Print is too small
- Check whether Fit, Shrink, multiple pages per sheet or booklet mode is active.
- Match the document and loaded paper sizes. An A4 page fitted to Letter must shrink if all page edges are to remain visible.
- If exact dimensions matter, print a known test mark at 100%, one page per sheet. Check for clipping before proceeding.
- Measure both axes and use a correction only when the error is proportional.
For example, a 100 mm line printed at 96% is expected to measure 96 mm. Calculate from your measurements or read Fit versus 100%.
Edges or borders are cut off
- Compare the PDF page size with the loaded sheet.
- Find the printable margins for the selected printer mode; do not assume the whole sheet is usable.
- If reducing the design is acceptable, calculate a fit inside those margins.
- If measurements must stay exact, use larger paper and trim where practical, or revise the layout.
A4 with 5 mm margins leaves 200 × 287 mm. A full-width 210 mm design cannot fit there at 100%. Compare the rectangles and read printable margins.
Photo looks blurry or pixelated
- Check the original image at a useful viewing size. A screenshot or messaging-app copy may contain fewer pixels than the original.
- Read its pixel dimensions and compare them with the chosen physical print size.
- Preview the crop: a tighter crop uses fewer source pixels.
- Check paper and quality settings against the printer’s documentation, then print a small sample.
A 1200 × 1800 image spread across 4 × 6 inches has 300 PPI; across 8 × 12 inches it has 150 PPI. These figures describe density, not a sharpness guarantee. Check the photo size and crop.
Photo content is missing or has white borders
- Compare the image aspect ratio with the requested print format.
- Choose Crop to fill if losing outer content is acceptable, or Fit to preserve the complete image with unused space.
- Check whether the print shop or borderless mode adds its own enlargement.
- Inspect important faces and text in the final print-service preview.
A 4:5 image cannot fill a 2:3 rectangle without cropping or distortion. Preview both placements or read fit versus crop.
Back page is upside down or misaligned
- For an upside-down reverse, inspect long-edge versus short-edge flipping and the document orientation.
- For positional mismatch, check that both sides use the same size and scale.
- Test one sheet with clearly marked top edges before printing a batch.
- If offset or skew varies between sheets, consult the printer’s duplex specifications; a scale correction will not fix variable feeding.
For manual duplex, paper-feed direction depends on the printer. Use a marked-sheet test rather than assuming one universal loading direction. Read the double-sided alignment guide.
Change one setting at a time
Keep a note of the document, application, paper size, selected scale and observed result. This makes the next test useful. If several options change at once, it becomes harder to identify the cause.
These checks address dimensions and layout. For hardware errors, unusual noises, paper-feed faults or maintenance procedures, use the manufacturer’s instructions for your specific model.