Printing Problem

[Kaye]

Ok, here is the issue:

I open a 8x10 background.
Add photos, text, etc and get it ready for the parent.
I save it as a Jpep file.
Upload to Zenfolio and check that everything will print fine and WOW, I'm done other than ordering the print and delivering it.

Now my problem is this:
I have to be careful how close to the sides I get when adding the photo or text because everytime I go to print it still cuts off a little of the sides. I actually have to send to Wal Mart, Zenfolio or some print lab and look before I save the finished product because I might have to move the kid, text closer to the middle.

What I don't understand is this: If it says the background is a 8x10 why can't I use anywhere no matter how close to the side and get it to print what I see. Is this not a true 8x10?

Any help would be appreciated.

[OsmosisStudios]

Some printers will crop ever so slightly to avoid a white border around the edges. Most GOOD printers (Ie for document printing and letterhead) use a bleed zone: if there isn't one, it defaults to simply "create" a bleed.

Im not 100% this is what it is, as your description lacks a bit of detail and would benefit from a visual example.

[Kaye]

Hope this helps some. The below is an 8x10 background that I purchased. I just added text to show an example. When I print this at home, Zenfolio or Wal Mart, the first letter on the left (U) and the last letter on the right (H) will be cut off. Hope this helps some.

[Car2n]

It's call Expansion.
The printer will expand the 8x10 to something like 8 1/2 x 10 1/2 and then print. That is their way of ensuring the photo doesn't have white borders when they print borderless.
Some home printers have this option as well. My Epson3800 has 3 levels of expansion to choose from or turned off (as I do).
I recently had a shot of a baby where one eye was close to the edge. It was one of the mothers favourites. When I printed a 16x20, the eye stll fell within the the area considered safe for framing/matting. She had a 4x6 printed at a 1 hour lab and the eye is right near the edge. A frame would cut into it.

[teaking]

If expansion is causing it could you measure the amount that is being cut off by this process then enlarge your image using a black border by that amount, it should then leave you with just the image clearing the border you just made for guide purposes.

Its a lot of piddling around but if you dont have control over this setting its possibly a way to work around it