Overview of Printing Generations

This documentation focuses exclusively on ArcGIS Pro-based Printing, which is the current and recommended Printing architecture.

The Legacy Printing solution is still supported in some environments but is no longer the focus of new feature development.

This section helps you:

learn the key differences between Legacy Printing and ArcGIS Pro-based Printing.
determine which printing generation is installed.

Compare Legacy Printing and ArcGIS Pro-based Printing

The table below compares the key features of Legacy Printing and ArcGIS Pro-based Printing.

Area	Legacy Printing	ArcGIS Pro-based Printing
Architecture	Chromium-based	ArcGIS Pro-based
Printing installation	On-prem SaaS subscription	On-prem SaaS subscription
Layouts	Proprietary layout templates	ArcGIS Pro layouts
Layout storage	Managed outside of ArcGIS	Stored as ArcGIS layout portal item
Layout editing	Managed in Studio Printing Designer (Legacy mode only)	Editable in ArcGIS Pro, Studio Printing Designer, and Studio Desktop
Supported layout formats	JSON	PAGX
Output formats	Single-page PDF only	Multi-page PDF, JPG, PNG, SVG, AIX
Advanced print workflows	Not supported	Supported (grid, line, seamless, map books, template packages)
Vector-based output	Not supported	Supported
Legend	Basic	Advanced (dynamic legend pages, smart legends)
Print preview	Mask showing map frame extent	Colored polygon showing map frame extent
Print history	Not available	Available
Debugging and logging	Limited	Enhanced debugging and log downloads
Asynchronous printing	Not supported	Supported
Supported applications	Studio Web, Studio Workflow, Experience Builder	Studio Web, Studio Workflow, Studio Desktop, Experience Builder

The table below lists the indicators in the Printing Designer to identify the Printing generation.

Legacy Printing Indicators	ArcGIS Pro-based Printing Indicators
Only print templates are supported.	Print layouts and layout packages are supported.
Print template thumbnails are labeled "Legacy".	Print layout thumbnails are labeled Pro, and print layout packages are labeled Layout Package.
The term "template" is used.	The term "layout" is used.
Print template imports use the JSON file format.	Print layout imports use the PAGX file format.