PDF Print Size Mismatch

Problem Description

When you print PDF documents from ProPay, they print slightly smaller than the original document size.

Why PDFs Print Smaller

PDF documents typically represent an 8.5 x 11 inch paper size. However, most printers cannot print to the very edge of the paper. They have an unprintable margin around the outer edge, usually about 1/4 inch (this varies by printer model).

When printing, PDF readers face two choices:

Print the full 8.5 x 11 document directly, which may cut off the edges.
Resize the document down to fit within the printable area of the paper.

Most PDF readers default to option 2, automatically reducing the document size by a small percentage (typically 97% or similar) to ensure everything fits within the printable area. This is what causes the slightly smaller print size.

Solution: Disable Page Scaling

To print PDFs at their original size without scaling, change the page scaling settings in your PDF reader.

In Adobe Acrobat Reader:

Open the Print dialog when printing your PDF.
Look for the Page Scaling or Zoom option.
Change Fit to Printable Area to None.
The zoom percentage will reset to 100%.
Click Print.

The document will now print at its full size. If your document has content at the very edges, some of it may be cut off due to printer margins.

Understanding the Trade-off

Scaled printing (default):

Ensures all content is visible
Document prints slightly smaller
Nothing is cut off

No scaling (100%):

Document prints at actual size
Content at edges may be cut off
Works well if the original document already has margins

Best Practice