Although all systems and printer set-ups are different, here are some best practices for successfully printing your downloaded PDF pattern at home.
First make sure you have the most recent version of Adobe Acrobat on your home computer. You can download it here from the Adobe site. While there are many different PDF readers, they are not all created alike. Acrobat provides the most consistent printing of any we've come across.
After you have downloaded your .PDF files (we recommend downloading to your desktop if possible for easy access) open the print at home pattern file in Acrobat.
Once your file is open in Acrobat, follow the print dialogue boxes below to print correctly on your home printer.
The highlighted areas below show the correct settings for Actual Size printing. You want to make sure Actual Size is checked. You will also see the page fit on your 8.5 x 11 in the US or A4 in the EU in the document window to the right of the image below.
Before printing the entire pattern, print out just the first page to make sure that your 3 in. x 3 in. square measures correctly — and if it does go ahead and print out the rest!
Cut borders as needed and tape pattern together matching the numbered/lettered diamonds.
Follow the instructions included in the pattern booklet to complete your garment.
If you are in the US you can send the full sized copy shop version of the pattern to any service bureau capable of printing 34″ wide. If you are located in the US we recommend using Fed Ex Kinkos and their Large Format Black and White Printer. Another resource is PDFPlotting.com.
A0 files are included for print bureaus outside of the US.
All PDF files should be printed with Adobe Acrobat Reader. Access is restricted to editing programs such as Photoshop, Illustrator, and Indesign and as such, they will not print the files.