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Q: My printer defaults to print at 4x6 and won't save changes to Print Default Options

I have a Canon MX439 printer that I connect to wirelessly from my Mac (running Mountain Lion).  However anything that prints directly to the printer (without editing the print properties first) comes out scaled down to a 4x6" size.  If I pull up the print options dialog first, even if I don't make any changes to the seemingly correct defaults, and then print, the printouts come out the correct size.

 

Here's what I've done to try to remedy the problem, but without any luck.

  • I have enabled the CUPS web interface and changed the media size from 4x6 (what it was defaulted to) to Letter. Clicked Set Default Options.
    cups_defaults.png
    Here's the resulting overview:
    cups_defaults2.png
    Printing a test page via the CUPS web interface still resulted in a 4x6 print
    printer_testpage.png
  • I verified that the Default paper size property in the System Preferences > Print & Scan panel was set to US Letter.
  • I reset the Printing System to clear all installed printers (I only had one installed)
    printer_resetprintingsystem.png

  • I reinstalled the printer. When I reinstalled the printer then entered the CUPS web interface, the media size was set to 4x6.  I changed it back to Letter, saved changes (which retains the Letter setting), then printed a test page from the CUPS interface; but it still came out as 4x6.
  • I have letter-sized paper in the only tray the printer has
  • Default printing from my two Windows computers to the same printer (done wirelessly) print out correctly at letter size
  • There are no defaults for paper size on the actual printer's LCD menu interface to set/change

 

This is obviously driving me nuts.  For most applications we can bring up the print dialog box, then print, and everything is OK. But there are things like online coupon printers, etc., that print directly to the default printer that don't bring up any kind of print options dialog.  I assume there's a configuration file somewhere that CUPS references, but most of the online posts, etc., I've seen refer to older versions of Mac OSX and don't seem to apply anymore as the configuration files they reference don't exist in my /Library/Preferences directory.  If there's anyone that can help with this it would be GREATLY appreciated!

iMac, OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.2), 2.8 GHz Intel Core i5, 20 GB RAM

Posted on Oct 31, 2013 11:15 AM

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Q: My printer defaults to print at 4x6 and won't save changes to Print Default Options

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