Position and scale images for printing

Last updated on Oct 10, 2026

Learn how to adjust image placement and size in the Print dialog to control printed output without changing document dimensions in Adobe Photoshop on desktop.

Use the position and scale controls in the Print dialog to adjust how your image appears on the printed page. These settings affect only the printed output: your original file dimensions and resolution remain unchanged.

Understand scaling and resolution

When you scale an image in the Print dialog, Photoshop adjusts the print resolution to maintain the image's pixel dimensions. For example, if you scale a 72-ppi image to 50%, it prints at 144 ppi. Your document size settings in the Image Size dialog don't change.

The Print Resolution field at the bottom of the Position And Size section displays the current print resolution based on your scaling percentage. This works differently from changing dimensions in the Image Size dialog, which permanently modifies the document.

To understand how dimensions, resolution, and print quality work together, review the relationship between image size and resolution. The shaded border in the print preview represents the paper margins. Only the white area is printable.

Print dialog scaling versus printer driver scaling

Both the Print dialog in Photoshop and the Print Settings dialog in the printer offer scaling options, but they work differently. Scaling in the Print dialog changes only the image size. Scaling in the Print Settings dialog affects everything on the page, including crop marks, captions, and other page marks.

To avoid unpredictable results, specify scaling in only one location, preferably the Print dialog. Entering scaling percentages in both dialogs simultaneously can produce inaccurate output.

Center or reposition an image

Select File > Print.

Expand the Position and Size section on the right.

To center the image in the printable area, select Center Image.

To position the image numerically, deselect Center Image and enter values for Top and Left.

To position visually, deselect Center Image and drag the image in the preview area.

Scale an image to fit the paper

Select File > Print.

Expand the Position and Size section on the right.

Select Scale to Fit Media to automatically resize the image to the maximum printable area.

This option ensures your entire image prints on the selected paper size, which is particularly useful when your image dimensions exceed the printable area.

Scale an image to specific dimensions

Select File > Print.

Expand the Position and Size section on the right.

Deselect Scale to Fit Media if it's active.

Enter values for Scale, Height, or Width, or drag the bounding box handles in the preview area.

Check the Print Resolution field at the bottom of the section to verify the output resolution.

If you receive a warning that your image exceeds the printable area, select Scale To Fit Media to automatically adjust the size, or manually reduce the scale percentage until the image fits within the white preview area.

Create stunning images with Photoshop
Edit, retouch, and transform photos with the industry-leading creative tools you know and love.

Open the app

Determine scan resolution for print output

Print images from Photoshop

Learn

Learn with step-by-step video tutorials and hands-on guidance right in the app.

Community

Join discussions, find answers, learn from experts, and share your knowledge.

Adobe Home

Access your favorite Creative Cloud apps, services, file management, and more.