How do I resize a scanned item for printing please?

[oceanauk]

After scanning an item onto my computer, for example my birth certificate, it is about 6 x 5 inches and once on my computer if I want to print it out as a 6 x 4 photo how can I ensure the whole thing is printed? I have tried but it cuts off some of the sides. I have tried resizing at the scanning stage but it doesn't work. Is there a very simple way of doing this? Sorry I'm not too technical!! Hope this makes sense! Many thanks

[Buenchico]

You've not said which program you're using to print your image so it's rather difficult to tell you how to achieve your desired result.

There are hundreds of programs which can automatically resize images 6x4 size. Kodak's software is free and easy to use. Download it from here:
http://www.download.com/Kodak-EasyShare-Software/3000-22 04_4-10256403.html?tag=lst-0-4
Then just use the Quick Print option from within the program to automatically fit the image to 6x4 size.

Chris

[Gromit]

Yes it is difficult without knowing which program you are trying to print from. If you can alter the width and height sizes then you want to keep the width at 100% and the height at 80%. You will get a slighly distorted result, but everything will be on. Or just print at 80% for an undistorted print
The most important thing is the scan resolution (usually measured in dpi - dots per inch or ppi - pixels per inch). A photograph is usually scanned at 300. However, something like a birth certificate with type and numbers should be treated as a graphic rather than a photo and scanned at about 600. You should remember that if you intend to change the size of your scan for printing, you are in effect changing the scan resolution.

[Kerplunk]

Insert the image into a Word Document then resize and print.