Setting postcard as custom paper size in Page Setup

Question

Setting postcard as custom paper size in Page Setup

I am once again in trouble with paper sizes and printing. I want to print standard postcards (13.9 cm wide, 8.8 cm high). I opened a word processor, went to File -> Page Setup, set the printer to Stylus Photo R340; then -> paper size -> manage custom sizes. I set the width and height, set the margins to the printer's ones and named the size 'Postcard (landscape)'.

When I wanted to print a card, I went to Paper Handling -> Scale to fit paper size, I chose 'Postcard (landscape)', un-checked 'Scale down only' and printed. What happened? The card went straight through and my text was printed on the rollers after the card had gone. In other words the printer ignored the postcard paper size and printed as if I had put an A4 or other letter-sized sheet in. What am I doing wrong? This happens with various word-processors.

eMac G4, 1.25 GHz Mac OS X (10.4.8) Printer: Epson Stylus Photo R340

eMac G4, 1.25 GHz Mac OS X (10.4.8)

Posted on Jan 22, 2007 3:56 PM

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Answer 1

Klaus1

Level 9

52,879 points

Jan 22, 2007 4:11 PM in response to Michael Graubart

I opened a word processor

Which word processor? But it shouldn't happen. Page Setup is as much a function of the printer driver - do you have the latest one for your printer?

Also try Repair Permissions. Never does any harm and just might make a difference!

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Answer 2

Jan 23, 2007 1:21 AM in response to Klaus1

Thanks for the 'repair permissions' suggestion. That made no difference. As for word processors, I tried MS Word and AppleWorks. And, yes, I have the latest printer driver.

But here's a bizarre thing: I deleted my postcard paper size and re-did it, but with 14 cm x 9 cm (whole cm numbers) instead of 13.9 x 8.8 — and now it works perfectly well! Can anyone explain that?

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Answer 3

Jan 23, 2007 8:45 AM in response to Michael Graubart

I now have some further detailed information, which makes it all seem even more bizarre. I have now carefully tried three word processors, and I have also tried some slightly different paper size specifications:

WORD: 13.88 x 8.80 works. Size appears under 'Paper handling'.

APPLEWORKS and MELLEL: 13.88 x 8.80 does not work; size does not appear under 'Paper handling' — 'Scale to fit' has to be used, but does not do anything.

ALL THREE: 13.90 x 8.90 works. Size appears under 'Paper handling'. 14.00 x 9.00 also works correctly in all three WPs.

I should be really interested in an explanation, if anyone could supply one.

eMac G4, 1.25 GHz Mac OS X (10.4.8)

eMac G4, 1.25 GHz Mac OS X (10.4.8) Printer: Epson Stylus Photo R340

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