Microsoft KB Archive/68824

Patterns Appear to be Solid Gray When Printed at 300 dpi PSS ID Number: Q68824 Article last modified on 10-29-1991 PSS database name: W_PowerPt

2.00

WINDOWS

Summary:

Charts made in PowerPoint Graph that contain colored fill patterns (such as cross-hatches) will appear to print incorrectly on a Hewlett-Packard (HP) LaserJet if the resolution is set to 300 dpi. The patterns will print so finely that they appear to be solid grays. This problem will occur even if the charts display correctly on the screen and print correctly to other printers.

To make the printed fill patterns more clearly visible, you need to set the printer’s resolution to either 75 or 150 dpi.

More Information:

To change the resolution on an HP LaserJet, perform the following steps:


 * 1) In PowerPoint, select PCL/HP LaserJet.
 * 2) From the File menu, choose Printer Setup and select Setup.
 * 3) In the Printer Resolution box, select 75 or 150 rather than the default selection of 300 dpi.

Note: The printer settings for the HP LaserJet may not always be the same in both the Windows Control Panel and the Printer Setup menu under PowerPoint. If you continue to have resolution-related problems, check both settings.

PowerPoint’s fill patterns are sent to the LaserJet as bitmaps (that is, patterns of dots or pixils) and thus the patterns are dependent on the printer resolution setting to determine the distance between the individual pixils in the pattern. With a low resolution, the patterns will be recognizable. With a high resolution, the width of the lines, and the spacing between each line, will be so small and fine that the resulting pattern will look like smooth, solid gray.

Copyright Microsoft Corporation 1991.