Print actual size!

[perigalacticon]

When I print an image it doesn't print the real size.  I have resized the image and it always prints the same size taking up most of the page.  I have tried 8"x8" and 5"x5" but it always prints 8.25"x8.25".  I have tried with and without the option "Fit picture to frame", and I checked all the other advanced printer options but there is nothing else that applies.  I also tried saving the picture with different sizes, and resizing it by different ways.  I have an HP Photosmart D110 printer and it works great usually.

 

Can someone help me make this print correctly?

 

Thanks

[Ego Eram Reputo]

Hi perigalacticon - welcome to the forum. Interesting username - I like it!

 

Try using this plugin to print your image:

It has just the option (print to size) that you're looking for.

 

Installation is not as straightforward as a 'regular' plugin. Just follow the instructions posted in that thread and you'll be fine

[perigalacticon]

Thanks I installed it.  I don't see the "print to size" option.  This is very frustrating.

 

On the screen the image is 5" x 5" exactly, as measured by the rulers.  I set the canvas size to 8.5" x 11" as I am printing on standard 8.5"x11" paper, and then resized the image to 5"x5". Is this the correct way to do this?  The original image size is very small and I have to resize it to 5"x5".  I want to print the resized image as shown on the screen at the size of the image shown on the screen which is 5"x5", but it's printing at something like 5.25"x5.25" and I need this to be more precise.  I also tried the options: "use printable area of paper" (it printed ~.2" too large) and "use whole paper area" option (it printed too small by ~.2")  How do I get the right size?

 

Thanks

Edited October 2, 2016 by perigalacticon
added info

[Olaf]

I don't think you should set canvas size to 8.5" x 11", try 5" x 5" and disable fit to frame / paper. 

If the print is 1.05x too larger, divide the canvas size by 1.05 and try again.

[Ego Eram Reputo]

Use the second tab (Layout) to set the print size, margins and position.

[perigalacticon]

That's what I was using, it doesn't print the correct size no matter which option I select.

[Jameson]

For anyone still struggling, it seems noone has been quite resourceful enough to provide a nice answer to any of these questions.

 

1. Resize your image to the size you would like it to be. ex: 5cm x 5cm. Do that either by selecting it with the box selection tool and dragging a corner while holding shift to shrink it, or some other overcomplicated method with resizing your canvas. 

2. With your resized image still selected, crop to the image (Image/Crop to selection). This will remove everything else not selected, so make sure you have everything selected that you with to print.

3. Change the size of your canvas to fit the size of paper you are using. (Image/Canvas Size...) from here it will  open a window, be sure to select "By absolute size", then under print size, change to the dimensions of your paper (standard A4, or printer paper is 29.7cm X 42cm). Click ok.

4. Now reselect your image, move it out of the corner a bit to ensure it isn't cut off by the limits of your printer.

5. Print. as normal.

[Melvin_M_Melvin]

Thanks, Jameson - it's not quite accurate, but a lot closer - Dave  

[Glenn]

Jameson is definitely on the right track.  The trick is the canvas size needs to be the same as the "printable area" of your paper. 

 

For example, I've been trying to print an image to very specific dimensions, 392mm x 160mm.  I know this needs to be printed on A3 paper but setting the canvas size of the image to A3 dimensions does not give me the right image size. It's off by a few mm.  I discovered the printer has hard print margins of 7mm on the leading edge and 2mm on the other edges.  If I reduce the canvas size to account for the print margins, 420mm-7mm-2mm x 297mm-2mm-2mm = 411mm x 293mm,  the image dimensions are perfect.  Print using the defaults on the print dialog.

[Mick Berg]

Thank you. Why does it have to be so complicated? Isn't this something that is often needed?

[midora]

I guess there are some fundamental misunderstandings in this topic.

 

You have to distinguish between the pixel size and the so called print size of an image. The print size is the pixel size multiplied with the dpi value (which you can set in the "Resize..." dialog, which also shows the print size).

 

The standard print feature of the operating system is quite limited. If you like to get exact positioning or sizing of the image then you may use the PrintIt plugin. There are several options to respect your expectations and a preview (which also shows the not printable area of your paper depending an printer and paper).

[TechnoGilles]

The very simple thing to do that worked on the first try for me was to simply save the image and import it in Word. It was immediately the right size when printed.

Edited July 10, 2022 by TechnoGilles
Typo

[hpdonat]

I found a work around by just printing a copy in Microsoft's photo viewer/editor.