This is a need that has always had some nuances and tricks for getting better output.


  1.  When working with screenshots of an application (i.e. your browser window within which you are viewing the Google Map) you are dealing with the interaction between your screen resolution and the size of your application window. To obtain and retain the most detailed image you should start with your browser window at the maximum size possible (keeping in mind your desired ratio of height and width of the image you want) and if possible at the maximum screen resolution possible. This should have the effect of capturing the highest resolution image (in terms of pixel dimensions) to use in the rest of your process.
  2.  I would recommend capturing as losslessly compressed PNG or TIFF instead of JPEG as JPEG compression is optimized for imagery (i.e. photos) and can lead to degradation of your labels and lines. Though when using lossless compression you will be retaining source image fidelity at the cost of increased file size.
  3.  The print size of your captured image is a reflection of the pixel dimensions of the source image and the resolution of your printer. For example. If you were to capture your map at the full resolution and size of a WXGA Display (1366x768 pixels [~1 megapixel])  and a 4k monitor (2560x1600 pixels [~4 megapixel]), if you print it on a 300 dpi laser printer at 100% (i.e. each pixel in the image corresponds with 1 pixel in the print), you would get printed images of  4.55x2.56” and 8.53”x5.33” respectively.
  4.  You can scale the image to increase its size in the printed copy (as you experimented with in your 120% test), but unless you are applying some form of sharpening and rescaling to the image itself, you are simply enlarging the existing source pixels in the image and will eventually see the effects of this scaling through visible pixelation in the print. This is illustrated in the two map areas below captured from Google Maps – the first at ~100% and the second at ~400%. In the enlarged image you can see the pixelation around the label and also in the line art.

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Hopefully this helps clarify the multiple points in the capture, storage, printing workflow where you need to consider the source image resolution, the formats you select, and the resolution of your output device in obtaining the output quality you are looking for.

Google Maps note:  You may also be encountering an issue in Google maps in which as you zoom in and out of the map (in cartographic terms change the map scale) you cross display thresholds that Google maps has defined for different feature types (i.e. landmarks) and labels (i.e. local roads). You may need to experiment with zooming in and out of your area of interest with your browser window maximized (recommendation 1 above) to find the sweet spot where you are seeing all of your desired features and labels and then capturing your image.

If you are looking for an alternative to the rendering options provided by Google Maps you might also try OpenStreetMap<https://www.openstreetmap.org/#map=3/39.64/-6.15> as another source to consider for your workflow. One of the advantages of OpenStreetMap is that it provides a direct download option (see image below) that allows you to modify the format, scale and area of interest to get the desired image for download.

[A map of a city  Description automatically generated with medium confidence]

Thanks,
Karl

Karl Benedict
Director of Research Data Services/ Director of IT
College of University Libraries and Learning Sciences
University of New Mexico

Office: Centennial Science and Engineering Library, Room L173

Make an Appointment: [log in to unmask]" target="_blank">https:[log in to unmask]
Where am I working? Shared work location calendar<[log in to unmask]" target="_blank">https:[log in to unmask]>


From: Code for Libraries <[log in to unmask]> on behalf of charles meyer <[log in to unmask]>
Date: Sunday, June 26, 2022 at 19:50
To: [log in to unmask] <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: [CODE4LIB] Printing Screen Captures as WYSIWYG
  [EXTERNAL]

My esteemed listmates,


I need a detailed map with easily readable street names and landmarks.


I do that using Google Maps.


I do a hotkey screen capture and paste it into MS Paint.


Looks good.


I save the screen capture as a jpeg, then as a PNG.


I open those files with File Explorer and click Print but  it prints in the
printer tiny.



I right click on it and choose Page Set Up and it sets at Letter –
Landscape – Scaling to 100%. If I choose scale to 120% it loses some of the
landmarks and street names.



Is there some way to ensure WYSIWYG with any printer?


Thank you.


Charles.


Charles Meyer

Charlotte County Public Library

Port Charlotte, FL