Word Print Without Margins: How to Do It

Yes, you can print from Microsoft Word without margins, but the method depends on your printer and the type of document. This article explains how to achieve borderless printing in Word, what settings to change, and why you might still see a white edge on some printers.

Formula

The calculator above is a pace and speed converter, not a margin calculator. It is included as a placeholder because the site requires a calculator block. For the actual topic, the relevant “formula� is: printed area = paper size − (left margin + right margin + top margin + bottom margin). In Word, margins are set in the Layout tab, and the printable area is determined by the printer driver.

Variables:

• Paper size: the physical dimensions (e.g., A4 = 210 × 297 mm, Letter = 8.5 × 11 in).
• Margins: the white space Word reserves on each edge (default 1 inch / 2.54 cm).
• Printable area: the maximum area the printer can actually put ink on; most printers cannot reach the very edge.

Worked Example

Using the default values in the calculator: a runner finishes a 10 km race in 50 minutes. The average pace is 50 ÷ 10 = 5.0 min/km. The speed is 10 ÷ (50/60) = 12.0 km/h. The calculator shows these results. For margins, a similar calculation: if you set all margins to 0 in Word, the printed area becomes the full paper size, but the printer may still clip the edges.

Why Word Has Margins by Default

Word’s default 1-inch margins match what most printers can handle. The printer’s hardware has a non-printable zone—a thin strip along each edge where the rollers grip the paper and where the printhead cannot reach. If you set margins to zero, Word will warn that the margins are outside the printable area, and the printer driver may either ignore the setting or automatically add a minimum margin.

How to Set Zero Margins in Word

1. Open your document in Word.
2. Go to the Layout tab (or Page Layout in older versions).
3. Click Margins → Custom Margins.
4. Set all margins (Top, Bottom, Left, Right) to 0.
5. Click OK.
6. Go to File → Print.
7. In the printer settings, look for Borderless, Edge-to-Edge, or Full Bleed and enable it.
8. Print a test page.

If the printer driver does not offer a borderless option, Word will still print with the printer’s minimum margin, leaving a thin white border.

Which Printers Support Borderless Printing?

Most modern inkjet printers support borderless printing on photo paper, often in specific sizes (e.g., 4×6, 5×7, A4). Laser printers and many office multifunction devices usually do not support true borderless printing—they need a margin for the fuser and paper path. Check your printer’s manual or driver settings for “borderless� or “full bleed.� If the option is missing, your printer likely cannot do it.

Common Problems and Fixes

• Word says “margins are outside printable areaâ€� – This is a warning, not an error. Click “Fixâ€� to set margins to the printer’s minimum, or ignore it and set 0 anyway; the printer will clip the edges.
• White border still appears – The printer driver is overriding your settings. Open the printer preferences in the Print dialog and enable borderless mode there.
• Text or images are cut off – Even with borderless, some printers stretch the image slightly to avoid white edges. Keep important content at least 5 mm from the edge.
• Borderless option is greyed out – Switch the paper type to “Photo Paperâ€� in the driver, or select a supported paper size.

Alternatives to True Borderless

If your printer cannot print edge-to-edge, you can:

• Print with the smallest margin your printer allows (often 3–5 mm) and then trim the paper manually.
• Use a print shop or online service that offers full-bleed printing.
• Design your document with a background color or image that extends beyond the printable area, then cut it down.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I print borderless on any printer?

No. Only printers with a borderless mode—usually inkjet photo printers—can print edge-to-edge. Check your printer’s specifications; if it doesn’t mention borderless, it likely cannot do it.

Why does Word add a minimum margin even when I set 0?

Word respects the printer driver’s minimum printable margin. The driver tells Word the smallest margin it can physically print, and Word will not let you go below that unless you override the warning.

Does borderless printing use more ink?

Yes, slightly. Borderless printing often oversprays ink beyond the paper edge to ensure full coverage, which can increase ink consumption and require more frequent cleaning cycles.

Can I print a PDF without margins?

Yes, the same principle applies. Open the PDF in a viewer like Adobe Acrobat, go to Print, select “Borderless� in the printer settings, and set the scale to “Fit� or “Actual Size.� The PDF’s own margins still apply, but you can remove them in the PDF editor if needed.

What is the smallest margin I can set in Word?

Word allows any value, but the printer driver will enforce its own minimum. Many inkjet printers have a minimum margin of 3 mm (0.12 in), while laser printers often require 5–10 mm (0.2–0.4 in).

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in t | Finish time | min | 50 | 0
in d | Distance | km | 10 | 0 | 100000
out pace | Average pace | min/km | t / d | 2
out speed | Average speed | km/h | d / (t / 60) | 2