How to Print Custom PDF Page Sizes Without Margins
Question details
The user needs to print a PDF with exact custom dimensions without the document shrinking or unwanted margins appearing.
- Product
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Printing a document that requires specific custom page dimensions rather than standard paper sizes.
- Observed behavior
- The printed PDF is smaller than the intended size, often due to automatic scaling, software margins, or physical printer limitations.
Verify your physical printer's hardware specifications to see if it supports borderless printing and can accommodate your specific custom paper dimensions.
Configure Print Settings to 'Actual Size'
Disable automatic scaling in your PDF reader to ensure the document prints at its exact dimensions.
Many PDF readers default to 'Fit' or 'Shrink to Printable Area', which automatically reduces the document size to accommodate default printer margins. Changing this to 'Actual Size' preserves your exact measurements.
Open your PDF document and press Ctrl + P or go to the File menu and select Print.
Locate the 'Page Sizing & Handling' or 'Scaling' section in the print dialog box.
Choose 'Actual Size' or set Custom Scale to 100%. Ensure options like 'Fit' or 'Shrink oversized pages' are unchecked.
Click on 'Properties' or 'Preferences' to ensure the selected paper size matches your custom PDF dimensions.
Export Directly from Source Instead of Printing to PDF
Use direct export methods rather than virtual printers to prevent unintended margins from being added to your digital file.
Print Custom PDFs Accurately with WPS Office
WPS Office offers a robust built-in PDF reader and editor that provides precise control over page scaling, sizing, and printing, ensuring your custom dimensions are maintained perfectly.
- 1. Open PDF in WPS Office: Launch WPS Office and open your custom-sized PDF document.
- 2. Access Print Settings: Click the 'Menu' button in the top-left corner and select 'Print', or press Ctrl+P.
- 3. Set to Actual Size: In the Print dialog, find the 'Print Handling' section and select 'Actual Size'.
- 4. Confirm Paper Size: Click 'Properties' to ensure the output paper size exactly matches your custom dimensions, then click 'Print'.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my custom-sized PDF print smaller than expected?
This usually happens because the PDF viewer's print settings are set to 'Fit' or 'Shrink to Printable Area', which reduces the document size to accommodate default printer margins. Selecting 'Actual Size' will prevent this.
Can I force my printer to print without any margins?
You can remove software margins by selecting 'Actual Size' in your print settings. However, completely removing hardware margins requires a physical printer that specifically supports 'borderless printing'.
Is it bad to use 'Print to PDF' to change a page size?
Yes. Using 'Print to PDF' on an existing PDF processes the document through a virtual printer, which frequently adds standard hardware margins and alters your original custom dimensions. Always use direct PDF export functions from the original file format.
