> ## Knowledge Base Index > Fetch the complete knowledge base index at: https://helping.alive-pic.com/sitemap.xml > Use this file to discover available pages before exploring further. > Pure-Markdown content can be obtained by appending a '.md' suffix to the content URLs listed in the sitemap (without the trailing slash). # Live Print Preview Nothing wastes paper (and money) like a misaligned print or a template that doesn't look quite right. ALIVE Magic Print includes a live print preview so you can see exactly what's going to come out of the printer — before it actually does. --- ## How It Works When a print job is queued, ALIVE Magic Print renders a **real-time preview** on the dashboard. The preview shows the fully composed image: guest photos placed in the template slots, background image applied, layout finalized. What you see on screen is what you get on paper. [screenshot: ALIVE Magic Print dashboard showing live print preview] --- ## What the Preview Shows * **Template layout** — Slots, background, and positioning exactly as they'll print * **Guest photos** — The actual images from the session, placed in their slots * **Final composition** — Background + photos merged into the print-ready output * **Paper orientation** — Portrait or landscape, matching your template The preview is a **responsive display** that fits your screen regardless of monitor size or resolution. Whether you're running a 13-inch laptop or a 27-inch desktop monitor, the preview scales to give you a clear view. --- ## Real-Time Updates The preview updates in real time as new jobs enter the queue. When a guest finishes their session and the iPad sends a print job, the preview refreshes to show the latest image. This is especially useful during events — you can keep an eye on what's printing without interrupting your workflow. --- ## Why the Preview Matters * **Catch template issues** — Misaligned slots, wrong backgrounds, or unexpected cropping are visible immediately * **Verify photo placement** — Make sure guest photos land in the right slots * **Save paper** — Spot problems before they become wasted prints * **Client confidence** — Show clients their branded template in action during setup --- ## Using the Preview During Setup Before your event starts, run through this checklist with the preview: 1. Send a test print from your iPad 2. Check the preview on the ALIVE Magic Print dashboard 3. Verify the template looks correct (background, layout, branding) 4. Verify photo placement in the slots 5. If everything looks good, let it print 6. Compare the physical print to the on-screen preview If the preview looks wrong, fix the template before printing. If the preview looks right but the print doesn't match, the issue is with your printer settings or paper. | Always check the preview during setup, especially when using a new template or printing at a new venue. A 30-second preview check can save you a stack of wasted prints. --- ## What's Next? * [Template-Based Printing](/en/article/template-based-printing-6z01e6) — How templates define your print layout * [Print Quality Issues](/en/article/print-quality-issues-ar080s) — Troubleshoot when prints don't match the preview