Problem printing labels in Custom Size Paper...
At work they asked me to create a label program to print labels on an HP
LaserJet 5 printer.
The thing is they are using a 304mm wide by 211mm tall paper. As you see per
the dimensions,
the labels must be printed in landscape orientation, and it's a custom-sized
paper.
I performed carefully all the steps in setting up the report (changing units
to mm, choosing custom paper size
in landscape mode, set up the two columns, the right margin) and it looks
fine on the screen, but when printed
on the labels paper it just fails. Vertically, the labels fit allright, but
horizontally it's like they're "moving" to the
right with a great margin on the left....
I changed drivers ( I was using 4plus' at first), tried win2k and win98, and
same result. Only workaround I found
is to move in the designer all the widgets to the left and at runtime I
change papersize in the printer to letter.....
A poor workaround, since I'm wasting a lot of paper. Any idea what I can try
to fix this?
LaserJet 5 printer.
The thing is they are using a 304mm wide by 211mm tall paper. As you see per
the dimensions,
the labels must be printed in landscape orientation, and it's a custom-sized
paper.
I performed carefully all the steps in setting up the report (changing units
to mm, choosing custom paper size
in landscape mode, set up the two columns, the right margin) and it looks
fine on the screen, but when printed
on the labels paper it just fails. Vertically, the labels fit allright, but
horizontally it's like they're "moving" to the
right with a great margin on the left....
I changed drivers ( I was using 4plus' at first), tried win2k and win98, and
same result. Only workaround I found
is to move in the designer all the widgets to the left and at runtime I
change papersize in the printer to letter.....
A poor workaround, since I'm wasting a lot of paper. Any idea what I can try
to fix this?
This discussion has been closed.
Comments
Article: Custom Paper Sizes on Windows 2000
-----------------------------------------------
Win 2000 (and Win NT) have a completely different printing architecture from
Win 9x. This is particularly apparent when it comes to custom paper sizes.
Windows NT handles paper sizes via Forms that are defined at the operating
system level.
1. Open the Windows 2000 printer panel
2. Select File | Server Properties. The Print Server Properties dialog is
displayed.
3. From this dialog you can view all of the Forms currently defined for your
machine.
There are basic forms installed by the operating system. Additional forms
may be added by printer driver installations or applications.
ReportBuilder defines a Custom paper size as one that is NOT already defined
and known to the printer driver. There are Win API calls ReportBuilder uses
to retrieve a list of available paper sizes known to the printer driver.
When printing a report, ReportBuilder first tries to find a pre-defined
paper size it can use - one that matches the paper dimensions of the report.
If it cannot find one, then it uses a Win API call to add/modify a Form
named 'Custom'.
Security Issues:
----------------
Each printer installed to Win 2000 has security rights associated with it.
1. Open the Windows Printer panel
2. Select the printer icon for the printer
3. Press the right mouse button to display the popup menu and select
Properties.
4. From the properties dialog select the Security tab
5. From the Security tab, press the Permissions button
6. A list of user groups and their associated rights will be displayed.
7. The rights are: No Access, Print, Manage Documents, Full Control.
*** A group must have at Manage Documents or Full Control in order to update
forms.
By default Administrators have full control. However Users by default have
only Print rights.
Troubleshooting Tips:
---------------------
1. To test paper sizes you can run demo 121 in the main reports demo app.
This demo displays a printer settings dialog and is very useful for
testing printer drivers with various paper sizes.
To test a paper size:
a. Selecting the printer
b. Specify the paper size
c. press preview
d. Press print to display the print dialog.
e. From the print dialog press the Properties button to display the
printer driver's built-in dialog. You should be able to verify the
printer setting from here.
These are the values communicated by RB to the printer. If
these are set correctly then RB has done its job, the rest is up to the
printer.
2. Open the Windows printers panel. Select File | Server Properties. The
Print Server Properties dialog is displayed. Select the Form named 'Custom'
and check that its dimensions are set to the correct values for your report.
3. Try printing to this same paper size using other apps such
as MS Excel and MS Word. If they cannot do it, then it is likely
a limitation of the printer.
4. Try downloading the latest printer driver from the manufacturers
web site.
5. Try testing with another printer.
If test number 1 above works properly then e-mail
support@digital-metaphors.com with the exact configuration
you are using: Delphi version, ReportBuilder version,
OS (2000, NT4.0, Win98), and printer model.
We have an HP LaserJet 5, and if you send us a working demo, we can test it
here.
--
Tech Support mailto:support@digital-metaphors.com
Digital Metaphors http://www.digital-metaphors.com
Cheers,
Jim Bennett
Digital Metaphors
http://www.digital-metaphors.com
info@digital-metaphors.com