Borderless pictures from Gimp (HP Photosmart Premium C309a full-bleed printing on Linux/CUPS)
I've recently acquired an HP Photosmart Premium C309a all-in-one device (CC335B). I planned to use the device mainly for its scanner with duplex-capable automatic document feeder (ADF), in order to archive our mail electronically (more on that later). But I was also happy to get a device which can replace man different ones: it is also a fax, and a nice printer for documents, pictures and even (special) CD/DVDs.
I already have a Canon Selphy CP740 dye sublimation photo printer, which I like very much but has two limitations: 1. it's limited to 10x15 format (4x6 in), and 2. it seems that it's impossible to get the printer to work correctly when attached to a PC as a usb printer. It works nicely in stand-alone mode (ie printing from a digital camera with PictBridge or directly from a CF card), but so far I've only managed to waste paper and ink when trying to print directly from the computer. (I've even installed a fresh Windows XP to try the software from Canon, it didn't work any better.) So the good quality of the HP as a photo printer was one more argument in its favour.
Here is how I was able to print borderless photos directly from The Gimp:
1. If you want no border at all, the image should obviously have the same aspect ratio as the paper you'll print on. If necessary, use "Image" -> "Canvas size" or the Crop tool to adjust it.
2. "File" -> "Page setup": select the correct printer and paper size
3. "File" -> "Print":
- in "Page setup", select "Photo Tray" as paper source
- in "Image Settings", check the box "Ignore Page Margins", then adjust Width/Height so that the picture fills the paper (if it doesn't, get back to step 1)
- in "Advanced", select "Photo" as Printout mode, and "1200 dpi, Photo, Full Bleed" under "Resolution, Quality, Ink Type, Media Type" ("Controlled by 'Printout Mode'" seems to do as well)
4. Click "Print"
I already have a Canon Selphy CP740 dye sublimation photo printer, which I like very much but has two limitations: 1. it's limited to 10x15 format (4x6 in), and 2. it seems that it's impossible to get the printer to work correctly when attached to a PC as a usb printer. It works nicely in stand-alone mode (ie printing from a digital camera with PictBridge or directly from a CF card), but so far I've only managed to waste paper and ink when trying to print directly from the computer. (I've even installed a fresh Windows XP to try the software from Canon, it didn't work any better.) So the good quality of the HP as a photo printer was one more argument in its favour.
Here is how I was able to print borderless photos directly from The Gimp:
1. If you want no border at all, the image should obviously have the same aspect ratio as the paper you'll print on. If necessary, use "Image" -> "Canvas size" or the Crop tool to adjust it.
2. "File" -> "Page setup": select the correct printer and paper size
3. "File" -> "Print":
- in "Page setup", select "Photo Tray" as paper source
- in "Image Settings", check the box "Ignore Page Margins", then adjust Width/Height so that the picture fills the paper (if it doesn't, get back to step 1)
- in "Advanced", select "Photo" as Printout mode, and "1200 dpi, Photo, Full Bleed" under "Resolution, Quality, Ink Type, Media Type" ("Controlled by 'Printout Mode'" seems to do as well)
4. Click "Print"
