FAQs and Tips For Downloading and Printing
Top Tips
- I offer 2 types of files for download on my site: PDF and PNG files. (See FAQs for additional information.)
- I recommend that you download PDF files directly to your device and open in a dedicated PDF reader before printing. Sometimes, opening a PDF in a browser viewer will modify the PDF formatting causing it to look a bit off. If a browser PDF viewer is your only option, then open the PDF in your browser and look over the design before printing to make sure there are not any distortions or issues.
- For best image quality, I recommend the following:
- Choose “High Quality” or “Best” in your print settings. Selecting “Normal” or “Ink Saver” settings may cause blurring or banding across the page. (see FAQs below for more info.)
- Use heavier paper, such as card stock or matte photo paper, which will allow for sharper images (less bleeding of colors) and a more durable print.
- If you plan to reuse your prints, laminating is a great option for added durability, particularly for activities that children use repeatedly.
- If you want to resize PDF file pages, you can rescale them or print multiple per page in your print settings. (More detailed instructions for doing this are provided below.)
- There are many PDF reader options. I personally use and recommend Adobe Acrobat Reader, because it is free, reliable, and readily accessible for most people. Nevertheless, feel free to use the PDF reader that works best for you.
Scaling PDF Pages To Your Desired Size
- To scale PDF files in Adobe Acrobat Reader:
- Open the PDF file in Adobe Acrobat Reader.
- Click on the printer icon button to open the print dialog settings.
- Look under the “Page Sizing and Handling” section, and click “Size.”
- Then select “Custom Scale” and type the percentage you want to use. For reference:
- 200% – Double original size
- 100% – Original size/Actual size (no scaling)
- 75% – 3/4 original size
- 50% – half original size
- 25% – 1/4 original size
- Preview your choices in the preview box and then click “Print.”
- To print multiple pages per sheet in Adobe Acrobat Reader:
- Open the PDF file in Adobe Acrobat Reader.
- Click on the printer icon button to open the print dialog settings.
- Look under the “Page Sizing and Handling” section.
- Click “Multiple.”
- Make your selections for how many pages you want to print per sheet.
- Preview your choices in the preview box and then click “Print.”
- Tips for scaling PDF files in other PDF readers:
- Open the PDF file in your preferred PDF reader, such as Preview (for Mac users), or your browser’s builit-in PDF viewer (such as Chrome, Edge, etc.).
- Depending on your device/app, click file > print or click on the printer icon button to open the print dialog settings.
- Look for a setting like “Scale,” “Custom Scale,” or “Page Size and Handling.” Options will vary depending on the device and app used.
- Select or type the percentage you want to use to scale your print.
- Note for iPhone users: scaling might not be available. However, you can change the print size by selecting the “Layout” option and choosing how many pages per sheet you would like to print.
- Additional Tips For scaling:
- If you rescale prints to a larger percentage than the original on standard letter size paper, you may have to print on multiple pages. You can then cut the designs to size and tape/glue them together as needed.
- When scaling, make sure “Fit to Page” is not selected in the print options.
- Make sure the correct paper size is selected when printing (for most this will be standard letter, but other common sizes might include A2, A4, A6, etc.).
FAQs: Downloading Printables
- How do I download a printable?
- Click the download link or button on the printable’s page. Your file should open in a new tab, and you may then save it to your device by clicking the download icon (usually a down arrow) or by selecting “Save As” in your browser’s menu.
- Where do my downloads go?
- By default, most browsers save files in the “Downloads” folder on your computer or device. You can specify a different location when saving, or check your browser’s settings to change the default download location.
- Do I need any special software to view these files?
- Many printables on this site are provided in PDF format. To open them, you’ll need a PDF viewer like Adobe Acrobat Reader, which is free to download.
- I’m having trouble downloading. What should I do?
- Try the following options:
- Refresh the page and try again.
- Clear your browser cache or try using a different browser.
- Make sure your internet connection is stable.
- If you still have issues, try restarting your device.
- Try the following options:
FAQs: Printing For Best Quality
- What printer settings should I use?
- For the best print quality, use the following settings:
- Select “High Quality” or “Best” in your printer settings. If you don’t see these settings after you open the print dialog, try these steps:
- After you open the print dialog, click on “More Settings.”
- Look for “Print Using System Dialogue,” which you may have to scroll to the bottom to see. Click this option.
- Click “More Settings” or look for “Advanced Settings” and you should be provided with options to change the color and output quality.
- Choose “Actual Size” or “100% Scale” in print options if you want to make sure the design is not resized or cropped.
- For color printing, make sure to select “Color Printing” instead of “Grayscale.”
- Select “High Quality” or “Best” in your printer settings. If you don’t see these settings after you open the print dialog, try these steps:
- For the best print quality, use the following settings:
- Which paper should I use?
- For regular (print and use once) activities, standard printer paper (20-40 lb) should be fine.
For printables that require more durability, I recommend printing on heavy paper such as cardstock or matte photo paper. Also, consider laminating items that will be reused.
FAQs: Common Issues and Solutions
- How can I print double sided pages?
- If your printer supports double-sided printing, select “Double-Sided” or “Duplex” in your print settings. For manual double-sided printing:
- Print all odd numbered pages first.
- Flip the stack, and then print the even numbered pages on the opposite side.
- If your printer supports double-sided printing, select “Double-Sided” or “Duplex” in your print settings. For manual double-sided printing:
- Why are my prints coming out blurry?
- Ensure you’re using the highest print quality settings. For best results, download and print directly from your computer instead of using mobile devices.
- Using heavier paper, such as cardstock or matte photo paper, will give sharper more vibrant results than regular printer paper.
- Why doesn’t my print look like what’s on the screen?
- Differences in screen brightness, color settings, or paper type can affect print colors. Calibrate your monitor, adjust your printer’s color settings, or try a different type of paper for closer results.
FAQs: File Management Tips
- Can I edit these files?
- PDF printables on this site are provided as is and cannot be edited.
- Can I share these files with others?
- Printables on this site are for personal and classroom use. If you want to share, please send them a link to this website so they can download it directly.
FAQs: Mobile Device Tips
- How can I download and print from a mobile device?
- Many mobile devices have PDF viewers pre-installed, or you can download an app like Adobe Acrobat. You can usually print by selecting the “Share” icon and choosing your printer. Ensure your printer supports mobile printing or use an app like Google Cloud Print if needed.
- Can I download to my phone and then print later?
- Yes, you can save the file to your phone’s files, Google Drive, iCloud, or other cloud storage service and print from your computer later.
FAQs: PDF Files
- Why do you use PDF files?
- PDFs are universally accessible on a variety of devices (desktops, tablets, and phones).
- Free PDF readers, like Adobe Acrobat, make it a cost effective option.
- PDFs preserve formatting for design consistency across devices.
- PDFs are optimized for high quality printing with embedded fonts and graphics so that the user does not have to save or access them separately.
- PDFs allow for bundling multiple page designs together, so you don’t have to open multiple files.
- PDFs allow for rescaling and printing multiple pages per sheet to suit the user’s sizing needs.
FAQs: PNG Files
- Why do you offer some designs as PNG files?
- PNG files retain high resolution, ensuring crisp and clear graphics both digitally and in print.
- PNG files support transparency, making them perfect for layering onto other designs or printing on colored or textured paper.
- PNG files are widely supported across devices and software programs.
- Users can easily drag and drop PNGs into projects without needing specialized software.
- PNGs offer flexibility with resizing and cropping.
- PNGs use lossless compression to preserve image quality.
- What software can I use with PNG files?
- PNG image files can be inserted into a variety of word processing, presentation, and design programs. Here are just a few popular options:
- Microsoft Suite (Word and PowerPoint)
- Google Workspace (Google Slides and Google Docs)
- Adobe Suite (Photo Shop, InDesign, and Illustrator)
- Canva
- PNG image files can be inserted into a variety of word processing, presentation, and design programs. Here are just a few popular options:
- Why does my PNG file have a white background instead of transparent?
- Some older programs (like older versions of Word) do not support transparency. Make sure transparency is supported in the software you are using.
- Can I print a PNG file directly?
- You can print a PNG file directly, but I recommend inserting it into a supported software program first to optimize resolution quality and sizing.
- My PNG image looks blurry when printed. What do I do?
- Ensure you’re printing at the file’s original resolution. If the file was resized too large, it may lose quality. Also, make sure to select “High Quality” or “Best” in your print settings.