Printing isn't the correct size

[Paul Fryer]

I love EazyDraw, and I use it a lot.  I started with vision 4 and have upgraded regularly since.  I don't use a lot of the more advanced features, but for simple things it is simple to use!

But I am having difficulties in getting drawings to print the correct size, and for some of my modelling applications it is important.  There are two (different but related) things happening.

First, all drawings come out on my printer (HP LaserJet Pro 400 color M451dn) slightly small - about 1/8 inch in 10 inches.  I have to change the printing scale in Page Setup to 101%, and then it is nearly right.  Why does this happen, and is there any global adjustment that I can make to either EazyDraw or the printer (HW/SW) so that I don't have to keep remembering to do this?

Secondly, some drawings (and I haven't found a pattern) will print out small as above, but no amount of changing the scaling factor in Page Setup can get it right.  Even at 105%, it still prints 1/8" less than the required 10".  Why does this happen, and is there any way that I can get these drawings to print right?

(Effects noted with 1:1 drawing scale).

I have only recently been doing drawings where exact size is important, so I have no idea how long this has been going on.  And I don't know whether it is a fact of life, or whether I am doing something wrong.  I now have version 8.7.0c, and Mac OS 10.13.2.  Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Paul.

[DoctorMo]

Prints to scale on my HP 8710 inkjet at home with letter page setup. Do not recall any scale issues with laser printers at work.

So you have access to another printer with a different driver to check against?

[Paul Fryer]

No, unfortunately I have only the one printer.

Dave suggested that laser printers aren't necessarily all that accurate, and the discrepancy is quite small (~1.2%) so would only show up with a ruler on the print.  It is fortunately the same error in both directions.  He suggested I stick with the 101% print factor, or define a slightly different drawing scale to compensate where it matters.

[DoctorMo]

I will try to remember to check on Monday at work. Anything is possible but we print AutoCad drawings to 11 x 17  Canon printer all the time and they are to scale.

[DoctorMo]

Paul

• I printed a 7.5" x 10" rectangle from EazyDraw and another drawing program to a Canon 4235 laser printer this morning and they were identical laying one over the other so probably not an issue with the specific program.
• I used a couple of tape measures and engr/arch scales and found that were very slight differences between them, < 1/64th inch, which did not help when trying to measure that close.
  
• The rectangles were true to scale or slightly larger depending on the scale used (smaller scale measures large)
  
• There may be a little parallax in the rectangle where it is not perfectly square and there may be very slight difference between ends. One end is true, the other slightly larger possibly.
  
• No error was significant at this size, might magnify on a plotter for a 24" x 26" rectangle, might not. Nothing approaching a 1/16" or 1/8" for me.

Craig

[Paul Fryer]

Thanks, Craig.   It sounds like my printer might be just a little off, and since it is consistent and the same both ways, I guess I will just live with it.  The printer is otherwise just fine and meets my needs.

Paul.