My recommendation is to use a maximum width of 580 pixels to ensure
that pages print properly for the majority of users. However, if that
is not an option, you can create a "Print Style Sheet" using CSS,
which should be compatible with standards-compliant web browsers
(however, it is not supported in older browsers which some of your
visitors may use). A Print Style Sheet allows you to set a separate
format for printing that can differ from your style choices for the
screen.
The following link offers a page that you can print to see how various
widths appear on your printer:
Northwestern Michigan College, "Table Width Effects On Monitors &
Printers"
http://www.nmc.edu/support/web/design/monitor-printer-width.html
The following articles describe how to create Print Style Sheets:
A List Apart, "Going to Print" by Eric Meyer, May 10, 2002.
http://www.alistapart.com/stories/goingtoprint/
Evolt.org, "Kissing Print Versions of Pages Goodbye" by Lachlan
Cannon, March 11, 2002.
http://www.evolt.org/article/Kissing_Print_Versions_of_Pages_Goodbye/20/22225/
Search Strategy:
Look for information regarding CSS printer style sheets and optimal
table widths.
Search Terms:
css print
://www.google.com/search?q=css+print
table widths for printing
://www.google.com/search?q=table+widths+for+printing
I hope that you have found this information useful and easy to
understand. If you have questions about the information provided,
please do not hesitate to post a clarification request prior to rating
this answer. |