Custom paper size not working in AutoCAD

[Anonymous]

I have an HP DesignJet Z5200 plotter.  We're trying to print a custom design that is 42" in by 90".  The print server has the custom size saved.  When we try to print and select the custom size, it resizes to 36" width even with the custom size selected.  The plotter has a big enough roll loaded.  If we try to create the custom size in AutoCAD, it tells us the maximum paper width is 36".  How can I get the custom paper size to show and print correctly? 

[ChicagoLooper]

What is the widest roll of paper your printer can acoomodate? If your printed can only handle a maximum width of 36" and you are trying to print to a sheet that requires 42" then it's obvious the printer won't, and can't, perform as expected.

If you printer is capable of printing wider than 36" then make sure you have the appropriate 42" or wider roll loaded so your printer doesn't wig-out.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the reply. We have 44” paper loaded in the printer which is the maximum size for that printer. The printer recognizes it as 44” paper as well. 

[ChicagoLooper]

This doesn't sound like a printer issue, it sounds more like an AutoCad issue because your plot settings don't sound right. Are you using a custom sheet size? Did you establish the sheet size correctly and does your large format plotter offer you the custom paper size in the Paper Size Dropdown?

If the custom sheet isn't shown in the dropdown, then you'll have to make a 'custom' sheet size which can be stored in your plot configuration file. That way whenever to you to that same size sheet using the same plotter, AutoCad will know exactly how to handle the plot job, e.g. sheet dimensions, landscape vs portrait orientation, margins, etc.

[Anonymous]

We have tried saving the custom sheet size several times in AutoCad. It does show up in the drop down box, but then shows the dimensions as 30” width instead of 42”. We have even saved the custom print size on the print server and AutoCad is still resizing it.

[ChicagoLooper]

If your dropdown options for paper size is showing the narrow 30"X90" instead of the wider 42"X90" then you haven't established your custom sheet size correctly. Have you enabled BANNER PRINTING in the the ROLL PAGE OPTIONS section of your plotter's print settings?

Here's a video to show how it's done. Although the sheet size in the video is W900mm X H5500mm (35.3" X 216.5") you can still apply the concept to any custom sheet requiring oversized print jobs.

To watch the video click >>HERE<<.