# Why are my images not printing at the expected size?

I understand how (in theory) to get images to be a specific size in inches, but when I follow the documentation, all of my output seems to be scaled down by a factor of a bit less than 70% (e.g., ImageSize -> 72x8 gives an image size of about 5.5 inches rather than 8).

How do I ensure that my images print at a specified size in inches? Are there settings or additional options beyond those described in the documentation for ImageSize that I need to use?

In context, what I'm trying to do is print a generated graphic from within a Manipulate using a button using

Button["Print",  NotebookPrint[pat]]


or perhaps something like

Button["Print", NotebookPrint[Show[pat, ImageSize -> 72 patzise]]]


and I'd ideally like to apply whatever settings are needed to get a properly sized output, without messing with global or notebook level settings.

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Try setting the printing environment on 'Working' using the File > Printing Settings > Printing Environment menu. The default for printing, the Printout stylesheet uses a condensed version of the screen stylesheet.

Proof:

If you open the stylesheet editor (Format > Edit Stylesheet...) while using the standard notebook style you get this:

Click on Default.nb and open the environment style to find the Printout style:

Open the Printout cell with CtrlShiftE to find:

Cell[StyleData[All, "Printout"], Magnification -> 0.72]

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–  Alexey Popkov Oct 29 '12 at 23:14
That works in some cases (e.g. using the context menu) but not others, in particular not for NotebookPrint[g], which is what I'm doing. I've tried Button["Print", {SetOptions[pat, PrintingStyleEnvironment -> "Working"], NotebookPrint[pat]}] (I need to use a button to print), but that doesn't work. –  raxacoricofallapatorius Oct 29 '12 at 23:15
So what I need to do in context is set just the PrintingStyleEnvironment for the expression I'm printing (as in the comment above), as I print, but ideally leave global settings unchanged. –  raxacoricofallapatorius Oct 29 '12 at 23:42
I've updated the question to that effect. –  raxacoricofallapatorius Oct 30 '12 at 4:21