Make & keep
Use a PDF proof without losing the photo strip’s scale
A page container and an image’s dimensions are separate choices.
A PDF can make a layout convenient to send or print, but putting a photograph on a page does not automatically preserve its intended physical size. Check both the page and the image placed inside it.
Make a measured page
Our example places a 2 by 6-inch strip on a larger page with a small measurement line beside it. Set the image’s physical size in the document rather than dragging it until it looks right. Preserve the original image file outside the PDF.
Check export and print scaling
Open the finished PDF in a separate viewer and check the stated page size. Print a proof with scaling set deliberately. Measure the strip and the reference line on paper. A browser export’s resolution metadata is not a substitute for this check; MDN documents that such metadata may be set independently of your intended print dimensions.
Evidence: Technical documentation
Keep the recipient’s instructions clear
Send the required image file if a print service asks for an image rather than a PDF. Include the finished dimensions and explain whether the page should be cut. Keep a dated proof so future copies can repeat a verified setting instead of relying on how the document looked on your screen.
Sources & further reading
Sources for the specific facts and product descriptions above. Our worked examples, interpretations and practical suggestions are original editorial guidance.
- MDN — HTMLCanvasElement.toBlob()Technical documentation