Plotter Rotation - Getting it Right

• Have you ever spent hours trying to figure out why - just why - you can't get your plot job to come out of the plotter with the right orientation? • Have your prints been cropped oddly? • Do you just want to save , and not waste the entire side edge of a wide but short print that just came out the wrong direction?

incorrect rotation correct rotation

Here is the proper process for getting the plot rotation right. There are usually two main problems that you'll encounter, or a combination of both. This process applies mostly to Adobe Acrobat (Pro or Reader), but it generally also applies to any .

1 the wrong page size setup (width and height), or just the wrong order of these. 2 too many things telling the plotter to rotate the print, so in the end you can't predict which way it will go.

So here is how to fix it. Steps: (Windows and Macintosh screen shots included)

First, select File > Print and chose the plotter you want to use. These instructions work for all of the plotters (and printers) in the building.

1. Setup the proper Page Size - the paper itself coming out of the plotter. You need to set the paper size to match your print and orientation.

From the Print dialog, choose to set your page size through the Properties button (Windows) or the Page Setup button (Mac). Set your custom page size to match the image / page you're actually printing. If the image is wide and short, like the cityscape pictured above, then set: Width: 40" Height: 12" to match the actual width and height of the image as you would look at it normally.

The Width is the width of the plotter, standing in front of it looking straight at it. The Height is the length of the roll that will roll out. This is always the case. If your image is wider than 42", you will need to setup the paper to run the other direction: Width: 12" Height: 48" and then use the Landscape orientation to turn your image sideways (see below).

In Windows, after selecting File > Print, and the plotter you want to use, click the Properties button right next to this.

In the dialog that comes up, find the Advanced tab, and choose Postscript Custom Page Size / Edit Custom Page Size under the Page Size: selection.

Set your page size to the appropriate width and height. Make sure you also set the Paper Feed Direction so the proper edge - long or short - of the size is the leading edge. In this case, the Long Edge is to come out first, keeping the 40" direction at the top of the page.

Click OK as needed to finalize. and get back to the main print screen.

In Mac, select File > Print, then choose the plotter you want to use. Now choose Page Setup from the bottom-left.

Find the Paper Size drop-down, and choose Manage Custom Sizes from this list. Add or edit the proper size. Remember which direction is width and which is height. Click OK as needed to finalize. and get back to the main print screen.

2. Setup your print Orientation - Portrait or Landscape - turning your image to fit the physical paper.

Now, back at the main print screen, find the Orientation section at the bottom-left, to set Portrait or Landscape.

NEVER leave the Orientation selection to "Auto Portrait/Landscape". This fools the , and will often rotate it unexpectedly.

Manually choose either Portrait or Landscape, and view the result on the right. The proper result should be clear at this point, since you set the proper page size and physical orientation just a moment ago.

In this example, the page is properly in Portrait mode, because that's the way you would look at it normally on your screen, and the way you want it to come out of the printer (the leading edge of the paper roll is "top").

If your image / print is wider than 42", this is where you will need to use Landscape mode, since the plotter is only 42" wide. Your image will turn sideways to fit the paper.

3. Check the rotation. Now that you've set it, go check it to make sure it's right. Windows: Go to the Properties button > Features tab. Mac: Go to Printer button > Finishing tab.

Look for the image of the plotter roll, with the sample print image and the cut line, displayed on the right.

This graphic is a preview of the rotation that you're going to use. Notice the small E at the corner. The E represents your image, viewed normally on your screen. Notice that here, the E is facing properly such that the wide image is stretching across the full width of the plotter paper, and the height is properly proceeding (short) down the page.

Make sure that the "Rotate 90" selection is NOT checked. Only use this when you really need to (which should not be often).

Click OK (Windows) / Print (Mac).

4. Click Print. The setup is done. Your print should come out the proper direction.