Problems with borderless printing with iPhoto '08 and HP Photosmart Printer

Question

Problems with borderless printing with iPhoto '08 and HP Photosmart Printer

I am trying to print borderless 4x6 photos on HP Photosmart C6250 (same as all HP C62xx Photosmart printers). I am using the HP 4x6 photo paper with the perforated tab. When I select the paper size, I specify Borderless 4x6 in/10 x15 cm (tab). According to the printer manual, the tab should be facing out. I have tried printing with tab out and the tab in. With tab in, it printed the picture leaving white space at the other end equal to length of tab. With tab out as printer specified, it left a white gap at beginning of photo (not as wide as tab) and printed the photo over the perforated tab.

Anyone else figured out how to print using the 4x6 paper with tabs. I also tried printing from the HP software included with the printer and it has issues, too. So, it might be an HP problem, or is it maybe a Mac printing issue with this printer.

Thanks for any help!

Barbara

iMac Intel Mid-2007; 2GB RAM; 2.4Gz; 320GB HD, Mac OS X (10.5.4), MBP 2.2GHz Intel Core 2 Duo; 2GB RAM; 160GB HD; 10.5.4

Posted on Aug 9, 2008 11:39 AM

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Answer 1

Aug 9, 2008 11:13 PM in response to Barbara Batchelder

I have been experimenting trying to print from different programs and also directly from the printer from a photo card. If I use the 4x6 photo paper with the tab, it leaves the tab-size white space at the beginning and prints the picture over the tab part. As stated, I've tried the tab facing in and facing out and have problems either way.

However, if I use 4x6 photo paper without the tab, I am getting an almost borderless print (there is a narrow white strip on one side). So, the problem seems to be in how the printer is handling the paper with the tab. Anyone else seen problems with this?

I tried simply removing the tab from the paper, but apparently this printer has something where it auto detects the paper by some markings on the back of the photo paper. So, even without the tab, it apparently knows it should have a tab and leaves a tab-size white gap on the print. Does anyone know how to override the auto-detect feature of the printer?

Barbara

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Answer 2

Old Toad

Level 10

215,718 points

Aug 10, 2008 10:37 AM in response to Barbara Batchelder

Barbara:

This is a shot in the dark but take a look at the following topic. It might just help. As they say, any port in a storm.

Topic : iphoto won't print properly to HP photosmart

It does seem like a bizarre solution however. Good luck.

TIP: For insurance against the iPhoto database corruption that many users have experienced I recommend making a backup copy of the Library6.iPhoto (iPhoto.Library for iPhoto 5 and earlier) 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 or later), 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 6 and 7 libraries and Tiger 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.

Note: There now an Automator backup application for iPhoto 5 that will work with Tiger or Leopard.

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Answer 3

Aug 10, 2008 11:52 AM in response to Old Toad

Thanks for your response--I am trying anything. I had not found this option to export into the HP Photosmart print settings, but unfortunately this didn't fix my problem. I got the same results as when I printed from the iPhoto print settings as well as even printing directly from HP Photosmart "creative" software that gets installed with the printer. I also tried printing directly from a photo card in the printer without involving the computer thinking if it was something in Leopard or HP driver, it would print correctly. However, even when not going through the computer, it does the same thing. It is a problem with the way the printer handles this photo paper with the tabs. I cut out some 4x6 pieces from a full sheet of non-HP photo paper and ran those through. It prints those pretty close to borderless (very narrow white strip on one edge).

Any other ideas you have, send them on! I've tried contacting HP, but they don't provide technical support for Mac users on Sundays.

Barbara

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