Thanks for the reply Sarkut, I haven't tried the plug-in yet but was assuming there was some setting ie. dpi or other that was the problem. Being somewhat obsessive when it comes to fixing a problem this is making my brain hurt! Also there are other programs I print from and this fix seems is specific to Paint.Net. It all seems so simple and basic, size the image and print, perhaps this isn't a graphics related issue but one related to my HP 7280 printer settings since the same problem occurs when printing from other programs such as XnView, thank goodness I am using a CIS ink supply.
I have had success on some occasions especially using the "Print Cover" feature from Ashampoo Burning Studio but even that doesn't always work.
Anyway thanks for the reply, I will give it a shot.
"One way or another this darkness got to give."