Printing reports on different Printers

  • Thread starter Thread starter Rick Allison
  • Start date Start date
R

Rick Allison

Is there any fool proof way to make sure that a report
that looks good on one printer will look good on any
printer?

I have an mde that I sell. A report that works on my
development computer will cut off characters or for labels
not print on the last row on a customer's computer.

I can duplicate this problem with my development computer
when I use my HP laser jet and my HP ink jet. Same
computer, same program, same report, looks good on the ink
jet but not so good on the laser jet.

Are fonts not the same across printers? I cannot control
the version of windows, the print drivers, or anything
else that might be on the customer's computer.

Thanks if you have an idea.

Rick
 
Of course the real problem here is that some ink-jet printers can print
right at the start of the page, and some laser printers need a good inch.

I also have software running on a lot of different computers. From lasers to
ink-jets to larger cool kick out color laser printers.

I never had a problem.

First, if can you can duplicate printing problems on your production
equipment, then can be SURE THAT customer will have those problems also!

The fact that you standing here telling that you have problems between YOUR
TWO test printers means that at least you are testing, a and trying to
advoid problems. I think we both agree that if you have problem on just two
different test printers, then you are in for a very bad ride unless you can
get at least the printers you can get your hand on to test work ok.

I can't remember the last time I had a problem. Here is a few guide lines:

Don't allow the left and right margins to drop below .5 I think I have a few
large landscape reports where I took a big risk, and have .4 setting on each
side. However, dropping below .5 on each side asking for real big trouble.

As for top, and bottom, I would probably leave the default of 1 inch alone.
You have to stay away from the limits of most printers. So, setup your
reports, and test them on a major laser (like a HP series laser jet), and
then test on a ink-jet. That is about all you have to do.

So, the real rule is stay well within the limits of what average printers
have. To starting waddling down the margins more an more to pack more data
on some cool report is simply flirt with disaster from a design, and
distribution point of view. If you are really paranoid, and want even less
service calls, then stick with the default of 1 inch for all margins. Of
course, sticking to the standard fonts like ms-sans, Arial, and TimesRoman
is also the ONLY fonts I allow in any commercial application.
 
Albert:

Thanks. I will give that a try.

I worry about Avery labels too. They seem to modify the
header and footer margins if you use the wizard provided
by Access. Have you had the same experience?

Also, I have multi-column reports. Is there any rule of
thumb for them? I experience problems with them in that
one printer will print everthing and another will cut off
data. Mostly on the right had side of the column.

Thanks,

Rick
 
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