Mike Chaney's Tech Corner

We often print images that need to be a certain size, ie A2
But the actual image may not be that size or aspect ratio.

As an example, I am trying to print an image A2 (594 x 420mm), but the actual picture is only 529 x 420 mm

The image is either 594x420 (A2) but cropped so I lose the edges, or 529x420, which does show the whole image.

My issue is crop marks. We print on a wide-format printer using rolls, so need to trim the images to size after printing.
What I ideally want is to be able to specify an A2 print size to get the crop marks, but for the image to be scaled so it all fits within the bounding size.

Currently we have to resize the image and add the required white space manually, and then print.
Be great if QI did the work for me!

Is this something that can be done in QI? Fitting an image within a 'bounding box' to get the crop marks where required for the final size.

Thanks

You should be able to do that with "Template/centered" placement.  Just change your placement method to "Template/centered" and add your image(s) at your 594 x 420 size with crop OFF.  The print will be 529 x 420 as you noted but the red template size remains the overall size you chose (594 x 420) and when you turn crop marks on, it marks the corners of the red template, not the print.

Regards,
Mike

Hi Mike

That isn't working.

I've created a template 594x420mm.

Turned off cropping and set placement to centre.

I drag an image sized 528 x 420 over the template from the thumbnails.
The image replaces the template, and the crop marks are on the image (528 x 420).

You're doing somehing different than what I proposed.  Let me do it in steps to try to be more clear:

• Under the live view, click the placement button and choose "Template/centered"
• Add your image(s) at your 594 x 420 size with crop OFF

Now when you are in Template/centered placement mode which is a special placement mode, your crop marks will be on the red outline(s) and not the print itself.

P.S.  This has nothing to do with layouts or the [Template] thumbnail.  Here you are using the Template/centered placement method.

Regards,
Mike