PCL
2-8
The Whole Page setting only affects pages printed when using PCL emulation. If
Whole Page is selected, the PCL language sets the logical page area equal to the
physical page dimensions. Since the logical page dimensions and the physical page
dimensions are the same, in theory, the cursor may be positioned anywhere on the
page. However, the PCL language clips the image to the printable area. So, the Whole
Page setting is useful for printing scanned images that extend from edge to edge of a
page.
Some printers offer the Fit to Page setting. When Fit to Page is selected, PCL
emulation or PostScript emulation formats a page using a printable area equal to the
physical page, which is from one edge of the page to the other edge of the page. If you
use this setting, no clipping occurs. In Fit to Page, the PCL emulation logical page
dimensions are equal to the physical page dimensions, as in the Whole Page setting.
The printer holds this formatted image in memory, but when the page prints, the image
is compressed a small amount in both horizontal and vertical directions, and then
centered on the physical page for letter-size paper only. This process creates a small
margin around the image. This artificial margin prevents printing from one edge to the
other, since doing so could contaminate the printer and cause printing problems.
The following illustrations show an image held in memory for printing from one edge
to the other and how the image would actually print based on the Fit to Page setting.
Notice that a small border appears at the edges of the printed page, and the image is
slightly compressed.
Formatted Image with Fit to Page
Printed Image with Fit to Page
Physical
Page
Edge
