Page sizes and custom dimensions

The page size of a template determines the physical dimensions of the printed output and how content is laid out. This guide explains how to select or customize page sizes to match your printing equipment and document needs.

Before you start:

• Know the physical dimensions of the paper or receipt roll you will be printing on (e.g., A4 is 210 × 297 mm, 80mm receipts are 80 × variable height).
• Understand your printer's capabilities. Standard office printers handle A4 and A3. Thermal receipt printers require 80mm width. Check your printer's manual or specifications.
• Have access to edit print templates (admin role or permission).

Standard page sizes:

Usystems templates support the following standard sizes:

How to set the page size in a template:

1. Open the template editor. Go to Settings → Print Templates Open in Usystems and select the template you want to modify.

2. Find the page settings. Look for a section, tab, or panel labeled Page Settings, Document Size, Format, or Dimensions (exact location varies by product version).

3. Select a standard size. Choose the appropriate size from a dropdown menu or list. For example:

   • Select A4 for standard business documents.
   • Select 80mm for receipt printers.
   • Select A5 for prescriptions or labels.

4. Or enter custom dimensions. If you need a non-standard size:

   • Find the Custom or Custom Size option.
   • Enter the width and height in millimeters (mm) or inches.
   • Example: For a half-width label, enter width 100mm × height 150mm.

5. Set the page orientation (if applicable):

   • Portrait (vertical, taller than wide) – default for A4, A5, letters.
   • Landscape (horizontal, wider than tall) – for wide reports or multi-column layouts.

6. Save your changes. Click Save and the template will render with the new page dimensions.

Setting up custom dimensions:

If your organization uses specialized equipment, you can define custom page sizes:

1. Measure your paper or roll. Determine the exact width and height needed. For example:

   • A custom label that is 50mm wide × 75mm tall.
   • A narrow receipt roll that is 58mm wide.

2. Configure the template. In the page settings, select Custom and enter:

   • Width: 50 mm (or 1.97 inches)
   • Height: 75 mm (or 2.95 inches)

3. Preview the template. The editor should display the template layout in the custom dimensions. Verify that content fits and is not cut off.

4. Test with actual equipment. Print a test document on your actual printer to confirm the output matches the custom dimensions and content is properly positioned.

Margins and safe zones:

When defining custom dimensions, remember to account for margins:

• Unprintable margins: Most printers have a small border (5–10mm on each side) that cannot be printed. Keep important content away from the edges.
• Safe zone: Design your template content within a smaller rectangle (usually 5–10mm inset from the page edge) to ensure it prints correctly on all equipment.

Example for an 80mm receipt:

<div style="width: 80mm; padding: 5mm; margin: 0 auto;">
  <!-- Content here stays within the safe zone -->
</div>

Scaling and fit-to-page:

If you have a template designed for A4 but need to print on a smaller size:

• Most print drivers offer a Fit to Page or Scale option that automatically reduces the template to fit the available paper.
• This is useful but may reduce readability. For critical documents, design a separate template with the target page size.

Tips & common mistakes:

• Match template size to printer. An 80mm template printed on A4 paper will be tiny. An A4 template printed on a 80mm receipt printer may not fit at all. Always verify template size matches your printer.
• Test before deployment. Print a test copy on the actual equipment before rolling out a custom-sized template to your organization.
• Avoid extremely small fonts on custom sizes. If your page is very small (e.g., 50 × 50mm), ensure text is still readable. Minimum 8-point font is recommended.
• Consider localization. Some countries use different paper standards (e.g., A-series in Europe, Letter in North America). Choose or create templates for your region.
• Review the preview. The template editor usually shows a visual preview of the page size. Use it to confirm your layout fits before printing.