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Question

Multi Images on 1 Page

Forum|Forum|11 months ago
March 27, 2025
3 replies
893 views

Subject: Photoshop Auto-Scaling Layers Issue When Placing Multiple Images

Hi Adobe Support,

I'm experiencing a recurring issue in Photoshop when trying to layout three identically-sized images (1920 x 900 px @ 300 DPI) onto an 8.5” x 11” canvas (2550 x 3300 px @ 300 DPI). All three images were flattened and verified to be the exact same size.

Problem: When I copy or drag the first image into the layout, it looks fine. But after adding the second and third images, the earlier ones visually shrink. For example:

Image 1 becomes smaller after Image 2 is added
Image 2 shrinks when Image 3 is added
Image 3 stays full-size

Even though Photoshop shows them as “100%” scale, each previous image appears to resize on its own when the next one is imported.

I’ve tried:

Flattening all images before importing
Matching DPI and pixel dimensions
Turning off smart objects
Drag-and-drop, copy-paste, and File > Place Embedded
Using a blank canvas with visual guides

Still, each earlier image resizes down the moment a new image is added.

This issue only happens when placing multiple images in sequence. When I import and print one image at a time, sizing stays perfect. But I need to fit 3 per page to avoid wasting sublimation paper.

What’s causing Photoshop to auto-scale previously placed layers?
Is there a setting or transform behavior I can disable?

Thanks so much for your help — I can provide screenshots or test files if needed.

Best,

Jackie

Windows

jane-e

Community Expert

I can provide screenshots or test files if needed.
By @jafujay34

Yes, Jackie, please provide the test files so we can follow your steps and try to reproduce this.

Jane

Bojan Živković11378569

Community Expert

If you open images in Photoshop and then copy-paste them between documents, there is no mistake: Photoshop will copy and paste actual pixels. Have you tried that? If that doesn't work, try resetting preferences, which can be a solution for many strange behaviors. Remember to save presets and actions if you decide to reset preferences.

J

jafujay34Author

Participating Frequently

I did my initial research through AI because I was failing severely. AI was stumped, nothing worked. I will try this because I'm wasting to much paper and need this project finished before Saturday. I will try this as well. thank you

NB, colourmanagement

Community Expert

@jafujay34 If the simple reset described by @Bojan Živković11378569 isn't a solution, maybe try this:

Perhaps try a thorough reset of Photoshop preferences?

(Read this entire text before acting, please)

Unexpected behaviour of Photoshop may indicate damaged preferences, which are saved when Photoshop closes.. Restoring preferences to their default settings is a good idea when trying to troubleshoot unexpected behaviours in Photoshop.

When preferences become corrupt, then various issues can occur.

Here’s some info from Adobe about preferences:

Learn how to access and modify Photoshop preferences and customise according to your frequent workflows

https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/using/preferences.html#reset_preferences

According to Adobe, manually removing preferences files is the most complete method for restoring Photoshop to its default state. This method ensures that all preferences and any user presets which may be causing a problem are not loaded. More here: https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/using/preferences.html#Manually

The process:

Quit Photoshop.
Navigate to Photoshop's Preferences folder.
macOS: Users/[user name]/Library/Preferences/Adobe Photoshop [version] Settings
Windows: Users/[user name]/AppData/Roaming/Adobe/Adobe Photoshop [version]/Adobe Photoshop [version] Settings

Note: The user Library folder is hidden by default on macOS. To access files in the hidden user Library folder, see How to access hidden user library files.
Drag the entire Adobe Photoshop [Version] Settings folder to the desktop or somewhere safe for a backup of your settings
Open Photoshop.
New preferences files will be created in the original location.

You may want to back up your settings and custom presets, brushes & actions before restoring Photoshop's preferences.

Here is general info about that: https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/using/preferences.html#BackupPhotoshoppreferences

And here’s an Adobe Quick Tips link as an aid to overall understanding

https://community.adobe.com/t5/photoshop-ecosystem-discussions/quick-tips-how-to-reset-photoshop-preferences/td-p/12502668

Thanks to Digitaldog for this quick and simple method:

Press and hold Alt+Control+Shift (Windows) or Option+Command+Shift (macOS) immediately after launching Photoshop. You will be prompted to delete the current settings.

You can also reset preferences on quit, if Photoshop is running, by going into General Preferences>General>Reset on Quit.

This action only affects the items found in the preferences dialog box. Numerous program settings are stored in the Adobe Photoshop Preferences file, including general display options, file-saving options, performance options, cursor options, transparency options, type options, and options for plug‑ins and scratch disks. Brushes (and lots of other settings) are not affected by the above instructions for deleting preferences.

You may wish to make a screen capture of the settings in the Preferences dialog to reset them prior to deleting this file.

Before you reset your preferences, in case of future issues, I suggest you make a backup copy as Adobe may need one to check problematic preferences.

Quit Photoshop.
Go to Photoshop's Preferences folder

Preferences file locations: https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/kb/preference-file-names-locations-photoshop.html\

[on MacOS see: Users/[user name]/Library/Preferences/Adobe Photoshop [version] Settings

Note for those on macOS: - Be aware that the user Library folder is hidden by default on macOS. More on that here:

https://helpx.adobe.com/x-productkb/global/access-hidden-user-library-files.html

In the Finder, open the “Go” menu whilst holding down the Option (Alt) key.

"Library" will now appear in the list - below the current user's “home” directory. ]

Now you can drag the entire Adobe Photoshop [Version] Settings folder to the desktop or somewhere safe as a backup of your settings.

Note for macOS:

Preference preservation is affected by macOS permissions,

You’ll need to allow Photoshop ‘Full Disk Access’ in your Mac OS Preferences/Security and Privacy

If resetting preferences doesn't fix your issue:

Go to Preferences > Performance... and uncheck Multithreaded Compositing - and restart Photoshop.

Is Photoshop still hanging?

Go to Preferences > Performance... click Advanced Settings... and uncheck "GPU Compositing" - then restart Photoshop.

It may even be time to reinstall Photoshop.

It’s recommended that you use the Adobe CC cleaner tool to remove all traces first.

(See above about preserving preferences first though! It’s worth preserving them unless they are corrupted.)

How and when to use the Creative Cloud Cleaner tool | Advanced steps

https://helpx.adobe.com/creative-cloud/kb/cc-cleaner-tool-installation-problems.html

Uninstall Photoshop BUT make sure to choose the option “Yes, remove app preference”.

Once that process finishes, start the installation process and look into the “Advanced Options”. Uncheck “Import previous settings and preferences” and choose to “Remove old versions”.

neil barstow - adobe forum volunteer,

colourmanagement consultant & co-author of 'getting colour right'

See my free articles on colour management

Help others by clicking "Correct Answer" if the question is answered.

Found the answer elsewhere? Share it here. "Upvote" is for useful posts

davescm

Community Expert

'...the earlier ones visually shrink...' '...each previous image appears to resize...'

Given that the layers are each showing as 100%, are you sure that they are actually resizing and this is not just an optical illusion caused by the three curved images? The easiest way to check is drag out guides to the corners of the first image then place the second and check whether the first has moved against those guides. If it does, please provide screenshots at each step.

Dave

J

jafujay34Author

Participating Frequently

I'm average at this so give me a sec. Thanks

J

jafujay34Author

Participating Frequently

I've just overlaid your two screenshots as an animation. There is no change at all in layer one when you add layer 2.

Cover up the bottom half with your hand - nothing at the top changes. It looks like this is just an optical illusion.

Dave

Then why does it save and print in three different sizes if it is just an illusion? it prints out with just as it appears and that is not an Illusion. it's a fact. so i still have no resolution. AI can't even slove it.Thanks but I'll try some of the other responces. Appreciate your time.

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