Why are my print sizes coming out the wrong size.

RonaldM3 · **Joined:** Sep 14, 2016 **Posts:** 4

GIMP Version: 2.8.14
Operating System: Linux
OS Version: 14.04 GIMP 2.8.10
GIMP Experience: New User

Hello! I am having a major issue, that I can't figure out what I am doing wrong. I open a image and it's on my gimp screen and I want to resize it to print off. I set the print size to 30 to 50mm or 3 by 5 cm and copy the image. Next I open a new image that is 8.5 by 11 blank a empty sheet and paste to layer feature. I have to resize the photo. It's correct but when I print it, it comes out the wrong size. What am I doing wrong? I thought I was doing it correct.

Wallace · **Posted:** Thu Sep 15, 2016 9:14 pm **(#2)**

Have you tried changing the image resolution to about 300 ppi?

RonaldM3 · **Joined:** Sep 14, 2016 **Posts:** 4

Yeah it's all set correctly. I just checked it out. Have you downloaded it and checked it.

RonaldM3 · **Joined:** Sep 14, 2016 **Posts:** 4

Im new to this

Wallace · **Posted:** Thu Sep 15, 2016 9:41 pm **(#5)**

RonaldM3 wrote:

Yeah it's all set correctly. I just checked it out. Have you downloaded it and checked it.

I've looked at the xcf file and the resolution does say that it's 300ppi.

Is the xcf file a copy of your print out,
or is that the original file?

Also are you printing from Gimp?
If you are.
I don't recommend using Gimp for printing.

I would save the file as a .png at 300pi.
Then use whatever printing software you have available for printing.

Odinbc · **Posted:** Fri Sep 16, 2016 12:24 am **(#6)**

RonaldM3 wrote:

Yeah it's all set correctly. I just checked it out. Have you downloaded it and checked it.

Your white image background is OK at 300 PPI. The problem appears to be your image were not prepared beforehand. They will probably print very small or stretched and blurry.

It's OK to start with a 300 PPI canvas like you have. Before you add your images, separately change their print size to 300 PPI. It will be obvious to see whether they have the native resolution to print the size you want. If the images don't work at 300 PPI reduce their PPI (to a minimum of 150 PPI) until they work for you. Use this compromise PPI on all your images. Use the same PPI on your canvas, make sure the background dimensions (w/h) are what you need. Add your images.
FYI, 150+ PPI will be fine for printing a mixed poster style like this.

rich2005 · **Joined:** Mar 04, 2011 **Posts:** 2615

I think, some inadvertent user error before that file was assembled.

Quote:

...I set the print size to 30 to 50mm or 3 by 5 cm and copy the image...

The photo must have been square, or near square, to start with, scaling to 30 x 50 mm is the result. Want 3 x 5 then crop the original and lose part of the image.
screenshot: http://imgur.com/3gyGgMb

The next possible is paper margins, depending on setup, the printer might enforce margins resulting in slightly smaller dimensions. About 3% here. Several solutions for this, easiest is crop the US Paper size canvas down a little before starting.
screenshot: http://imgur.com/wRrGOrw

Looks like you are using Ubuntu, (big) if your printer is supported, worth installing the gutenprint plugin.

rich2005 · **Joined:** Mar 04, 2011 **Posts:** 2615

Revising my thoughts as to the problem

although it should not affect a copy/paste, it is something to look out for.

Again it is using print size(or scale image) incorrectly for scaling.

This is the same 'layer-merge-options' image from gimp docs.
Scaling by breaking the link between X and Y is not the way. That applies to both the print size (shown) and scale image dialogs.
screenshot: http://imgur.com/wfNMpDz

Does not appear to make any difference until dot-for-dot is turned off. This gives (at 100% zoom) how the image will look printed.
screenshot: http://imgur.com/Wx3qo2M

Remember to turn dot-for-dot back on for regular Gimp use.
If you need to scale the image keep X and Y resolutions equal.

RonaldM3 · **Joined:** Sep 14, 2016 **Posts:** 4

What is the difference for the Merge layers, flatten image. Merging layers is a major issue for me. I'm new. I want all layers in the image all as one and next resize the image. Step by step please.
Thx Ron

sallyanne · **Posted:** Fri Sep 16, 2016 6:31 am **(#10)**

Starting Out - http://docs.gimp.org/2.8/en/getting-started.html

ofnuts · **Joined:** Oct 25, 2010 **Posts:** 4812

http://graphicdesign.stackexchange.com/ ... sideration

mahvin · **Joined:** Oct 06, 2010 **Posts:** 4050

I'm going to reiterate Wallace's point. The easiest way to get your printing done would be to use your printer's own software, if you have it available to use on Ubuntu, and work your prints out from that, rather than trying to use GIMP. I have gutenprint installed on my system and I do use it from time to time, but have found that using Epson's Print Manager works far better and gives me the ability to preview my print and tailor it before printing.

Rashid · **Joined:** Dec 29, 2015 **Posts:** 223

Hi There,

I set legal size canvas in gimp 300 ppi and then create my image. When I print it using Gimp last three quarters of an inch of the canvas disappear on the print. Why is it so?

Attachment:

PW 1.png [ 214.3 KiB | Viewed 6229 times ]

I even matched the resolution in the print dialogue.

Thanks

Wallace · **Posted:** Fri Oct 13, 2017 10:52 am **(#14)**

Rashid wrote:

Hi There,

I set legal size canvas in gimp 300 ppi and then create my image.
When I print it using Gimp last three quarters of an inch of the canvas disappear on the print.
Why is it so?

Attachment:

PW 1.png

I even matched the resolution in the print dialogue.

Thanks

Have you tried extending the canvas boundaries,
leaving some space on all sides of your image?
To see if this helps.

Such as in the image below.

Rashid · **Joined:** Dec 29, 2015 **Posts:** 223

Hi Mr. Wallace,
Leaving some space/margin when not required would make the print out for printing useless. Am I right?
Thanks.

Wallace · **Posted:** Fri Oct 13, 2017 11:52 am **(#16)**

Rashid wrote:

Hi Mr. Wallace,
Leaving some space/margin when not required would make the print out for printing useless.
Am I right?
Thanks.

Not necessarily.
Doing this is called Bleed,
or Page Bleed.
It was widely used in printing books and a like.
I use it for printing of my image,
when using an online printing service and am able to better adjust the print size I need.
Due to the space left on all sides.
I just thought that giving this a try,
might help to not cut off any of your image.

Rashid · **Joined:** Dec 29, 2015 **Posts:** 223

Hi Wallace,

Thanks. I was familiar with the terms like 'bleed' or 'gutter'. But I didn't know how to put it into practice in a home laser jet hp1320. I should have used paper larger than 8 x 14 inches with extra 1/8inch space all around as bleed. Afterwards I should have trimmed the paper to exact 8 x 14 inches. Am I right. How would I know the margin areas inside the printer. Manual doesn't has any such information.

Thanks.

Wallace · **Posted:** Fri Oct 13, 2017 10:43 pm **(#18)**

Rashid wrote:

Hi Wallace,

Thanks. I was familiar with the terms like 'bleed' or 'gutter'. But I didn't know how to put it into practice in a home laser jet hp1320. I should have used paper larger than 8 x 14 inches with extra 1/8inch space all around as bleed. Afterwards I should have trimmed the paper to exact 8 x 14 inches. Am I right. How would I know the margin areas inside the printer. Manual doesn't has any such information.

Thanks.

Most brands of printers have their own proprietary setting.

My printer (an inexpensive HP) has what it calls,
border and borderless printing.

That's why,
I always have any printing,
which matters down elsewhere,
such as online.

I recently had a few poster made,
form images I created using GIMP.

I uploaded the images to an online printer,
with and without borders.
The images without borders would not print as I wanted.
By adding a boarder/space around my image.
I was able to size the image correctly,
to what I wanted.

This may,
or not apply to the type of printing you wish to do,
however if the printing isn't very important.
You can try leaving some space and trim the print,
as you described.

On the other hand.
If the printing is important.
I would not use a home/retail printer.

rich2005 · **Joined:** Mar 04, 2011 **Posts:** 2615

It depends on the printer. Many require a margin 10 or 12 mm to push the paper through. Have a look in the printer specs.

Just because you can set borderless and 300 ppi does not mean the printer accepts these settings
This one invalid settings https://i.imgur.com/EwlwxaJ.jpg
Un-tick borderless, tick it again and get a correct setting. The image is scaled to accommodate the printer requirements. https://i.imgur.com/skvHK9E.jpg

This is very common, especially with A4. If it is possible, crop the image a small amount which permits printing at 300 ppi. https://i.imgur.com/P5fKYPl.jpg

This showing the image in gutenprint. HP is well supported, gutenprint is in the 'buntu repo. Despite what Mahvin wrote earlier. Worth installing if your printer works with it. https://i.imgur.com/6YpvbWu.jpg

edit: the specs give a 4 mm border all round.

You need to trim at least that off the full US-legal image to print at 300 ppi.

gtoal · **Joined:** Aug 05, 2018 **Posts:** 1

I realise I'm replying to an old post but a current version of Gimp (2.8 Portable) still does what the OP mentioned - I spent a day, and half my ink supply, trying to resize an image for printing by using the print resolution option. I finally found the solution by accident: if you load the .xcf version of your image, changing the print resolution does not seem to work. However loading an exported png (or any other pixel format) *does* allow the change of print resolution to work. This seems inexplicable to me. (This is independent of the 'dot for dot' setting, which I tried both ways)

Graham