We're the Perfect Print team. "Please print at actual size" — for a sewing pattern, fan goods, or checking furniture dimensions — and people get stuck on which setting to use. With a couple of pointers, actual-size printing is reliable from your phone alone. This article explains what actual size (100%, no scaling) is, then how to print a phone image at its true size in inches.
"Actual size" means true size on paper
Actual size means printing an image at the same dimensions as the real thing on paper. In printing it's also called "100%" or "no scaling" — treat them as the same thing. Print "a 4-inch-wide design at actual size" and the long edge on paper measures exactly 4 inches. For patterns, woodworking plans, and goods art — anything you want to match a real object — this is essential.
By contrast, "print as a 4x6" or "fill the page" isn't necessarily actual size, because the original gets auto-scaled to fit the paper. So actual size is also the mindset of deciding the inches yourself instead of leaving size to the paper.
Why "I printed at actual size" still comes out wrong
The most common failure is the print setting. Printers and store kiosks have a handy "fit to page" or "scale to fit" option, and when it's selected the image auto-scales to fit the sheet. Convenient, but it leaves actual size behind. The data is right, but the output setting changes the size.
The other cause is that the image has no real-size information to begin with. A phone photo is recorded in pixels, not inches, so the print side decides the size for you. To print at actual size, you first have to give the image a real size — "long edge = X inches." We built Perfect Print to make assigning that real size easy on your phone.
How to print at actual size in Perfect Print
Pick a paper size in the app (A4, A5, B4, B5, L-size, or L2) and load the image. Enter its width and height in inches and it's laid out at that real size. You can go down to the millimeter, and if it's bigger than one sheet you can tile it across several to tape together. That completes the "give the image a real size" step.
Then save and print at home or upload to a print service. Set the option to actual size (100%); "fit to page" undoes your real-size setup. If you're unsure, measure one edge with a ruler after printing to confirm it matches the inches you set. Patterns, fan goods, business cards, ID photos — anything where real size matters works this way.
Perfect Print
A free app that sets images to a real size (in inches) and prints at actual size. Millimeter-precise, tiled printing, lay out several at once. No sign-up, iPhone / Android.
Learn more about Perfect PrintFrequently asked questions
Are "actual size," "100%," and "no scaling" the same?
They're used interchangeably. All mean printing the image to paper at its true size without scaling. Choosing any of them in your print settings gives you actual size.
I want actual size but the size keeps changing.
If the print setting is "fit to page" or "scale to fit," it auto-scales. Choose "actual size," "100%," or "no scaling." Also make sure the image itself has a real size (in inches) assigned.
Can I print a phone photo at actual size?
Yes. Set the photo's width and height in inches in Perfect Print to fix its real size, then print at 100% to get exactly the dimensions you set.
How do I print something bigger than one sheet at actual size?
Tile it across several sheets and tape them together to build a large actual-size piece. Perfect Print supports tiled printing, useful for patterns and posters.