LaserWriter Driver: PPD file Determines Imageable Area (7/96)

I am using an Hewlett-Packard (HP) 4M printer with my Macintosh computer. I have connected them using an Ethernet connection, and I am using the Apple LaserWriter 8.3.4 printer driver. When I set the margin to 0 and click Larger Print Area in the Print Setup dialog, I still get a large margin. Also, the text on the edges is being cut off, so it is trying to print to the edges of the paper.

Using this printer with UNIX workstations, or MS-Windows computers, I can printer almost edge-to-edge. Is there something in the Macintosh LaserWriter driver that is not allowing me to print to the edge?

The maximum printable area is defined in the PPD supplied by the printer manufacturer. If you are not using the correct HP PPD file or the PPD does not accurately represents the printer engines maximum print area, then the print job could request the PostScript interpreter to create a raster image that extends beyond the engines physical margins and ability to print it. This could result in the symptoms you are describing, in that the image area is getting clipped.

You should contact Hewlett-Packard Tech Support to obtain the
appropriate PPD file.


The Tech Info Library article titled "Locating Vendor Information" can help you search for a particular vendor's address and phone number.
Published Date: Feb 18, 2012