I have been putting up with this problem for quite a while now. I've searched the net but haven't found a good answer. I can't get a good print when using 11x17. When I select 11x17 from document properties, center my masterpiece in the middle of the page using Align and Distribute Object and then go to file -> print and make sure the correct page size is selected for the printer it always asks me to put a custom size sheet into the manual feed tray. Then when I put the 11x17 sheet in it only prints about 3/4ths of the drawing. I have tried using the paper source from, Automatically select, Printer Automatically Select, Manually feed tray 1, and last Tray 3 where the blank 11x17 paper waits its turn. I've tried it both in Landscape & Portrait.

I have no problem printing to Adobe PDF at 11x17 but this HP printer is a no go for me. It's a real pain to print to pdf then open pdf and then print to the paper. All other programs that I use have no problems printing to this printer.

Is this a bug or a feature? Please help.

All the best,

Norm

Welcome Norm!

Based on messages I've read in this forum, over the last few years, I have the impression that Inkscape is not nearly as polished in the area of printing, as it is in the user interface and drawing tools. Often topics on printing issues go unresolved, which is really unusual for this forum. So it seems that the Inkscape community may lack some technical expertise in the area of printing. Or it could simply be that the developers are focused on the drawing tools and user interface. For all of Inkscape's brilliance, it's easy to forget that Inkscape is still very much under development, and has not yet released a version 1.0.

Anyway, I've searched Launchpad, and found a few possible bugs and/or fixes. These all relate to HP and/or laser jet printers. I don't know which, if any, explains your problem. Based on the info you've provided, and my understanding of the bugs, none of them seem to fit completely. But you may find a clue there which might lead you to a fix.

https://answers.launchpad.net/inkscape/+question/138810
https://bugs.launchpad.net/inkscape/+bug/670239
https://bugs.launchpad.net/inkscape/+bug/899786

It does sound like all of your image falls inside the Inkscape page border, but you could double check on that. Otherwise, it's probably something to do with Inkscape.
Maybe someone else will have some info

Edit
I also found info in the manual which might be helpful: http://tavmjong.free.fr/INKSCAPE/MANUAL ... nting.html

As Brynn mentioned it does seem that Inkscape's printing abilities are still somewhat lacking. Following the steps below should work even without me knowing the specifics of your printer.

First make sure your document size when starting is set to the size you'd like to print it at, in your case you'd want to specify 11x17, I can't remember if there is a preset for that, if not choose custom and just enter those dimensions. When finished your masterpiece open the export dialog and enter in 300dpi, make sure you've selected the "Page" tab within the export dialog box. This should give you a properly sized file that should print without any jagged lines or "pixelization". If you're using Windows you should be able to get away with just using the built in printing program, simply right click the image and select print. A welcome window opens, click next, ensure the image you want to print is checked and click next, in the next window that pops up select your HP printer and click on printing preferences, there should be somewhere to specify the output page size and this is where you'll want to specify 11x17 then click ok, next choose the top image option which should be "Full page fax print: Centered and rotated to fit" then click next and cross your fingers.

If by chance your "masterpiece" isn't taking up your full workspace "ie the document size you initially used in inkscape" or if you'd chosen a smaller template initially simply choose the "drawing" tab instead when in the export dialog window, with this however you'll either have to do the math to determine what dpi you'll need or use trial and error upping the dpi until your print looks good. Start with 300dpi and go from there.

Hope this helps.