print custom photo sizes

Finally, I did it. Here's how: Select all the photos you want to print in the same size. Click print, standard, then for print size click "custom" and input your size. Then all you do is select the paper size that will be big enough for the photos. This is not, by the way, the actual paper size. You are tricking it, really, to save paper and to print your custom sizes, so you don't want it to know your actual paper size. For example, to print three 2x4 pics, I told it I was using 5x7, when I really used 8.5x11.

This won't work for everything--you can't print 5 different sizes at the same time. But it is something, at least.

KMills:

Welcome to the Apple Discussions. iPhoto 6 does not have the option to print a custom size. What you can do is crop the photo with a custom constrain to the size you want and drag it to the desktop. Open the new file with Preview and print from there. You can set the paper size to what you want, slightly larger than the photo, print and then cut to size. In the print window for Preview be sure the radio button Scale to Fix is not selected. Use the Scale: 100% button. That will place the size of photo you want on the paper you selected.

I suggest you cut some plain paper to the paper size you're using for the print test so you don't use the good paper.

TIP: For insurance against the iPhoto database corruption that many users have experienced I recommend making a backup copy of the Library6.iPhoto database file and keep it current. If problems crop up where iPhoto suddenly can't see any photos or thinks there are no photos in the library, replacing the working Library6.iPhoto file with the backup will often get the library back. By keeping it current I mean backup after each import and/or any serious editing or work on books, slideshows, calendars, cards, etc. That insures that if a problem pops up and you do need to replace the database file, you'll retain all those efforts. It doesn't take long to make the backup and it's good insurance.
I've created an Automator workflow application (requires Tiger), iPhoto dB File Backup, that will copy the selected Library6.iPhoto file from your iPhoto Library folder to the Pictures folder, replacing any previous version of it. It's compatible with iPhoto 08 libraries and Leopard. iPhoto does not have to be closed to run the application, just idle. You can download it at Toad's Cellar. Be sure to read the Read Me pdf file.

KMills: Any other ideas? What you suggest does not work. Print preview, with scale to fix unselected, makes the image huge, and with it selected it prints to fit whatever paper size you choose.

Any other ideas? With iPhoto's printing options the way they have it now, it is almost useless. I used to love the N-up option. How can anyone conceive of designing photo printing software that does not allow printing of custom sizes? It's unfathomable!