Printer Margin Test
Print a margin test page to find your printer's printable area and check for uneven edges or clipped content.
Preview
Margin test sheet
What you see below is exactly what prints: six labeled sections on a single page.
1 Nested margin rectangles
The smallest fully visible rectangle gives an estimate of the printable margin.
2 Four-edge margin markers
Top
Bottom
Left
Right
3 Edge tick marks
Use the printed marks to compare how close content reaches each edge.
4 Center reference
Secondary check for page positioning.
5 Physical scale reference
Measure with a physical ruler after printing.
6 Edge clipping zone
Lines beyond the solid border represent content approaching the tested edge limit.
Recommended next test
No further test
Every edge prints evenly.
No action needed.
Content is cut off on one edge.
Check the printable-area settings for that edge.
Small-margin rectangles did not print.
Confirm the paper size and disable scaling.
The scale does not match a physical ruler.
Reprint at 100% with Fit to Page disabled.
A white strip remains in borderless mode.
Only relevant if you printed borderless. Check borderless and media settings.
Reference
How to read the result
| What you see | What it means |
|---|---|
| All edges remain visible | Margin is within the tested range |
| One edge clips first | That edge has a larger unprintable area |
| Different left/right edges | Printed positioning may differ |
| All measurements are too small | Scaling may be active |
| 100 mm reference is correct but border clips | Printable-area limitation |
| Borderless print still has white strip | Borderless mode/media limitations may apply |
Printer Margin Test vs Printer Scaling Test
- Printer Margin Test finds how close the printer can physically print to each paper edge.
- Scaling Test checks whether printed dimensions match their intended physical size.
Borderless Printing
Use this only if the printer and selected paper support borderless/edge-to-edge printing.
Do not mix borderless results with normal printable-area results.
Important:
Visual measurement test: Your printer's actual printable area depends on the printer model, paper size, media, driver settings, and print mode. This page cannot automatically read your printer's hardware limits. Measure the printed references with a physical ruler.
Compatibility
Printer compatibility
- Inkjet printers
- Laser printers
- Color printers
- Monochrome printers
Paper sizes
- A4
- Letter
FAQ
Margin test questions
What is a printer margin test?
A printer margin test shows how close your printer can print to each paper edge and helps identify uneven margins, clipped borders, and differences between the four edges.
How do I find my printer's printable area?
Print the Printer Margin Test at 100% / Actual Size and inspect the nested rectangles and edge markers. The smallest fully visible rectangle gives an estimate of the printable margin.
Why are my printer margins uneven?
Uneven margins can be caused by the printer's printable-area limits, paper positioning, feed behavior, paper size settings, or driver settings.
Why is one side of my page getting clipped?
One edge may have a larger non-printable area. Check the selected paper size and print scaling settings, then compare the four edge markers on the test page.
Why does my printer leave a white border in borderless mode?
Some printers and paper combinations cannot print fully to every edge even when borderless printing is selected. The available borderless area depends on the printer, paper, and driver settings.
Does 100% / Actual Size affect printer margins?
Yes. Scaling can change the apparent position of printed content. Use 100% / Actual Size and disable Fit to Page or Shrink to Fit when testing the printer's printable area.
What is the difference between a margin test and a scaling test?
A Printer Margin Test checks how close content can print to the paper edges. A Scaling Test checks whether physical dimensions are printed at their intended size.
Full size · A4