I am having a problem trying to get maps to print to a specified scale.
Goal: to print a map to scale so that an engineer's scale (ruler) can be used to measure features on the printed map.
Problem: After setting the map scale to the desired scale and adding a scalebar linked to that map, the scale bar does not measure out correctly.
Here is an example of my issue:
The page size is 8.5 X 11 inches but scalebar does not measure correctly. The scale bar unit is set to feet but the label multiplier is 0.083333 (1/12) and the number of right segments is 11 (for 11 inches), so it should display the full width of the page.
I have seen several other posts with the same issue, but none of them have been answered.
How can I get maps to print to a specified scale?
Here is a new map create after verifying printer settings are not set to 'fit to page', it has a line feature that is 500 ft in length but does not measure that on the printed map, from direct print, pdf or image.
Best Answer
I think this is actually an issue with your printer; it's probably set to 'print to fit' rather than 'print actual size', and so it's scaling your map when you print. It's likely something that takes place after your map has left the program; try printing as an image file of some sort (.pdf, .tiff,. jpg) from your GIS, and then printing the image.