QGIS 3.16 Could not create print device error (GEOPDF)

Question

I'm having issues exporting a georeferenced map from QGIS using version 3.16.0-Hannover. I'm getting a "could not create print device" error (more information below).

What I'm trying to do:

I'm trying to export a limited view (approximately 50x50km) of a larger data set (vector data of the whole of Sweden) to a georeferenced PDF in order to view it in map software like "Avenza maps" etc.

My issue is the following:

Using QGIS 3.16 I get an error upon trying to export a geopdf from QGIS layout manager. The error reads "could not create print device".

Link to image of error: https://i.sstatic.net/TcSV9.png

The export settings I use are the defaults.

Link to image of export settings: https://i.sstatic.net/u0e2I.png

Example project:

Here's a link to an example project giving me the error (new projects with the same dataset and layout get the same error).

Project link: https://mega.nz/file/S1x0FAYL#SuRhQjFUY_tbyO3iJrLiPsKlEO7G6H4VZ_-_kmwK5nc

Here's what I know/ think so far:

1. I've tried to google the issue but the results provided there has not been helpful for me.
2. Exporting a geopdf directly from map view gives me a similary error ("could not save the map to pdf")
3. Saving a non georeferenced pdf from the same project/ layout and using the same dataset works fine.

What could be the issue?

Answer 1

More of a troubleshooting comment. QGIS 3.18.1 used here to export to geopdf.

No errors or issue exporting this.

but the check in Adobe Illustrator (v25.2.1) shows the Polygon layer 'Markdata riks' is missing or not getting exported.

This might be due to a couple of reasons.

1. Too many vertices in the polygon (you need to generalise the data before export)
2. polygon geometry [fid 109137] issue *see screenshot

I found this polygon has a 'Ring self-intersection' that needs to be fixed. (This was done using the check validity Vector>Geometry Tools>Check Validity)

Nice map though, sharing the project helped looking into issue. hence this comment/reply. hope it helps.

Answer 2

Unchecking “Include vector feature information” worked for me.

Answer 3

Sometimes it helps to turn off the option INCLUDE GEO REFERECNE I find another method: Turn on layers option: rasterized

Answer 4

The error "could not create print device" can arise simply because of trying to overwrite an existing pdf file when that file is open (thus locked). See here. With that in mind I guess this could also mean that it's an error message shown more broadly just to mean 'I can't do that for some unspecified reason'. (Hoping this gets fixed - it caused me a headache today until I found that post.)