HPLIP

Printed image too small

Asked by WNorfleet

Size of printed image on HP Premium Plus Photo Paper 4x6 inch with Tab is roughly 3 x 4 inch, whereas the User's Guide for the HP Photosmart 8750 printer states that the printable area is 3.75 x 5.75 inches. System info:

Fedora 8 32-bit
kernel 2.6.23.15-137.fc8
hplip-2.7.12-4.fc8 and hplip-gui-2.7.12-4.fc8
tif and png files generated by gimp-2.4.4-1.fc8
cups-1.3.6-2.fc8

Changes from default settings in hplip-gui Print Settings:
Page Orientation => Landscape
Printout Mode => High Quality (auto-detect paper type)
Page Size => Photo with tear-off tab
Fit to Page: On

Printing is initiated using the "Functions => Print" feature of hplip-gui

Have tried many other approaches to this problem, but the above seems to be the simplest and most consistent. Have had intermittent success printing images up to the limits of the stated maximum image size on 4x6 paper through Gimp (so it is possible), but that route also produces a lot of screwy-sized images in an unpredictable (to me) fashion - but that's another story.

Question information

Language:
English Edit question
Status:
Solved
For:
HPLIP Edit question
Assignee:
No assignee Edit question
Solved by:
Linus Araque
Solved:
Last query:
Last reply:
Revision history for this message
Aaron Albright (albrigha-deactivatedaccount) said : 		#1

What printer are you using?

Also please run hp-check -t and post the output.

Thanks!

Aaron

Revision history for this message
WNorfleet (williamnorfleet2000) said : 		#2

Thanks so much for the reply! The printer is the HP Photosmart 8750 (sorry for being a bit obscure on that point). Below is the content of hp-check.log generated by hp-check -t:

hp-check[5071]: info: :
Initializing. Please wait...
Distributor ID: Fedora

Release: 8

scheduler is running

Linux desk.os.org 2.6.23.15-137.fc8 #1 SMP Sun Feb 10 17:48:34 EST 2008 i686 athlon i386 GNU/Linux

hp-check[5071]: info: :
hp-check[5071]: info: :---------------
hp-check[5071]: info: :| SYSTEM INFO |
hp-check[5071]: info: :---------------
hp-check[5071]: info: :
hp-check[5071]: info: :Basic system information:
hp-check[5071]: info: :Linux desk.os.org 2.6.23.15-137.fc8 #1 SMP Sun Feb 10 17:48:34 EST 2008 i686 athlon i386 GNU/Linux

hp-check[5071]: info: :
hp-check[5071]: info: :Distribution:
hp-check[5071]: info: :fedora 8
hp-check[5071]: info: :
HPOJ running?
hp-check[5071]: info: :No, HPOJ is not running (OK).
hp-check[5071]: info: :
hp-check[5071]: info: :Checking Python version...
hp-check[5071]: info: :OK, version 2.5.1 installed
hp-check[5071]: info: :
hp-check[5071]: info: :Checking PyQt version...
hp-check[5071]: info: :OK, version 3.17 installed.
hp-check[5071]: info: :
hp-check[5071]: info: :Checking SIP version...
hp-check[5071]: info: :OK, Version 4.7.3 installed
hp-check[5071]: info: :
hp-check[5071]: info: :Checking for CUPS...
hp-check[5071]: info: :Status: scheduler is running
error: Version: (Not available. CUPS may not be installed or not running.)
hp-check[5071]: info: :
hp-check[5071]: info: :Checking for Reportlab...
hp-check[5071]: info: :OK, version >= 2.0
hp-check[5071]: info: :
hp-check[5071]: info: :----------------
hp-check[5071]: info: :| DEPENDENCIES |
hp-check[5071]: info: :----------------
hp-check[5071]: info: :
hp-check[5071]: info: :
hp-check[5071]: info: :Checking for dependency: cups - Common Unix Printing System...
hp-check[5071]: info: :OK, found.
hp-check[5071]: info: :
hp-check[5071]: info: :Checking for dependency: cups-devel- Common Unix Printing System development files...
error: NOT FOUND! This is a REQUIRED dependency. Please make sure that this dependency is installed before installing or running HPLIP.
hp-check[5071]: info: :
hp-check[5071]: info: :Checking for dependency: gcc - GNU Project C and C++ Compiler...
hp-check[5071]: info: :OK, found.
hp-check[5071]: info: :
hp-check[5071]: info: :Checking for dependency: GhostScript - PostScript and PDF language interpreter and previewer...
hp-check[5071]: info: :OK, found.
hp-check[5071]: info: :
hp-check[5071]: info: :Checking for dependency: libcrypto - OpenSSL cryptographic library...
hp-check[5071]: info: :OK, found.
hp-check[5071]: info: :
hp-check[5071]: info: :Checking for dependency: libjpeg - JPEG library...
hp-check[5071]: info: :OK, found.
hp-check[5071]: info: :
hp-check[5071]: info: :Checking for dependency: libnetsnmp-devel - SNMP networking library development files...
error: NOT FOUND! This is a REQUIRED dependency. Please make sure that this dependency is installed before installing or running HPLIP.
hp-check[5071]: info: :
hp-check[5071]: info: :Checking for dependency: libpthread - POSIX threads library...
hp-check[5071]: info: :OK, found.
hp-check[5071]: info: :
hp-check[5071]: info: :Checking for dependency: libtool - Library building support services...
hp-check[5071]: info: :OK, found.
hp-check[5071]: info: :
hp-check[5071]: info: :Checking for dependency: libusb - USB library...
error: NOT FOUND! This is a REQUIRED dependency. Please make sure that this dependency is installed before installing or running HPLIP.
hp-check[5071]: info: :
hp-check[5071]: info: :Checking for dependency: make - GNU make utility to maintain groups of programs...
hp-check[5071]: info: :OK, found.
hp-check[5071]: info: :
hp-check[5071]: info: :Checking for dependency: PIL - Python Imaging Library (required for commandline scanning with hp-scan)...
hp-check[5071]: info: :OK, found.
hp-check[5071]: info: :
hp-check[5071]: info: :Checking for dependency: ppdev - Parallel port support kernel module....
error: NOT FOUND! This is a REQUIRED dependency. Please make sure that this dependency is installed before installing or running HPLIP.
hp-check[5071]: info: :
hp-check[5071]: info: :Checking for dependency: PyQt - Qt interface for Python...
hp-check[5071]: info: :OK, found.
hp-check[5071]: info: :
hp-check[5071]: info: :Checking for dependency: python-devel - Python development files...
hp-check[5071]: info: :OK, found.
hp-check[5071]: info: :
hp-check[5071]: info: :Checking for dependency: Python 2.3 or greater - Required for fax functionality...
hp-check[5071]: info: :OK, found.
hp-check[5071]: info: :
hp-check[5071]: info: :Checking for dependency: Python 2.2 or greater - Python programming language...
hp-check[5071]: info: :OK, found.
hp-check[5071]: info: :
hp-check[5071]: info: :Checking for dependency: Reportlab - PDF library for Python...
hp-check[5071]: info: :OK, found.
hp-check[5071]: info: :
hp-check[5071]: info: :Checking for dependency: SANE - Scanning library...
hp-check[5071]: info: :OK, found.
hp-check[5071]: info: :
hp-check[5071]: info: :Checking for dependency: SANE - Scanning library development files...
error: NOT FOUND! This is a REQUIRED dependency. Please make sure that this dependency is installed before installing or running HPLIP.
hp-check[5071]: info: :
hp-check[5071]: info: :Checking for dependency: scanimage - Shell scanning program...
hp-check[5071]: info: :OK, found.
hp-check[5071]: info: :
hp-check[5071]: info: :Checking for dependency: xsane - Graphical scanner frontend for SANE...
hp-check[5071]: info: :OK, found.
hp-check[5071]: info: :
hp-check[5071]: info: :
hp-check[5071]: info: :----------------------
hp-check[5071]: info: :| HPLIP INSTALLATION |
hp-check[5071]: info: :----------------------
hp-check[5071]: info: :
hp-check[5071]: info: :
hp-check[5071]: info: :Currently installed HPLIP version...
hp-check[5071]: info: :HPLIP 2.7.12 currently installed in '/usr/share/hplip'.
hp-check[5071]: info: :
hp-check[5071]: info: :Current contents of '/etc/hp/hplip.conf' file:
hp-check[5071]: info: :# hplip.conf. Generated from hplip.conf.in by configure.

[hpssd]
# Note: hpssd does not support dynamic ports
# Port 2207 is the IANA assigned port for hpssd
port=2207

[hplip]
version=2.7.12

[dirs]
home=/usr/share/hplip
run=/var/run
ppd=/usr/share/ppd/HP
ppdbase=/usr/share/ppd
doc=/usr/share/doc/hplip-2.7.12
icon=/usr/share/applications
cupsbackend=/usr/lib/cups/backend
foomatic=/usr/share/foomatic

# Following values are determined at configure time and cannot be changed.
[configure]
network-build=yes
pp-build=yes
gui-build=yes
scanner-build=yes
fax-build=yes
cups11-build=no
doc-build=yes
shadow-build=no
foomatic-xml-install=no
foomatic-ppd-install=no
internal-tag=2.7.12.10

hp-check[5071]: info: :
hp-check[5071]: info: :-------------------------------
hp-check[5071]: info: :| DISCOVERED PARALLEL DEVICES |
hp-check[5071]: info: :-------------------------------
hp-check[5071]: info: :
hp-check[5071]: info: :No devices found.
error: 'ppdev' kernel module not loaded.
hp-check[5071]: info: :
hp-check[5071]: info: :--------------------------
hp-check[5071]: info: :| DISCOVERED USB DEVICES |
hp-check[5071]: info: :--------------------------
hp-check[5071]: info: :
hp-check[5071]: info: :
hp-check[5071]: info: :---------------------------------
hp-check[5071]: info: :| INSTALLED CUPS PRINTER QUEUES |
hp-check[5071]: info: :---------------------------------
hp-check[5071]: info: :
hp-check[5071]: info: :
hp-check[5071]: info: :Photosmart_8700_series
hp-check[5071]: info: :----------------------
hp-check[5071]: info: :Type: Printer
hp-check[5071]: info: :Installed in HPLIP?: Yes, using the hp: CUPS backend.
hp-check[5071]: info: :Device URI: hp:/usb/Photosmart_8700_series?serial=MY68U2109V04CZ
hp-check[5071]: info: :PPD: /etc/cups/ppd/Photosmart_8700_series.ppd
hp-check[5071]: info: :PPD Description: HP PhotoSmart 8700 Foomatic/hpijs (recommended)
hp-check[5071]: info: :Printer status: printer Photosmart_8700_series is idle. enabled since Wed 05 Mar 2008 11:42:35 AM EST

hp-check[5071]: info: :Communication status: Good
hp-check[5071]: info: :
hp-check[5071]: info: :
hp-check[5071]: info: :----------------------
hp-check[5071]: info: :| SANE CONFIGURATION |
hp-check[5071]: info: :----------------------
hp-check[5071]: info: :
hp-check[5071]: info: :'hpaio' in '/etc/sane.d/dll.conf'...
hp-check[5071]: info: :OK, found. SANE backend 'hpaio' is properly set up.
hp-check[5071]: info: :
hp-check[5071]: info: :Checking output of 'scanimage -L'...
hp-check[5071]: info: :

No scanners were identified. If you were expecting something different,

check that the scanner is plugged in, turned on and detected by the

sane-find-scanner tool (if appropriate). Please read the documentation

which came with this software (README, FAQ, manpages).

hp-check[5071]: info: :
hp-check[5071]: info: :---------------------
hp-check[5071]: info: :| PYTHON EXTENSIONS |
hp-check[5071]: info: :---------------------
hp-check[5071]: info: :
hp-check[5071]: info: :Checking 'cupsext' CUPS extension...
hp-check[5071]: info: :OK, found.
hp-check[5071]: info: :
hp-check[5071]: info: :Checking 'pcardext' Photocard extension...
hp-check[5071]: info: :OK, found.
hp-check[5071]: info: :
hp-check[5071]: info: :Checking 'hpmudext' I/O extension...
hp-check[5071]: info: :OK, found.
hp-check[5071]: info: :
hp-check[5071]: info: :Checking 'scanext' SANE scanning extension...
hp-check[5071]: info: :OK, found.
hp-check[5071]: info: :
hp-check[5071]: info: :
hp-check[5071]: info: :-----------------
hp-check[5071]: info: :| USB I/O SETUP |
hp-check[5071]: info: :-----------------
hp-check[5071]: info: :
hp-check[5071]: info: :
hp-check[5071]: info: :Checking for permissions of USB attached printers...
hp-check[5071]: info: :
HP Device 0xbc02 at 005:002:
hp-check[5071]: info: : Device URI: hp:/usb/Photosmart_8700_series?serial=MY68U2109V04CZ
hp-check[5071]: info: : Device node: /dev/bus/usb/005/002
hp-check[5071]: info: : Mode: 0664
hp-check[5071]: info: :getfacl: Removing leading '/' from absolute path names

# file: dev/bus/usb/005/002

# owner: root

# group: root

user::rw-

user:bill:rw-

group::r--

group:lp:rw-

mask::rw-

other::r--

hp-check[5071]: info: :
hp-check[5071]: info: :-----------
hp-check[5071]: info: :| SUMMARY |
hp-check[5071]: info: :-----------
hp-check[5071]: info: :
error: 6 errors and/or warnings.
hp-check[5071]: info: :
hp-check[5071]: info: :Please refer to the installation instructions at:
hp-check[5071]: info: :http://hplip.sourceforge.net/install/index.html

Revision history for this message
Aaron Albright (albrigha-deactivatedaccount) said : 		#3

Is it possible for you to scan your printed output and email that to me? Also if I could get the document you are trying to print as well.

My email ke7ezt(at)gmail(dot)com

Thanks!

A

Revision history for this message
WNorfleet (williamnorfleet2000) said : 		#4

Information sent to Aaron 6 March 08; hope it was received ok.

Revision history for this message
WNorfleet (williamnorfleet2000) said : 		#5

If I had to guess, the problem seems to be that hplip is assuming that margin minimums are 0.5 inches, whereas the User's Guide for the Photosmart 8700 and experimentation indicate that 0.125 inch margins are possible.

Revision history for this message
WNorfleet (williamnorfleet2000) said : 		#6

Sorry, the message immediately above should read "Photosmart 8750", not "Photosmart 8700".

Revision history for this message
Aaron Albright (albrigha-deactivatedaccount) said : 		#7

Sorry for the delay..I've been looking through my email for the email you sent but I don't see it...if possible please resent and put the ticket number (26375) in the subject.

Sorry about that!

A

Revision history for this message
Aaron Albright (albrigha-deactivatedaccount) said : 		#8

Changing to open for tracking.

I'm able to reproduce this, will take more time to classify.

Aaron

Revision history for this message
Best Linus Araque (linus-araque) said : 		#9

Hi WNorfleet -

I was able to successfully print a 4x6 image at the appropriate size using almost identical settings. My test setup is as follows:

Distro: Fedora 8 32bit
HPLIP rev: 2.8.4 (latest public release)
test unit: HP Photosmart 8750
connection: USB

Page orientation: Landscape
Printout mode: Normal (auto-detect paper type)
Page size: Photo with tab
Quality: 600dpi Color, Black + Color Cartr.
fit to page: on

This yielded a printout of your photo at 4x6 size with a margin of about .125".

I'd suggest updating your HPLIP to the latest version, and see if that improves your results.
-Linus

Revision history for this message
WNorfleet (williamnorfleet2000) said : 		#10

Success! Manually installed hplip-2.8.4 prints a 4x6 inch photo to the limits of HP's stated maximum image size. The only problem I see is that a small part of the image is cut off on all four edges. To an approximation, it looks like the image that is sent to the printer is actually sized to fit on a 4x6 inch piece of paper, but the printer only prints the central 3.75x5.75 inch portion of the image. This is true with the "Print size" for the file set in GIMP not to 4x6 but to a size that is right up to, but does not exceed, the maximum image size specified by HP (for example, 3.556x5.75). I could be completely wrong about that as the actual mechanism for the image loss, but at least this thought might communicate the extent of the loss I see. A very minor problem.

Many thanks to Aaron and Linus for their help with this problem. hplip is great!

Revision history for this message
WNorfleet (williamnorfleet2000) said : 		#11

Thanks Linus Araque, that solved my question.