Why won't preview print the actual size of the photo?

Question

Level 1

8 points

Why won't preview print the actual size of the photo?

Why can't I print directly from Photoshop instead of having to print through preview? I believe I've checked the proper settings in preview preference but it keeps scaling my photos.

IMAC, Mac OS X (10.6.4), 3.06 GHz Intel

Posted on Oct 5, 2010 10:14 AM

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Answer 1

jayvee2

Level 1

25 points

Oct 5, 2010 11:03 AM in response to Rusty K

Hi, Rusty--
Can you please elaborate? Exactly what happens when you try to print from Photoshop? Thanks.

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Answer 2

Rusty K Author

Level 1

8 points

Oct 5, 2010 11:42 AM in response to jayvee2

Well I'm not sure how to better explain but the photo is scaled for some reason. These are CD graphics and size is critical. They are not to the dimensions that I set them as.

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Answer 3

jayvee2

Level 1

25 points

Oct 5, 2010 11:58 AM in response to Rusty K

Sorry, I guess I was asking about why you're printing through Preview. Does Preview automatically come up when you try to print? Anyway, It's either a scaling issue with Photoshop (in page setup) or in the print dialog box. Regardless, It's not a Mac issue per se. If all these appear correct to you, I suggest Adobe's Photoshop support. Here's a link to something that similar (even though it's for Acrobat).
Hope this helps!
http://forums.adobe.com/message/2893816

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Answer 4

macjack

Level 10

111,168 points

Oct 5, 2010 12:03 PM in response to Rusty K

I can print out of Adobe Photoshop CS3, not sure why you can't...
The trick with Preview is to tab out of the Scale field after you enter the new value.
This tip from John Blanchard.

-mj

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Answer 5

Rusty K Author

Level 1

8 points

Oct 5, 2010 12:07 PM in response to jayvee2

No whether or not I'm in photoshop makes no difference...the preview diag box opens so there I am. Can I unselect Preview as the default printing sofware?

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Answer 6

Rusty K Author

Level 1

8 points

Oct 5, 2010 12:08 PM in response to macjack

Please explain "tab out"

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Answer 7

jayvee2

Level 1

25 points

Oct 5, 2010 12:10 PM in response to Rusty K

After entering the value, hit the "tab" button. That locks in the value. (Sorry. Rusty, for jumping in on that one!)

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Answer 8

Rusty K Author

Level 1

8 points

Oct 5, 2010 12:31 PM in response to jayvee2

Sorry for being so dumb...but "enter the value" I'm not sure what this means. No need to apologize for trying to help...I'm thankful.

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Answer 9

jayvee2

Level 1

25 points

Oct 5, 2010 12:38 PM in response to Rusty K

When in Page Setup either in the application or the printer dialog box, you can manually enter the scaling such as 25, 75, or 100 (percent). After entering that, you should hit the Tab button. That will "set" the value.

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Answer 10

Rusty K Author

Level 1

8 points

Oct 5, 2010 12:43 PM in response to jayvee2

Let's just stick to Preview for now since it seems to take over all my printing chores. Besides I think I've covered all those bases in Photoshop. But, if you can tell me how to eliminate Preview from the printing chain that would be good too.

Message was edited by: Rusty K

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Answer 11

macjack

Level 10

111,168 points

Oct 5, 2010 1:42 PM in response to Rusty K

Rusty, you always get a preview before printing whether from Preview.app or from PS.

This is the dialogue I get printing from within PS....

and this is the one I get printing through preview...

I'm not sure what your issue is with printing from PS, perhaps try on the Adobe forums?

-mj

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Answer 12

Rusty K Author

Level 1

8 points

Oct 5, 2010 3:31 PM in response to macjack

Yes I've work with PS for several years and I understand page set up. Preview is not printing what I have set up at the proper dimensions. I've tried saved file just with Preview and gone back to PS to redo from the beginning and Preview continues to scale my work.

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Answer 13

Rusty K Author

Level 1

8 points

Oct 5, 2010 3:51 PM in response to Rusty K

I think I figured it out...under View, Preview defaults to "Automatic Resize" every time it's opened. I have to deselect this and select "Actual Size"...fine but how can I change this default setting? It's annoying a wasteful (if I forget) to have to do this on every print.

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Answer 14

macjack

Level 10

111,168 points

Oct 5, 2010 3:57 PM in response to Rusty K

Yes, look under Preview > Preferences > Images and PDFs...
I still don't get why PS would do that... have you tried deleting your PS preferences?

-mj

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Answer 15

Rusty K Author

Level 1

8 points

Oct 5, 2010 5:15 PM in response to macjack

Ok...did that and everthing looks ok. I had previously changed my options trying to fix this problem...

Pref...Under Images I've had Initial Scale set to "Actual Size" and under Define Image Scale to..."Size on screen equals size on printout"

Pref...PDF Scale is set to 100% and "Size on screen equals size on printout"

How do I delete Prefs?

Message was edited by: Rusty K

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