printing multiple copies per page, not multiple pages per sheet

I have the same problem... I am trying to print out multiple pages per sheet of A4 paper... c'mon apple!

Someone please help!

Hi Folks -

Although it is important to you, this is not something that is commonly done. Otherwise more programs would include the capability.

Not that you can't get it done, but the feature you are trying to use isn't designed to work that way. It's intended to print pages 1 thru 4 - or 4 separate pages - on a single sheet of paper. BTW- it has nothing to do with Apple. It is a function of the printer driver (furnished by the printer mfr) and the software you're printing with.

Specifics will vary depending on the program involved, but you essentially need X# of pages with the same content on each page. In PowerPoint, for example, you can just duplicate a slide 3 times & choose to print Handouts 4 slides per page.

HTH |:>)

I don't completely believe that this is completely
due to the drivers from the printer manufacturer.

Nor did I say that it is. The software from which the doc is being printed is even more important re page layout options.

After-all, you don't have to have a printer installed
at all to make use of the print to PDF functions.

Actually, you do. In OS X the pdf driver is built in & without it you would need some other one. However, the term 'print to pdf' is a little misleading as it actually pertains to _saving a file_ to disk in pdf format. You still need a printer to get that file to paper or other stock, and that printer requires a driver of some sort.

Because of this I'm inclined to think this has to do
with the printing/PDF-Quartz capabilities of the OS.

You're entitled to think what you wish, but nothing in this statement pertains to page layout, which is what this whole issue revolves around. Quartz isn't even involved as it has to do with graphics rendering involving color, transparency & blending. Again, nothing to do with placement of content on a printed page.

Obviously it wasn't designed to work this exact way
or it would work this exact way.

I have no idea what this statement means.

You can say it's not commonly done and that would
apply to anything other than printing off one full
sized copy of any single page. Using Quartz filters
isn't "commonly done" but it's available.

Not true... mailing labels, multipage spreads, thumbnails, reductions/enlargements, ad infinitum are far more frequently done than printing the same content on the same sheet multiple times. As I said, however, there are provisions for doing so when the need arises.

I've seen
plenty of Windows users do this when making
directions to a party or what not.

I'm sure you have seen such results & I have done the exact same type of output hundreds of times on both Windows & Mac platforms as well as others... but not in the manner you are attempting to get it done. As you've found out, that just doesn't work.

I find it a bit
frustrating that you can't choose to have the page
layout set before or after the number of copies is
set.

In any program you typically do specify page layout before number of copies... in fact, that is the cruxt of the issue. But getting the same content to repeat on a single page is not a matter of page layout and is not a function of the print operation unless you're dealing with commercial devices.

Powerpoint/Keynote slides is a workaround but it's
something that really should be in the print workflow.

That was just one example. There are numerous others, but as I said, the choices vary depending on the application from which the document is being printed.

Good Luck & have a Happy New Year!

Regards |:>)

My appologies...

I had completely forgotten about an old technique as I haven't used it in a number of years - it provides nowhere near the control I need in the print jobs I do. However, if you want to give it a spin, here it is.

In the Print dialog field for Page Range enter 1,1,1,1
Leave the #Pages @ 1
Set Pages per Sheet to 4

HTH |:>)

Before I posted it I tried it on my system... I almost always test before I post. Working with a Dual 2 Gig G5, OS X 10.4.3 & an Epson R800 I had no problem with it printing from Word 11.2 - what software are you using? That may make a difference.

Regards |:>)

Neither of those programs implement the feature in the Print dialog. It is apparently available only in the more sophisticated programs. In Word, InDesign, & others there is an additional field rather than just the Page [3] thru [5] type of option. You can also designate a more complex range such as [3,5,8-12,14,21-23] as a single print job.

Regards |:>)

I only got it to work on powerpoint - when you choose slide payouts. Plus my printer suddenly found some kind of formatting tool which allows me to change layouts - i.e. sheets per page... fantastic. Epson printer.