Printer Preferences Requirement

In This Topic

Printer preferences and properties in Windows (10/11) are accessed via Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners or the Control Panel's "Devices and Printers".

Printing Preferences control default job settings (color, 2-sided), while Printer Properties manage device configuration (port, sharing, driver details).

You may notice that if a template is applied, the template does not sit fully across the drawing plan page - see example below.

NB: Issues are caused if your printer preferences are set to Letter.

Step 1 Set Default Printer

Ensure that the option to 'Let Windows manage my default printer' is turned off, as shown.

Step 2 Change Preferences

Preferences can be accessed via Printer Properties or Printing Preferences.

Printer Properties > Preferences

Access the applicable Printer Properties.

In this example, we clicked on the Microsoft Print to PDF option, as shown above, to access Preferences on the Properties page.

All paper size settings for all printers needs to be set to A4 (or A3 if required) i.e. not Letter as this causes issues.

This only discusses PDF Printing but it applies to all your printers. Setting locations are dependent on the type of printer.

Even when Preferences are changed to A4, the Paper available may still incorrectly state Letter but this is not an issue.

Printing Preferences > Advanced

This example shows that Preferences accessed via Printing preferences.
Click on Advanced to open the Advanced Options dialog.
- Use the drop list to select either A4 (or A3 if required).

Tips on Common adjustments

Set Default Printer: In Settings > Printers & scanners...
- turn off "Let Windows manage my default printer" (see step 1) and select a printer to click "Set as default".
Color to Grayscale: In Printing Preferences
- choose "Grayscale" or "Black & White" to save on color ink.
Duplex Printing: In Printing Preferences
- enable "Print on both sides" or "Duplex".

Printing Defaults (Admin Level)

If you are an administrator, you can set Printing Defaults via the Advanced tab in Printer Properties.

Unlike personal preferences, these settings apply to every new user who connects to that printer on the machine or network.