Hi,
My brother designed some circular label templates for me years ago on coreldraw, which I have printed when required every 6 months or so, with no problem. However, the same files no longer print onto the label sheet in the correct position. Everything seems to have shrunk a little. The label image prints some 3mm smaller in terms of diameter within the round label, and the position on the label paper is 10mm out.
I am using CorelDraw Select Edition (which is version 7?) and this is the program the long used files have been created on. I am using the same PC, I am using the same Windows 7, and I am using the same HP Envy printer, and I am using the same box of label sheets. I can't figure out why the label files no longer print in the right place so I get a perfect circular label. I have reviewed the settings and the ratio in coreldraw is set at 1:1, with the A4 setting with the correct measurements in cm for A4. Printer preferences aren't that detailed for HP Envy so there is no "Fit to Page" or "scale" options evident like at my work place. Re-doing the file templates doesn't change the problem.
Can anyone advise what might have happened and how I can print correctly again?
Thanks a lot
Jingley
Jingley,
Seems like some troubleshooting is in order.
I would first try to figure out if it is the drawing itself, Corel Draw Program, or the printed drivers that are the problem.
Create a new blank drawing, (use standard (letter size?) page, or whatever is the standard size paper you use in your printer, then draw some objects. Like some 40mm squares and circles. Just standard hairline outlines, and no fill. Locate them some easy to measure distance from the edges of the page (like maybe 20mm).
Print that drawing, then measure the size of the objects and their location in reference to the top/bottom/sides of the page.
The next troubleshooting step will depend on the results of the above test. If the printout is accurate then the problem is your original drawing. If the printout is not printed correctly, then the problem is Corel Draw itself, or the printer drivers.
Peteski
Hi Jingley,
The test you performed shows that the problem is not with your original label artwork file. So we can eliminate that. Now the problem might be with Corel Draw or maybe the printer drivers or even the printer.
Can the version of Corel Draw you use publish to a PDF file? If yes, take that test file you created and used for the earlier test and publish to PDF. That process should preserve the original dimensions.
Open that PDF in Adobe Reader (or whatever app you use to view PDF files, then print it (make sure to select "no scaling" or original size 100%) when then check the size of the square and distance from the edges. The PDF will likely print smaller than original again. But now the drawing is portable. Maybe you have another computer with another printer accessible to you? At work or other family member? If you have another computer and printer accessible then print that PDF file there (again "no scaling").
If it prints there in correct size then most likely the printer drivers or your printer have problem. If it prints too small again, then the problem is in the Corel Draw program itself (because the PDF was created by Corel Draw).
I just thought of something else to check. Under the Tools -> Options -> Document -> Rulers find the "Edit Scale" button and click on it. Is the scale set to 1:1? it probably is 1:1, but it won't be too much trouble to check.
Hi Peteski
Thanks again for your help. Unfortunately the files can't be opened with or exported to Adobe. The only file types that the corel files can be open with are CDR, PAT, CDT, CMX, WPG & WMF. Also my brother no longer has the software so he can't open the files and convert it, so I am unable to do the prints as I only have one printer at home. Under Tools I can confirm the scale is set to 1:1. It's very frustrating and I'm sure it is printer related, but the HP printer options are really limited in what they offer. I put a thread on the HP Forum 3 days ago but no replies as yet....... Bit stuck really.
Too bad that you can't create a pdf of your test drawing. Are you sure your version of Corel is unable to do that? "Publish to PDF" is not under "Save As" or "Export" menus. It is a separate item in the "File" menu. It is called "Publish to PDF".
Corel 10 has that capability. If you want I can create a test file like you did, then export the drawing to PDF. I assume that you have a capability to open and print PDF files (Acrobat Reader). Then you could print the file I gave you to see it prints correctly. That woudl show you if the problem is Corel Draw or the printer and its driver.
EDIT: I just verified that I can upload and attach a pdf file to a message. I'll create a test drawing for you and I'll upload it here for you. Here is a JingleyTest.pdf file. It is just like the test you tried earlier. See if the PDF prints correct size and in correct locations 2cm from top and side.. When you go to download file, right click on the attachment and select "Save Link Target As".
PDF
Thanks for the test PDF. I have saved it as a PDF (I don't get the "Save Link Target As" option but used "Save Image As" and selected PDF) . I checked the paper size is set at A4 and the scale is set at "Actual Size". However, interestingly when it prints the same happens, so your 4cm square and circle diameter print 3.7cm, with the margins print at 2.8cm, so everything is still being compressed. Does this mean it is an HP issue do you think?
(I rechecked the PDF save options in my version of Corel and I don't have the option to save as PDF).
Thanks
That PDF had the circle and square with correct sizes. Since Adobe Reader (which opens PDF files) has nothing to do with Corel Draw, and I created that file on my computer, I strongly suspect the printer or its Window drivers as the problem. If you want to double check, and have access to another printer (either at work or maybe friend or relative) print the PDF file at work, or have your friend print it and check the dimensions. They will likely see the correct dimensions of the circle and square.
What to do next? Try removing that printer from your computer's Control Panel, and re-adding it again. However I dont' know if that fully removes and re-adds all the related files. You might have to do some google searches on how do a clean removal and reinstall of printed drivers from windows 7.
Also, have you tried to fully power-cycle your printer? Not just using the power button, but actually unplugging it from the wall outlet, waiting few minutes, then plugging it back in? That will fully restart the printer.
Problem solved! I am eternally grateful for your patience and help in this matter. After finding someone with a printer they printed your PDF document and the sizes were correct, so as you recommended I then removed the HP Envy printer from my computer and re-installed it, and my labels are now printing correctly. As a non-computer expert you have saved me a lot of frustration. Thank you so much. Jingley
You're welcome Jingley!
I'm glad that we were able to troubleshoot and fairly easily resolve your problem.