[ttibsen]

I am new to the world of printing photos from iPhoto.
I have an iMac G5 and a Pixma iP5000 printer.
I have pasted the instructions from iPhoto for printing a (4 X 6) which is the size I'm interested in.
Printing photos on perforated paper
1. Choose File > Page Setup.
2. Choose the photo size you're printing (such as "4 x 6") from the Paper Size pop-up menu.
3. Click OK.
4. Crop each photo to match the size ratio you want to print (such as 4 x 6, 5 x 7, and so on).
5. Select the photos you want to print.
6. Choose File > Print.
7. Choose an option from the Presets menu.
8. Choose Full Page from the Style pop-up menu.
9. Click Print.
What's the part about cropping each photo to match the print size? I don't want to crop anything! I want to print the picture - as it is in iPhoto - at the (4 X 6) size. Can't iPhoto automatically scale the picture in iPhoto so that it prints at the (4 X 6) size?
Speaking of the photo paper I bought some HP photo paper of the (4 X 6) size and only later when I opened the package did I notice that the size was not really (4 X 6) but (4 X 6.5). Then looking closely at the packaging I see that the paper has a perforated tab which accounts for the extra .5 inch. What's the reason for this tab? I can't see any real use for it. Is it something that should be torn off prior to printing? Otherwise I would think that the picture could go right over the perforation which isn't something that you would want. So please - enlighten me as to the mystery of the extra .5 inch perforation and the other question about cropping - that I have.
Thanks
John

[ttibsen]

OK forget the cropping question.
I would sleep a lot better at night if someone would just tell me why the (4 X 6) size photo papers are perforated. Surely someone out there knows the answer to this burning question!

[macnuke]

it's a margin for punching holes to go in a ring binder. and allowing for them to be torn off at 4x6 should you wish.

[ttibsen]

Thanks very much for that reply. I really could sleep soundly without knowing the reason for those darned perforations.
John

[OldToad]

You can buy un-perforated 4 x 6 photo paper. I use Canon's Photo Paper Pro for all of my printing needs and it comes in the un-perforated size.
As far a cropping the digital camera photos get generated with a 4:3 (1.33) size ratio whereas 4x6s are 1.25. You have to crop the 1.33 file down to 1.25 so it will fit correctly on the available print area. Some printers will automatically crop the image and then you don't have a say on how it's cropped.
Once you've finished up that batch of paper I'd only buy the un-perforated from here on out. Or you could tear off the perforated sides and use as normal 4x6 stock. Good luck.