The Brother J985DW is a nice printer. I just bought its much bigger brother, the J6935DW, The INKvestment printers are wicked good, IMO, and much easier on the pocketbook over time.

Unfortunately, we will need to know a lot more about what and how you are trying to do it as there are many possible causes. You may even want to call Brother support since many of this printer's functions are nestled into sub menus. As I found out, it's not intuitive compared to, say, an HP.

Yes, I love the INKvestment. They last forever. Nice print quality, too.

What info do you need? And how do I send screenshots?

From the topic housekeeping rules:

1. Include your operating system version and software version numbers.
2. Please be sure to include a brief description of the issue.
3. Include the steps that it takes to replicate the problem (if applicable).
4. Setting up the desired result versus the actual result can be crucial in clearly communicating the issue you are having.

In your case, probably best to include which drivers also. In short, you need to describe exactly how you are trying to print a color pdf from Finale. There's a chance that you're not doing something right — but what?

Screen shots are easy. You can load JPEG and PNG graphics. 

Have you checked your printer options?

I did try that and it didn't work.

I will post some other info soon.

I used microsoft Publisher to make the cover file and saved it as a PDF cover file.

In Finale, I inserted a blank page at the beginning of the piece and then used the Graphics Tool to insert the PDF cover file.

I used Print in Finale to print the score. Settings are attached.

The cover only printed in B&W.

I saved the Finale file as a PDF and printed it from Adobe Reader and it printed the cover in color.

What should I do?

Personally, I would print the cover separately, from the program that created it.

If one has a PDF editing program, one can replace the blank title page you create in Finale with the PDF of your color cover.

To J Adrian Verkouteren,

I did paste a PDF file in the blank title page.

I also noticed that if you change/alter the PDF file it automatically updates in Finale. Cool!

The page must be linked to the file name.

Still no solution yet.

I'm encountering the same issue:

I've created a cover page with a color background (same method as described by Andrew Nowak in a post of 6 years ago --Please see Andrews' post above). Even though I've checked the "Display colors" box in Finale's Print Dialog Box, the cover page prints only in B&W.

• I used MS Word to make the cover file and saved it as a PDF cover file.
• In Finale, I inserted a blank page at the beginning of the piece and then used the Graphics Tool to insert the PDF cover file.
• I used Print in Finale to print the score:
• 
• The cover only printed in B&W:

… Even though I've checked the "Display colors" box in Finale's Print Dialog Box, the cover page prints only in B&W …

This is a misunderstanding - the “Display Colors” are only the colors Finale uses for displaying various music notation items in the document window.

Take a look in Preferences - Display Colors

What I would do:

1) Create the Finale document without the blank page at the beginning.

2) “Print” the Finale document to a PDF file.

Now you have two PDF files: the cover page and the PDF with the remaining pages.

3) Merge the two PDF files into one.

Hopefully, Peter’s solution does what you want. If not, we need to know your Finale version and build, OS and how you are printing to pdf including the version of the app if not Preview (Mac) or MS Print to PDF (PC). All are important.

Thanks Peter & Mike for your prompt responses!

Peter's suggestion offers a practical solution--which I'm willing to bet is going to fit the bill. --Thanks Peter!

I don't know what I can contribute that will help but it does work as it is supposed to. I make my front cover pages in Photoshop but I don't see that as a difference. I have the Brother Business Smart MFC-J6545DW large format printer. Finale 27.4.1 prints this score in all its glorious color with out issue or any special setting that I can tell.

I always print my scores in concert 9x12 size and with the Brother is no problem either. It is more difficult to find and purchase good 9x12 paper than the printing is.

I have Windows Vista running Finale 2014.5 with a Brother J985DW printer.

Perhaps this is the issue because of the ancient Vista OS version. I have Windows 11 and the latest Brother print drivers. In my case I used to use third party PDF software to do prints but lately I have done it all from within Finale and the Brother. I have a binding machine and actually make a completed score right here. It sure saves a lot of money not using the local print shop which did a beautiful job but my results is very nearly as nice.

Just as a side note on the 9x12 concert size printing, I also have an HP large format printer (Officejet Pro 7740) and have had it for years. I have as of today never found a way to make it print on 9x12 paper. It will print on 8x14 and 11x17 but will not do 9x12 at least any way I have found. The HP is way more problematic than the Brother anyway so that may explain that problem.

Andrew and Jp,

I would be willing to take a look at your score and see if it prints correctly for me. Send it to me at e e biggs one at gmail dot com. Use conventual email verbiage with no spaces and the number 1 instead of one.