The basics

242 ADVANCED PHOTOSHOP ELEMENTS 5.0 FOR DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHERS
MAKING BETTER PANORAMAS
9.17 Panoramic printing
Suitable for Elements – 5.0, 4.0, 3.0, 2.0, 1.0 | Diffi culty level – Intermediate
Related techniques – 10.01 | Menus used – Edit
Given the format of most wide vista photographs, printing on standard inkjet paper will result in
much of the printing surface being left unused. Printer companies like Epson now produce pre-cut
panoramic paper in a photographic fi nish. These sheets are convenient to use and their proportions
are stored as one of the default paper settings on all the latest model printers.
Another approach is to use the roll paper format that is now available as an option on several different
models. This option provides the ability to print both long, thin and standard picture formats on the
same paper, reducing the need for multiple paper types. Using these special roll holders the printer
can output different image formats back to back and edge to edge, providing cutting guidelines
between pictures if needed.
For those of you with just the occasional need to print panoramas, another approach is to cut
standard printing papers lengthways. This action produces very usable wide thin stock that is half
the usable dimensions of the standard sheet. See the table below for the different paper types and the
panorama print sizes that can be output on each.
With the paper organized it is now necessary to set up the printer for the new sizes. If you are using
the pre-cut sheet or roll paper, then these options should be available in the drop-down paper menu
of the latest printer driver for your machine. If the options are not present, or you are using panorama
paper that you have cut yourself, then you will need to set up a custom paper size to suit your needs.
On Epson machines you can do this by opening the printer driver, selecting the Paper tab and
choosing the User Defi ned option. The dialog that is displayed will allow you to create, label and save
your own paper size. These newly created paper size options will then be available for you to choose
when you next open the Elements print dialog. More printing techniques can be found in Chapter 10
of the book, including instructions for making a panorama-friendly Picture Package.
Book resources at: www.adv-elements.com
Basic
Paper
Type
A4
A3
A2
Possible
Panorama Print
Size
105 x 287 mm
(1/2 full sheet)
148 x 420 mm
(1/2 full sheet)
210 x 594 mm
(1/2 full sheet)
A4 Roll 210 mm x 10 m
100 mm
wide Roll
Panoramic
Paper
100 mm x 8 m
210 x 594 mm
(pre-cut sheet)