What Is Borderless Printing? How to Enable It on HP, Epson, Canon & Brother Printers
· Editorial policy Last Updated:Last updated: November 9, 2026
Short answer: Borderless printing (also called edge-to-edge or full-bleed printing) prints all the way to the edges of the paper with no white margin. To turn it on, choose a supported photo paper size (such as 4x6, 5x7, 8x10 or letter) and tick Borderless in your printer's print settings. Most photo-capable inkjets support it; almost no laser printers do.
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What Borderless Printing Actually Means
By default, most printers leave a small unprinted margin around every page — usually about an eighth to a quarter inch. Borderless mode slightly enlarges the image so it runs past the paper's edge, giving photos, cards and flyers an edge-to-edge look with no white frame. It's most useful for photos, greeting cards, invitations and full-page graphics. If you're setting up photo prints, our guide to photo papers pairs well with this one.
What Does "Amount of Extension" Mean on a Printer?
"Amount of Extension" (Canon) or "Expansion" (Epson) controls how far the image is enlarged past the paper's edges in borderless mode. A larger extension guarantees no white slivers but crops more of the image; a smaller extension keeps more of your photo but can leave thin white edges if the paper feeds slightly off. Start in the middle of the slider and reduce it only if important details are being cut off.
How to Enable Borderless Printing by Brand
HP Printers
- Open the Print dialog and click Printer Properties or Preferences
- On the Paper/Quality or Layout tab, choose your photo paper size (e.g., 4x6)
- Enable Borderless Printing (or Print Borderless) — it only appears for compatible sizes and paper types
In the HP Smart app on a phone or computer, choose a photo size and turn on the Borderless toggle.
Epson Printers
- In the print driver, go to the Main tab
- Under Paper Size, select a size labeled (Borderless), or tick the Borderless checkbox
- Set the paper type to match your photo paper, and adjust Expansion if needed
Canon Printers
- Open the print driver and select the Main or Page Setup tab
- Choose a paper size that supports borderless, such as 4x6
- Choose Borderless under Page Layout and adjust the Amount of Extension slider if the image is cropped too much
Brother Printers
Many Brother inkjets support borderless printing on photo sizes (look for a Borderless checkbox on the Basic tab), but document-focused models may not. Check your printer's spec sheet for "borderless" or "full bleed" support.
On a Mac
Press Cmd+P, then in the Paper Size menu choose a size that ends in (Borderless), such as "US Letter (Borderless)" or "4 x 6 in (Borderless)." If none appear, install the manufacturer's full driver.
Can HP LaserJet and Other Laser Printers Print Borderless?
Generally no. Laser printers need a margin for the paper to be gripped and for toner to fuse cleanly, so most leave about 4–5 mm unprinted on every side. If you need edge-to-edge output from a laser, print on larger paper and trim it down, or use an inkjet for full-bleed jobs.
Which Printers Support Borderless Printing?
Most photo-capable inkjets do, including many Canon PIXMA and MegaTank models, Epson EcoTank and Expression models, HP ENVY and OfficeJet Pro models, and some Brother inkjets. Look for "borderless printing" in the specifications, and note the supported sizes — many printers only print borderless on photo paper sizes, not plain letter paper. Wide-format inkjets add borderless printing on larger sheets.
Common Borderless Printing Problems
The option is missing or grayed out
Borderless is usually only available for specific paper sizes and photo paper types. Select a supported size (4x6, 5x7, letter photo paper) and a photo paper type first, then look again. Using a generic or basic driver can also hide it.
The edges still have a thin white border
The paper size in the driver may not exactly match your paper, or the extension setting is too low. Increase extension slightly and make sure the paper guides are snug so the sheet feeds straight.
Important parts of the photo are cut off
Borderless printing enlarges the image so it overflows the edges, cropping a few millimeters on each side. Keep important subjects away from the very edge, or reduce the extension amount.
Ink smears at the edges
Borderless printing puts ink right to the edge, so use photo paper and let prints dry before handling. See why printer ink smudges if it persists.
More Borderless Printing Questions
What is "Amount of Extension" in borderless printing?
To print to the very edge, the printer enlarges the image slightly so it runs past all four edges of the paper. The Amount of Extension setting, found in Canon's driver and in similar settings from other brands, controls how far it overshoots. More extension guarantees no white slivers but crops more of the image, while less keeps more of the photo but may leave a thin border.
Can laser printers print borderless?
Almost never. Laser printers need a small margin, usually about 4 to 5 mm, to grip and fuse the paper, so HP LaserJet and other lasers cannot print to the edge. For edge-to-edge results on a laser, print on a slightly larger sheet and trim it, or use an inkjet.
Is borderless printing bad for my printer?
Occasional borderless printing is fine. Because the ink sprays past the edge of the paper, it lands on absorbent pads inside the printer, so very frequent borderless printing fills the waste ink pad sooner and can leave ink on the platen that smudges later pages.
Why is borderless printing not available or greyed out?
Borderless printing only works with certain paper sizes and types, usually photo paper in sizes like 4x6, 5x7 and Letter, and often only from one tray. Choose a paper size labeled borderless, such as "Letter (Borderless)," and a photo paper type, and the option usually becomes available.
Can I print borderless on plain paper?
Many printers do not allow it. Those that do often produce soft edges, because plain paper absorbs too much ink. For edge-to-edge prints, use photo paper or matte presentation paper.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does borderless printing use more ink?
Slightly, because the image is enlarged to cover the whole sheet and a little ink overspray is absorbed by pads inside the printer.
Can I print borderless on plain paper?
Some printers allow it on letter plain paper, but many restrict borderless to photo paper sizes and types.
Is borderless the same as full bleed?
Yes — "full bleed" is the print-industry term for ink that runs off the edge of the page.
Recommended Paper for Borderless Photo Printing
Borderless mode shows every flaw in cheap paper, so pair it with proper photo stock such as glossy 4x6 photo paper or premium matte or luster photo paper. As an Amazon Associate, Castle Ink earns from qualifying purchases. If your borderless prints come out faded, check your ink before troubleshooting settings — Castle Ink's remanufactured HP, Canon, Epson and Brother cartridges save 50–70% versus OEM, or find ink by printer.
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