they don't it is helpful to double-check these fields. If you aren't sure what the correct paper size and layout are for your report card, please click here.
  2. Adjust Margins - Some schools require particular margins for their report cards, and margins should be configured after selecting a Layout and Paper Size.
  3. Adjust Scale - While report cards are generated in Gradelink with specific paper sizes in mind, it may sometimes be necessary to adjust the scale of the report card manually. Gradelink recommends setting this value no lower than 95%.
  4. Enable Background Graphics - Gradelink generates report cards in 'layers', and while most of the report card is on a single layer additional content such as watermarks, school logos, and certain colors are located on secondary layers. Enabling Background Graphics will ensure that all of the report card shows up when printing.

When you're confident that your report card looks the way it should, click the Print button at the top of the window.

Printing a Report Card in Microsoft Edge

After generating a report card, click on the Print icon near the top of the report card page to open the Print menu.



There are several things that Administrators should look for prior to printing report cards:

  1. Confirm Orientation - Orientation should default to the correct value, but just in case it doesn't it is helpful to double-check this field. If you aren't sure what the correct orientation is for your report card, please click here.
  2. Adjust Scale and Margins - Entering a custom Scale will let you manually adjust the size of the report card by a specific percentage. Additionally, some schools require particular margins for their report cards, and margins should be configured after adjusting the scale.
  3. Remove Headers and footers - Occasionally, a school may want to include information such as the Title of the report card, the Page number, or the Date and Time when the report card was generated in the Header/Footer. If that's the case, make the appropriate selections in the Page Headers and Page Footers menus. Otherwise, keep this setting turned off.
  4. Confirm Paper size - Like Orientation, Paper Size should default to the correct value, but just in case it doesn't it is helpful to double-check. In Edge, Paper Size can be found after clicking on "More Settings".



When you're confident that you have configured everything correctly, click the Print button at the bottom of the window.

Printing a Report Card in Mozilla Firefox

After generating a report card, click on the Print icon near the top of the report card page to open the Print menu.



There are several things that Administrators should look for prior to printing report cards:

  1. Confirm Paper Size and Orientation - Paper Size and Orientation should default to the correct values, but just in case they don't it is helpful to double-check these fields. If you aren't sure what the correct paper size and orientation are for your report card, please click here.
  2. Either enable Ignore Scaling and Shrink to Fit Page Width or enter a custom Scale - While report cards are generated in Gradelink with specific paper sizes in mind, it may sometimes be necessary to adjust the scale of the report card manually.
    1. Ignore Scaling and Shrink to Fit Page Width will shrink the report card as much as necessary in order for the width to appropriately match the width of the paper.
    2. Entering a custom Scale will let you manually adjust the size of the report card by a specific percentage. You can even increase the size of the report card, if it's necessary.
  3. Enable Print Background Colors and Print Background Images - Gradelink generates report cards in 'layers', and while most of the report card is on a single layer additional content such as watermarks, school logos, and certain colors are located on secondary layers. Enabling these settings will ensure that all of the report card shows up when printing.
  4. Remove Headers and Footers - Occasionally, a school may want to include information such as the Title of the report card, the Page number, or the Date and Time when the report card was generated in the Header/Footer. If that's the case, make the appropriate selections in the Page Headers and Page Footers menus.

When you're confident that you have configured everything correctly, click the Print button at the bottom of the window.

Printing a Report Card in Apple Safari

After generating a report card, click on the Print icon near the top of the report card page to open the Print menu.



There are several things that Administrators should look for prior to printing report cards:

  1. Confirm Paper Size and Orientation - Paper Size and Orientation should default to the correct values, but just in case they don't it is helpful to double-check these fields. If you aren't sure what the correct paper size and orientation are for your report card, please click here.
  2. Adjust the Scale - Entering a custom Scale will let you manually adjust the size of the report card by a specific percentage. You can even increase the size of the report card, if it's necessary.
  3. Enable Print backgrounds and disable Print headers and footers - Gradelink generates report cards in 'layers', and while most of the report card is on a single layer additional content such as watermarks, school logos, and certain colors are located on secondary layers. Enabling "Print backgrounds" will ensure that all of the report card shows up when printing. Occasionally, a school may want to include information in the Header or Footer, but if that's not the case we recommend turning this setting off.