Cut-off text or images usually mean the document layout reaches outside the printer printable area, the selected paper size does not match the loaded paper, or scaling is wrong.
Does this affect you?
Use this when Word, browser pages, spreadsheets, PDFs, or images look fine on screen but lose content along one or more printed edges.
Fix margins in the document
Every printer has a small unprintable strip unless borderless mode is supported and enabled.
- In Word, open Layout > Margins > Custom Margins and use at least 0.5 inches for normal documents.
- In a browser print dialog, change Margins from None or Minimum to Default or Normal.
- In Excel, open Page Layout > Margins and make sure the sheet is not forced edge to edge.
- Print a test page after increasing margins.
Match paper size to what is loaded
A Letter/A4/Legal mismatch shifts the whole page.
- Open the print dialog and check Paper Size.
- Choose the exact paper in the tray, such as Letter in the US or A4 where appropriate.
- Check the printer tray setting on the printer display if it has one.
- Print a test page to confirm alignment.
Adjust scaling
Use this mostly for PDFs, webpages, and templates.
- Find Scale, Fit to Page, or Page Sizing in the print dialog.
- If Actual Size or 100 percent cuts off content, choose Fit to Printable Area or Shrink to Fit.
- For webpages, use Print Preview and adjust browser scale percentage if needed.
More control
Zero margins require borderless mode
Simply setting margins to zero does not make a normal printer print to the edge. Use a supported borderless paper size and mode.
Templates may require exact settings
Labels, forms, and predesigned templates often specify paper size and margin rules. Follow the template instructions first.
Preview saves paper
Check Print Preview before printing tight layouts or long documents.
Sources
- Microsoft Support – Fix Printing Problems in Word (2025)
- HP Support – Content is Cut Off When Printing (2025)
- Apple Support – Page Setup and Print Options on Mac (2025)