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Homebrew PCBs

Index last updated: 2026-04-28 23:05 UTC

Message

Re: Laser Printer shrinks pcb size

2010-04-22 by andrewmv@ymail.com

I know Eagle also provides a mechanism to rescale the printer output, though I've never had to use it.

-Andrew

--- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, "w6mikk" <group78@...> wrote:
>
> My old trusty HP LaserJet 5P printer  slightly shrinks the printed pcb image on paper when I printed a pcb image from a PDF file. On screen pbc measures 5.2 cm (2 inch)  on paper is 5.0. On screen measures 8.1 cm (3inch) and  7.7 cm on paper.
> 
> Does KICAD  software contain a method to compensate Laser printers so the printed image is almost identical to the image size on screen?
> I have not installed KICAD but have studied a tutorial.
> 
> 
> The printed image size differing from screen size concerns me since I will be using Toner Transfer.  For 2 by 3 inch pcbs is this shrinkage going to cause SIGNIFICANT errors when drilling holes for IC sockets? For slightly larger pcbs, is error going to be more severe?
> 
> Do other LASER PRINTER users have this same problem?
> How are you compensating? Does software like Paintshop Pro X10
> provide small size adjustments when printing  jpg files?
> 
> This my first post. Thanks for any help.
> Dave_s
>

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