How to Print an A1 PDF at the Correct Size on HP DesignJet
Question details
The user needs to print an A1-sized PDF (such as a CAD drawing) at its correct original scale on an HP DesignJet printer, but it is currently outputting at a smaller size like A2.
- Product
- PDF Reader
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Printing large-format PDF CAD drawings via an HP DesignJet plotter.
- Observed behavior
- The printed output is scaled down to A2 instead of maintaining the intended A1 dimensions due to scaling or paper settings.
Ensure that your HP DesignJet printer has an A1 paper roll or A1 sheet physically loaded, and verify that the printer is online with no paper jam errors.
Set PDF Page Sizing to Actual Size
Prevent the PDF software from automatically shrinking the document to fit a smaller preset paper size by overriding the scaling options.
By default, many PDF readers will try to shrink oversized pages to match the default paper size of the printer. Manually setting the scale to 100% or 'Actual Size' guarantees the original A1 dimensions are sent to the plotter.
Open your A1 PDF file in your PDF reader and press Ctrl + P (or Cmd + P on Mac) to open the print settings window.
Locate the 'Page Sizing & Handling' or 'Scale' section within the main print dialog interface.
Select the 'Actual Size' radio button or set the Custom Scale value exactly to 100%. Ensure options like 'Fit' or 'Shrink oversized pages' are completely unchecked.
Configure HP DesignJet Driver Settings
Ensure the printer driver itself is communicating the correct A1 media size to the software and overriding any driver-level scaling.
Easily Print Large Format PDFs with WPS Office
WPS Office includes a robust, built-in PDF reader that offers precise control over printing scales and page dimensions, making it incredibly easy to output large CAD drawings to plotters like the HP DesignJet without scaling errors.
- 1. Open the PDF: Launch WPS Office and open your A1-sized PDF drawing.
- 2. Access Print Settings: Click 'Menu' and select 'Print', or use the Ctrl + P shortcut.
- 3. Set Scale: Under 'Print Handling', select 'Actual Size' to preserve the A1 scaling.
- 4. Print: Choose your HP DesignJet printer from the drop-down menu and click 'Print'.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my A1 PDF always default to A4 or A2 size?
This usually happens because the default media size in your printer driver is set to A4 or A2. Changing the default paper preferences to A1 in the Windows 'Devices and Printers' settings will resolve this persistent issue.
Can I print a specific section of my A1 drawing?
Yes. In the print dialog of most PDF readers, you can zoom into a specific area and choose the 'Current View' option to print only that visible section instead of the entire A1 page.
What if the HP DesignJet cuts off the edges of my A1 print?
This is often caused by the printer's hardware margins. Ensure your CAD drawing dimensions include standard unprintable margins, or select an 'Oversize A1' (or Arch D) paper option in the printer properties if your plotter supports it.
Does WPS Office support custom paper sizes for large-format printing?
Yes, WPS PDF allows you to access your printer's system dialog via the 'Properties' button, where you can define and select custom paper dimensions specific to roll-fed plotters like the HP DesignJet.
