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Why does the printer paper size change from 8.5 x11 to 3.35 x 4.33?

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For some reason the paper size settings keep changing for my printer when trying to print out an email. I have gone back into my FireFox browser and altered the paper width and height back to 8.5W x 11H but when I print preview an email in Mozilla Thunderbird it comes up in condensed format of 3.35"W x 4.33H with the print. How do I change the printer paper size for Mozilla Thunderbird?

For some reason the paper size settings keep changing for my printer when trying to print out an email. I have gone back into my FireFox browser and altered the paper width and height back to 8.5W x 11H but when I print preview an email in Mozilla Thunderbird it comes up in condensed format of 3.35"W x 4.33H with the print. How do I change the printer paper size for Mozilla Thunderbird?

Chosen solution

re :I got to the config editor but that was, once again, via FireFox and the about:config window. Why are you continuing using Config Editor 'About:config' in Firefox ? It is nothing to do with Firefox.

In Thunderbird select an email Use either

  • the 'Menu Bar' toolbar: 'File > Print Preview'

OR

  • the 'Mail Toolbar' toolbar: 'Menu icon (3lines) > Print > select 'Print Preview'

when it opens and shows you the content:

  • click on 'Print'
  • click on 'Properties'

The Printer properties window opens

  • Choose the print size you want
  • click on OK

Email should print correct size and should update Thunderbird.

If you try to print another email and wrong size is still shown:

there are two ways to get to the correct place- either is ok. Use either

  • the 'Menu Bar' toolbar: 'Tools' > 'Options' > 'Advanced' > 'General' tab

OR

  • the 'Mail Toolbar' toolbar: 'Menu icon (3lines) > 'Options' > 'Options' > 'Advanced' > 'General' tab

click on 'Config Editor' button It will tell your to be careful :) A new window opens called 'about: config'

In top search type: paper_height You may see line(s) like the following:

  • print.printer_EPSON_SX510W_Series.print_paper_height;

double click on line and a small window opens allowing to set a value. clear the current entry and type 11.00

In top search type: paper_width

  • print.printer_EPSON_SX510W_Series.print_paper_width;

double click on line and a small window opens allowing to set a value. clear the current entry and type 8.50

close 'about:config' window - top right X click on OK

Read this answer in context 👍 0

All Replies (8)

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How about you actually change the settings in the printer driver in Windows.

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Hi Matt, Thanks for your prompt response but the problem is not with the Windows print driver. I only have this shrinkage problem with Mozilla Thunderbird when I try to print or preview email messages. All other documents with other applications print and preview fine. I need to find a way into the printer settings for Mozilla Thunderbird.

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Thunderbird and I think windows notepad are about the only programs that tend to use the printer driver defaults as set in control panel.

however, open the config editor type print.printer into the search dialog and reset anything printer related you like. Right click reset to default is a good choice as it usually is the same as removing the preference entirely.

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Hello Matt, Can't get to Config Editor for Mozilla Thunderbird as described or instructed by the pop up windows when accessing that page. I can get to about:config for FireFox and can make changes there but they have no effect on the print results for Thunderbird emails.

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Thunderbird and Firefox are completely different programs, so I suggest you restrict your attempts to using Thunderbird's menu.

My guess is you are trying to use the crippled application menu.

Press F10 to see the "real" menu bar on the top of the Thunderbird window. Then use that tools menu.

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Hello Matt, Sorry for the difficulties but "F10" does nothing whether in the Thunderbird window or in an email message window. I got to the config editor but that was, once again, via FireFox and the about:config window. That's where clicking on the Config Editor link brings me that was in your previous response. Confirmed printer paper size was correct and did a complete shutdown and then start up. Still the same, emails won't print in full size 8.5 x 11 format, print and previews show up in 3.35" x 4.33" format.

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Chosen Solution

re :I got to the config editor but that was, once again, via FireFox and the about:config window. Why are you continuing using Config Editor 'About:config' in Firefox ? It is nothing to do with Firefox.

In Thunderbird select an email Use either

  • the 'Menu Bar' toolbar: 'File > Print Preview'

OR

  • the 'Mail Toolbar' toolbar: 'Menu icon (3lines) > Print > select 'Print Preview'

when it opens and shows you the content:

  • click on 'Print'
  • click on 'Properties'

The Printer properties window opens

  • Choose the print size you want
  • click on OK

Email should print correct size and should update Thunderbird.

If you try to print another email and wrong size is still shown:

there are two ways to get to the correct place- either is ok. Use either

  • the 'Menu Bar' toolbar: 'Tools' > 'Options' > 'Advanced' > 'General' tab

OR

  • the 'Mail Toolbar' toolbar: 'Menu icon (3lines) > 'Options' > 'Options' > 'Advanced' > 'General' tab

click on 'Config Editor' button It will tell your to be careful :) A new window opens called 'about: config'

In top search type: paper_height You may see line(s) like the following:

  • print.printer_EPSON_SX510W_Series.print_paper_height;

double click on line and a small window opens allowing to set a value. clear the current entry and type 11.00

In top search type: paper_width

  • print.printer_EPSON_SX510W_Series.print_paper_width;

double click on line and a small window opens allowing to set a value. clear the current entry and type 8.50

close 'about:config' window - top right X click on OK

Modified by Toad-Hall

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Thanks Toad-Hall. For some reason I was able to follow your directions, which were the same as what Matt was trying to tell me, and finally resolved the issue. I still don't understand why the printer paper keeps resizing on me in both FireFox and Thunderbird. I now check what I'm going to print with print preview every time now just to prevent paper and toner waste. Thanks to both of you for the help and enlightenment. Have a great day.