Printing photos or photo documents on 11×14 inch inkjet paper in Photoshop can present some unique challenges, often mirrored across various raster editing programs. While ideally printer and software vendors would streamline this process, there’s a practical workaround to achieve scaled-down prints on 11×14 paper. This guide provides a detailed, step-by-step method using Photoshop to help you successfully print your 11×14 photos.
Printer Setup for 11×14 Photo Printing
To begin, you need to configure your printer settings within Photoshop to accommodate 11×14 photo printing.
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Initial Print Settings: Navigate to
File > Print. In the Print dialog box, start by selectingQuick Setup > Business document. This initial setting helps establish a baseline before fine-tuning for photo printing. -
Media and Quality Adjustments: Proceed to
File > Print > Main. Here, you will adjust settings specific to your media and desired print quality:-
Media Type / Paper Source (A): Carefully choose the appropriate options from the dropdown boxes for your specific inkjet paper type and paper source. Selecting the correct media type is crucial for optimal print quality and color accuracy when you print 11×14 photo.
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Print Quality (B): Select “High” for premium photo prints or choose another option based on your needs. Higher quality settings ensure finer details and smoother gradients in your printed 11×14 photo.
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Color Intensity (C): Opt for “Manual” color intensity settings. This selection unlocks slider controls for Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Intensity, and Contrast, giving you precise control over color adjustments. While there is an “Auto” selection, manual adjustments often yield better results, especially for specific paper types or desired color profiles when you print 11×14 photo.
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Scaling and Positioning Your 11×14 Photo Print
After configuring the basic printer settings, the next step is to adjust the scale and position of your image on the 11×14 paper.
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Scaled Print Size (A): In the main Printer Setup window, locate the “Scaled Print Size” option. Enter a percentage value to reduce or enlarge your image relative to the paper size. 100% means the image is intended to cover the entire page, but for 11×14 printing, you’ll likely need to reduce this percentage to fit your image appropriately within the printable area. Experimenting with percentage values here is key to getting the desired print 11×14 photo size.
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Position & Size (B): Uncheck the “Center” box. While the “Center” option might seem convenient, it often doesn’t work effectively for 11×14 paper, potentially misaligning your print. Unchecking it allows for manual margin offsets. You can adjust the image position numerically using the height and width boxes, or visually reposition the image by clicking and dragging it within the paper rectangle preview. This visual adjustment is often more intuitive for precisely placing your print 11×14 photo on the paper.
Saving Your 11×14 Print Settings
Finally, to streamline future 11×14 photo printing, save your configured settings.
- Save Page Setup (A): Return to the “Main” tab and look for the “Save your page setup” option. Saving these settings can save time and ensure consistency for your next 11×14 print. While it’s not entirely clear if this saves all settings (including size, scaling, and position), it will at least preserve your Color, Brightness, and Paper Type configurations, providing a solid starting point for your next 11×14 printing session.
By following these steps, you can effectively utilize Photoshop to print 11×14 photos. Remember that some trial and error might be needed to fine-tune the scaling and positioning to your exact preferences and printer capabilities.
