How to Read a Printer's Ruler
- 1). Identify the size of paper that you'll be printing on. Standard printer paper dimensions are 8.5 inches by 11 inches, but many different sizes of paper are available.
- 2). Look at the ruler on the printer and locate the hash marks that denote paper size. The hash marks are either above or below the ruler depending on your model of printer.
- 3). Locate the letter size abbreviations adjacent to the hash marks. These abbreviations stand for paper size. For example; LTR or A4 will symbolize standard paper width of 8.5 inches, B5 will symbolize a document that is less than standard size in width, and could include a passport or certain envelopes. A5 is used for all standard American Letter envelopes. Your printer may have smaller settings such as 2L or 5-by-7. This is used in photo printing for 5-by-7 prints. 1L is also used for 4-by-6 photo prints on certain printers.
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