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Quick Guide: How to Print Printables

A Quick Guide: How to Print Printables

When I tell people I create printables I often get a confused look as to what is a printable?! I also have a lot of new customers in my Etsy shop who are purchasing printables for the very first time! So, I thought putting together a quick guide explaining what printables are and how to print printables would be helpful!

What is a printable?

A printable is a graphic design or text that is in the form of a digital download. Examples include art prints, worksheets, calendars, stickers, quotes, and more. Two of my favorite things about printables are that they are inexpensive (and sometimes free) and you can print them out yourself! I love using printables to update my home decor with fun, new designs and seasonal designs, as well as using them for party decor!

A Quick Guide: How to Print Printables

Note, this post contains some affiliate links. For more information see my disclosures here.

How to print printables?

All Angela Marie Made printables are a high resolution, 300 dpi (dots per inch). It’s important to note that the actual print quality can vary depending on where and how you actually print the printable. Actual print colors may vary due to monitor settings and the printer/printing service used. Also, print quality may vary due to the quality of paper, ink, and printer/printer settings used. With all that being said, here are my printable printing tips to help achieve a high quality print!

1. Print at Home

This is the easiest, cheapest, and fastest method!

You can use an inkjet or laser color printer (although I prefer inkjet). It is best to print on a high quality paper such as a premium matte cardstock for best results. I bought a 250 pack of this cardstock paper for $10 and it has lasted me a really long time and works great for printables and other kinds of projects. You can always just print on regular printer paper too if you are in a hurry!

Since most readily available cardstock and printer paper is 8.5″ x 11″, you will need to trim the paper if your printable is 8″ x 10″ (all of our art print printables are this size so they fit in a picture frame). I find it’s easiest to trim the paper to 8″ x 10″ before printing. This paper trimmer is my favorite, inexpensive tool for quality paper trimming. It’s available on Amazon and also at many local craft stores like Michaels and Jo Anne Fabrics. Scissors and a ruler is always an option too for trimming.

Finally, before printing, make sure your printer settings are set up for high quality printing, high quality paper (if using it), and for the right 8″ x 10″ size under printer properties. The exact settings will vary on printers, but I use: Borderless Photo Printing, Borderless 8x10in., Premium Matte Paper, BEST print quality, and landscape or portrait orientation. Also, you can test out any other settings, such as color printer settings. For example, on black and white only designs, I chose high quality grayscale (instead of print in color).

That’s it! Print, place in a picture frame if you want, and enjoy!

Here is a photo of our “but first…coffee” printable that I printed at home from my inkjet printer on cardstock paper:

A Quick Guide: How to Print Printables

2. Online Printing Services

There are many online printing services, many of which can offer a quick and high quality print of your printable that is shipped directly to you. My favorite online printer that I have tried is Persnickety Prints. They offer high quality, affordable prints, fast shipping, and several paper choices. The great part about Persnickety is that you can select the 8×10 press print size, so no cutting or trimming is necessary! They are also great for printing our chalkboard printables since they are high quality and you don’t have to use a lot of your own black ink!

3. Local Print Shop or Office Supply Store

You can use a local print shop or office supply store and take the file on a USB flash drive and go speak directly with someone about what you need printed, how you’d like it printed, and what type of paper you’d like to be used. Of all the office stores, I prefer Fedex Office (Kinkos). I’d avoid using supercenters and photo kiosks as they are intended for actual photo printing on photo paper not art prints on cardstock or specialty paper, so their quality is going to be lower for design/art printables.

And that’s my quick guide to how to print printables! Besides the printables I offer in the shop, I am going to be offering some free printables soon on an on going basis! Freebies are always exciting! For new designs, updates, and more be sure to follow along on Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook!

 

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Adriana

Saturday 27th of July 2019

Genius post! Never have had this explained before. Thank you!

Angela Marie Made

Tuesday 30th of July 2019

Thank you!

Roxy

Sunday 4th of November 2018

I've down loaded the password , I've subscribed & yet I am unable to access the printables ... I'm specifically looking for the create one..... & home sweet home ... all that happens when I scroll thru - it just scrolling he same stuff but no access to printables

Angela Marie Made

Monday 5th of November 2018

Hi Roxy, when you go to the Library of free printables (here's the link: https://angelamariemade.com/free-printable-library-subscribers/) and enter the password, the page with all the free printables appear. Click on the text beneath each photo and that opens the printable file that you can then download or print. The Create printable is available there but the home sweet home printable is not there it's actually in my etsy shop here: https://www.etsy.com/listing/476018444/

Geri

Saturday 30th of June 2018

It wants a password and yet I cannot find where to register a password!!

Angela Marie Made

Monday 2nd of July 2018

Hi Geri, are you trying to access the library of free printables? You can sign up thru my email newsletter sign up which can be found in the sidebar or at the bottom of this post. Then, an email will be sent to you with the password and link to the library.

Thanks!