Encountering difficulties printing on 11×14 inch paper isn’t uncommon with raster programs and printers. Many users find themselves needing to scale down prints to fit this specific size. While ideally, printer and software vendors would offer more straightforward solutions, there’s a method using Photoshop that, with a bit of fine-tuning, allows you to achieve your desired 11×14 print. This guide provides a detailed walkthrough to help you print your photos or documents on 11×14 inkjet paper using Photoshop. Keep in mind that while these steps are tailored for Photoshop, the underlying principles can be adapted for other raster editing programs, though you might need to adjust them based on the specific Page Setup processes of each program.
Printer Setup
Let’s configure your printer settings in Photoshop to properly handle your 11×14 prints.
Step 1: Quick Setup
Navigate to the Print settings by selecting File > Print. In the Print dialog box, under “Quick Setup”, choose “Business document”. This initial setting helps prepare the printer for a standard document print, which we will then customize for our specific needs.
Step 2: Main Settings – Media and Quality
Next, switch to the “Main” tab within the Print dialog. Here, you’ll configure essential print settings:
A. Media Type / Paper Source: Carefully select the appropriate options from the dropdown menus for your Media Type and Paper Source. Accurately choosing your paper type (e.g., glossy, matte, etc.) is crucial for optimal print quality and color accuracy. Ensure the Paper Source is correctly set to where your 11×14 paper is loaded in your printer.
B. Print Quality: For Print Quality, select “High” or your preferred quality setting. “High” quality is generally recommended for photos to capture finer details and smoother gradients, but you can adjust this based on your specific print requirements and ink usage considerations.
Step 3: Color Intensity
Still within the “Main” tab, locate the Color Intensity settings. Choose “Manual”. Selecting “Manual” unlocks slider controls, giving you precise adjustments for Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Intensity, and Contrast. These sliders are invaluable for fine-tuning color output. Alternatively, the “Auto” selection might be suitable for certain paper types, letting the printer automatically manage color intensity. Experiment with both to see what yields the best results for your specific paper and image.
Step 4: Scaled Print Size and Position
Return to the main Printer Setup window. This is where we address the 11×14 scaling.
A. Scaled Print Size: Look for “Scaled Print Size”. Enter a percentage value to reduce or enlarge your image size on the paper. Remember that 100% represents the image covering the entire printable area of the page. To fit within the 11×14 dimensions, you will likely need to enter a value less than 100%. Experiment with slightly lower percentages (e.g., 90%, 95%) and perform test prints to determine the optimal scaling for your image and desired margins.
B. Position & Size: The “Center” box, when checked, is intended to center the image on the page. However, it may not function as expected for 11×14 paper in all printer models or Photoshop versions. Uncheck the “Center” box to gain manual control over image positioning. With the box unchecked, you can use the height and width boxes to numerically adjust margin offsets. For a more intuitive approach, you can often visually move the image within the paper rectangle displayed in the preview using your mouse. This visual adjustment is often the easiest way to precisely position your image on the 11×14 paper.
Step 5: Save Your Settings
Finally, in the “Main” tab, find the option to “Save your page setup”. While it’s not definitively clear whether this saves all settings (including scaling and position) or only color, brightness, and paper type information, saving is still a beneficial step. It at least provides a starting point for your next 11×14 print job, potentially saving you time and effort in re-configuring basic settings.
By following these steps, you can effectively use Photoshop to print your photos and documents on 11×14 paper. Remember that some trial and error might be needed to fine-tune the scaling and positioning for your specific printer and image content.
