Printing large graphic on one page only

[Mary_Lightfoot@adobeforums.com]

I am trying to print a 4'x 6' graphic on one page (8.5" x 11") on a HP printer. The print wants to print tiles even though I have "Use Printer settings". The only way it will print right size is if I resize it and the artboard but I lose my gradient drop shadow on one font. And the text gets heavier. Does anyone have a suggestion? I am using WinXP, AI version 9.
Thanks, Mary

[LenHewitt@adobeforums.com]

Mary,

1. Check for stray points. Select All and see where the bounding box lies.

2. >>And the text gets heavier. <<

Text over, or near to, drop shadows will be being rasterized along with the
drop shadow effect. This wouldn't be visible if printing to a high-rez
device such as an image setter, but may well be if printing to a lower
resolution output device

[Jonathan_McClintic@adobeforums.com]

Mary,

Have you tried to set the print settings to a lower ratio. Post script printers will have more options for doing this, but it usually entales going into the advanced options menu of the print settings and reducing the ratio. If it works, you may notice the dashed line defining the print area will cover a larger area of the art board. You may have to move the printable area using the tool located under the hand tool.

Jon

[Duffy_Betterton@adobeforums.com]

Thanks so much. I was having a similar problem. I didn't know about the page tool under the hand tool. It works wonderfully well!

Duffy

[Mary_Lightfoot@adobeforums.com]

I do not get any options for ratio on print settings. I can resize in other programs to "fit page". I finally saved it as a .bmp exported to Coreldraw and resized & printed without losing features.
I found the Page tool under the hand tool and I can move it around the graphic but I can't change the size that I can see. Illustrator is the only program I have had this problem with.
Mary