What makes for a professional print is having even margins throughout the layout. Learn how to adjust your app's padding and Force Fit to achieve optimal results.
These settings can be adjusted from your preset settings. Test prints must be made in-app.
Overview
Settings for your layout type, margins, and crop (or iPad orientation), and added graphics will all affect how the images are printed from Simple Booth apps.
Since many of our layouts are not rectangular in shape they will not match up with the rectangular size of your photo paper by default. Making the following adjustments to your layout will help you fill out the paper and even up your margins too.
Flexibility is key! Many print formatting problems can be resolved by changing the graphic type (for example using an overlay instead of a logo) or the the crop type.
Finally, be prepared for some trial and error as you fine-tune things.
1. Set Your Paper Size
Using 4x6 or 5x7 should work in most circumstances.
Some printers do come with paper that is not exactly 4x6 or 5x7. If you are still having trouble with your layout after working through this guide, consider grabbing a ruler, measuring your paper, and making any necessary adjustments to your settings.
We recommend starting with your Padding at 0 and with Force Fit disabled.
2. Consider Layout Changes
Consider what your layout looks like without further edits. If there are any particularly large gaps of empty space before proceeding, you might consider layout adjustments from the Photo Design panel.
You can skip ahead to step 3 if you'd prefer to avoid layout changes, but keep in mind you may want to revisit this step depending on your test prints!
Things you can try include:
Graphics: turn your logo into an overlay or vice versa.
Crop/Orientation: adjusting the crop type can go a very long way in filling out empty space.
New Layout: picking a new layout altogether is definitely a last resort but might be something you want to explore if the print is your main priority.
3. Fine Tuning
There are two ways to make adjustments to the layout: print padding and Force Fit.
Print Padding
The padding settings allow you to make small, incremental adjustments to your margins.
Padding can be added to the top, bottom, left, and right sides of the layouts.
Force Fit
Force Fit will automatically even up the margins in your layout with the check of a box in your settings.
We accomplish this by slightly adjusting the picture frame dimensions as well as the crop. We automatically detect faces in the photos to try to keep everyone in the frame.
Starting with very uneven margins or a large gap results in larger adjustments, which is why it's important to consider the changes recommended in step 2! Fewer automated adjustments is always better.
Force Fit Graphics
Force Fit automatically disables digital backgrounds and overlays (these are the ones that you've added to the Design Panel) in order to prevent distortion. These Design Panel graphics may no longer fit the frame(s) of your layout once Force Fit is applied.
Your Design Panel graphics might also be just fine to re-use, but you'll need to upload them to the Print panel's graphics section if Force Fit is enabled.
If the original graphics do not work, design a print-specific overlay and/or background for the Print panel. Learn more here!
4. Test Prints
Once your print preview looks good, use your in-settings test print button or launch the booth and take a test picture to see what the final result will look like.
After seeing the results, you can make further adjustments if necessary.