What is the best way to print your PDF sewing pattern?
The best way to print your PDF sewing pattern is to follow the directions on your specific pattern. Each designer will offer a differing description on how to print their pattern specifically depending the country of origin of the pattern. In the United States, you will be instructed to print your pattern on an 8.5” x 11” letter size printer paper. In Europe and other regions that use the metric system, you will be asked to print your PDF pattern on an A4 size printer paper. These two printer paper sizes are essentially the same and should work interchangeably no matter what pattern you are printing.
What printer settings should I check before printing my PDF sewing pattern?
Before printing your PDF pattern look out for these settings and adjust them accordingly.
- Letter size paper (United States)
- A4 size paper (All other regions)
- Under Scaling select Actual Size or 100% (All regions)
- Single-sided paper (All regions)
- DO NOT “scale to fit” or “shrink to fit” or “fit to page”
- Print a “Test” page first
- If the pattern printed accurately then you are ready to print the final copy and cut it out
There is also the option of sending your printable PDF sewing pattern to a local printer. This will be an additional cost so make sure you are very specific on the exact pages you need printed to avoid additional fees. In the United States, printers typically charge per page printed.
You can also use a company like PDFplotting.com in the United States. They will print your PDF sewing pattern on a large format printing press just like the size you recieve when you purchase paper patterns. They will do this for a small fee and shipping. Printing in a large format means you will not have to tape together your letter size or A4 size pieces of paper together to create your full pattern. Once you receive your long format printed pattern all you have to do is cut it out in your size.
Do you like this idea? Pin this idea for later!
