User Guide Cancel

Change the page size and orientation

Learn to change a document's page size and orientation while printing in Illustrator.

Adobe Illustrator deeplink

Try it in the app
Set up the Print preferences in a few simple steps.

Adobe Illustrator normally uses the default page size defined by the PPD file for the selected printer. However, you can change the media size to any of the sizes listed in the PPD file and its orientation.

Note:

Changing page size and orientation in the Print dialog box is for printing purposes only. To change the page size or orientation of your artboard, use the Artboard Options dialog box or the Artboard options in the Control panel. (See Edit artboards.)

Follow the steps to adjust the page's size and orientation.

  1. Choose File > Print.

  2. Select a page size from the Media Size drop-down list. 

    The current Printer and PPD file determine the available sizes. If the PPD file for the printer allows it, you can select Custom to specify a custom page size's Width and Height.

  3. Select Orientation to set the page direction:

Print dialog box to change the page sixe and orientation of the document
Print dialog to customize the size aond orientation of the page

Portrait Up  

Prints in portrait orientation, right side up.

Landscape Left  

Prints in landscape orientation, rotated to the left.

Portrait Down  

Prints in portrait orientation, upside down.

Landscape Right  

Prints in landscape orientation, rotated to the right.

  • Select Transverse to rotate the printed artwork 90°. To use this option, you must use a PPD that supports transverse printing and custom page sizes.

Things to remember when specifying the page size and orientation:

  • When the media size changes, the preview window automatically rescales to include the imageable area.
  • The default placement of the page on the film or paper depends on the imagesetter used to print the page.
  • Make sure your media size is large enough to contain your artwork and trim marks, registration marks, and other necessary printing information.
  • To conserve imagesetter film or paper, select the smallest page size that accommodates your artwork and necessary printing information.
  • If your imagesetter can accommodate the longest side of your imageable area, you can conserve a considerable amount of film or paper by using Transverse or changing the orientation of the printed artwork. Consult the documentation on your specific printer for more information.
Note:

The imageable area may vary by PPD file, even for the same media size (for example, US Letter), because different printers and imagesetters define the sizes of their imageable areas differently.

More like this

Have a question or an idea?

Ask the Community

If you have a question to ask or an idea to share, come and participate in Adobe Illustrator Community. We would love to hear from you and see your creations.

Get help faster and easier

New user?