How to Print Borderless: Step-by-Step Guide

What You’ll Need

A printer that supports borderless printing (check your printer’s manual or specifications)
Photo paper or regular paper that matches your printer’s borderless capabilities
Your computer or mobile device with the printer driver installed
The document or photo you want to print

Step-by-Step

Check printer support. Look up your printer model online or in the manual to confirm it supports borderless printing. Most modern inkjet photo printers do, but many laser printers don’t.
Load the correct paper. Place the paper you’ll use in the input tray. For best results, use photo paper that is specifically designed for borderless printing, as it’s often thicker and absorbs ink better.
Open your document or photo. Use the application you want to print from (e.g., a photo viewer, Word, or PDF reader).
Open the print dialog. Press Ctrl+P (Windows) or Cmd+P (Mac) to open the print settings. Alternatively, go to File > Print.
Select borderless settings. Look for an option called “Borderless,” “Edge-to-Edge,” or “Full Bleed.” This is usually in the printer properties or preferences, often under a tab like “Paper/Quality” or “Layout.” The exact location varies by printer driver and version.
Adjust paper size and type. In the same settings, ensure the paper size matches what you loaded (e.g., 4×6, 5×7, A4, Letter). Also select the correct paper type (e.g., “Photo Paper Glossy”) if available. Then click Print.

Common Mistakes

Forgetting to select the borderless option—many printers default to bordered printing.
Using paper that isn’t compatible with borderless printing, which can cause smudging or poor quality.
Not adjusting the paper size to match the loaded paper, leading to misalignment.
Choosing a borderless setting that is only available for specific paper sizes (e.g., some printers only allow borderless on photo sizes, not A4).

Tips

For photos, use the highest quality print setting to get the best color and detail.
If your printer has a borderless option but it’s greyed out, try changing the paper type to “Photo” or “Premium” first.
Some printers require you to select “Borderless” before choosing the paper size, so the order of selections matters.
If you’re printing a document with text, keep important content at least 5mm from the edges, as borderless printing can slightly crop the edges.
Clean the printer’s paper feed rollers regularly to prevent paper jams, especially when using thick photo paper.

Troubleshooting

If your printout still has white borders, try these steps:

Double-check that the borderless option is actually selected in the print dialog—sometimes it resets to default.
Restart the print spooler or your computer to clear any stuck settings.
Update your printer driver from the manufacturer’s website; older drivers may not expose all borderless options.
Try a different paper size or type. Some printers only support borderless on specific sizes like 4×6 or 5×7.
If the edges are cut off too much, look for a “Borderless Expansion” or “Edge-to-Edge” adjustment in the printer settings to control how much the image is enlarged.
If the printout has white streaks or smudges at the edges, clean the printhead using your printer’s maintenance utility.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my printer not showing a borderless option?

Your printer model may not support borderless printing, or the selected paper size may not be compatible. Check your printer’s manual for supported sizes.

Can I print borderless on regular A4 paper?

Some printers support borderless on A4, but many only allow it on photo sizes like 4×6 or 5×7. Check your printer’s specifications.

Does borderless printing use more ink?

Yes, because the printer extends the image beyond the paper edge to ensure full coverage, which uses slightly more ink.

Will borderless printing crop my image?

Yes, the printer enlarges the image slightly to cover the edges, so a small amount at the edges may be cut off. Keep important content away from the margins.

Can I print borderless from my phone?

Yes, if your printer app (like HP Smart or Epson iPrint) supports it. Look for a “Borderless” toggle in the print settings within the app.

Why do my borderless prints come out with white lines on the edges?

This can happen if the paper is misaligned or if the printer’s borderless expansion is set too low. Adjust the expansion setting or realign the paper.

Sources: HP Support. Menus and buttons can differ slightly by version. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.