Why can't I understand MSWord margins (for 2-sided printing)?

[displacedtexan]

No matter what I do (mirror margins, default margins, using the grid), I can't get the margins to line up properly when I print 2-sided pictures.

I have this great 2-sided glossy photo paper, and I want to make keychains, but my test prints suck. No way will I waste that good photo paper if I can't even get the margins right.

Any ideas?

[hobbit709]

1. Dump word

[democracyindanger]

2. print on seperate pages

use spraymount to glue the two halves together after lining them up by hand.

[SlackJawedYokel]

3. You can't normally get a hammer to do the job of a screwdriver.

If I were you, I'd use Illustrator or Freehand or some other piece of software actually designed to do what you want it to do.

Word is designed to do word processing, not desktop publishing(no matter how hard Microsoft wants to pretend).
Heh.

That said, try creating 2 seperate files.
You might have an easier time manipulating the margins that way.

For any more help you'll have to describe exactly what you want to do and exactly what you are doing in Word.

Cletus

[displacedtexan]

4. Here's what I'm trying to do...

I'm trying to print double-sided photos (because I have this beautiful 2-sided glossy photo paper, and I don't want to waste one side of it),
but I can't get the margins to line up, even when I print one page at a time and turn the paper over myself.

I use word because I've used it for years to make brochures and newsletters, which people can open as email attachments.

The only problem I have with Word is: what I see on the page is not what I get when printing.

[Ready4Change]

5. You nailed the problem on the head.

"The only problem I have with Word is: what I see on the page is not what I get when printing."

Now, what to do about it?

Get out a ruler. Measure one of your prints from the edge of the paper to the edge of the photo. Both sides. Note the difference? (Left: 1", Right: 1.5"Difference: .5") Shift the margins over by one half that amount. (Shift:.25")

However, in my experience, MS-Word STILL won't be printing in the dead center of the page. You'll need to nudge things around until it's dead on.

Until you achieve a dead center image, only print on cheap paper. I guarantee "this next print" won't be centered yet, either. Don't print on good stuff until you have a centered print in your hand.

That gets your photo centered. You'll need to do the same for the second photo, but you MIGHT be able to just use the settings from the first photo. Or maybe not. Welcome to MS-Word world.

Now, the beautiful photo paper. Is it double sided? Most photo papers are designed to be printed on just one side. Printing on the other side may not work as well.

Good luck.

[displacedtexan]

6. Yes, the paper is 2-sided glossy photo paper.

The idea is not to waste the back side.

Thanks for the tips!

Now, how is Illustrator different from Photoshop?