My blog today is focused on how I work with my Canon Pixma printer in setting up a custom sized sheet to print for my Inklingo fabric printing. Perhaps these steps will help you to see what you would look for on your specific printer.
Although there may seem to be many steps to my process, please don't let it alarm you. Once you understand what to do, you will go through the steps quite fast. In addition, once a specific size is set up, you don't need to repeat the steps, you simply choose the size that you previously set up.
Note that "suggested custom page sizes" are included in every Inklingo shape collection for every layout, so you don't have to figure it out for yourself. Custom page size makes efficient use of the fabric AND the illustrations make it easy to see how much fabric you will need for any number of shapes. My information here is just to illustrate how you would go about making a variety of custom sizes. Many times I am using scraps of fabric in odd shapes, so I personally use many custom sizes.
Although there may seem to be many steps to my process, please don't let it alarm you. Once you understand what to do, you will go through the steps quite fast. In addition, once a specific size is set up, you don't need to repeat the steps, you simply choose the size that you previously set up.
Note that "suggested custom page sizes" are included in every Inklingo shape collection for every layout, so you don't have to figure it out for yourself. Custom page size makes efficient use of the fabric AND the illustrations make it easy to see how much fabric you will need for any number of shapes. My information here is just to illustrate how you would go about making a variety of custom sizes. Many times I am using scraps of fabric in odd shapes, so I personally use many custom sizes.
When you open your Inklingo PDF in Adobe Reader, it will look something like this. The picture is currently on page 65 of the Celtic Solstice design package, and I am ready to print this page.
Click the little "printer" symbol in the top left side of the screen to go to the next screen.
Click the "Read More" button below to see the remaining instructions.
Click the little "printer" symbol in the top left side of the screen to go to the next screen.
Click the "Read More" button below to see the remaining instructions.
When this screen opens, make the following changes:
-Make sure the correct printer is selected at the top.
-Current Page selected.
-Actual Size selected
-Portrait selected. (Landscape is also an option.)
Note that the little screen on the right shows what would fit on a normal 8 1/2 x 11 sheet. You can see you would get 18 Inklingo shapes printed on a sheet this size. If this is the size you want, simply click the PRINT button and you are printing. NOTE that this would be too close to the seam edges of the bottom ones, that is why Linda's instructions state to use a slightly longer page at 11.25" to insure there is a full seam allowance.
-Make sure the correct printer is selected at the top.
-Current Page selected.
-Actual Size selected
-Portrait selected. (Landscape is also an option.)
Note that the little screen on the right shows what would fit on a normal 8 1/2 x 11 sheet. You can see you would get 18 Inklingo shapes printed on a sheet this size. If this is the size you want, simply click the PRINT button and you are printing. NOTE that this would be too close to the seam edges of the bottom ones, that is why Linda's instructions state to use a slightly longer page at 11.25" to insure there is a full seam allowance.
To print a different size, click the PAGE SETUP button at the bottom. PC USERS would use the PROPERTIES button to make size adjustments, and follow screens as they appear.
On this screen, note the Paper Size area on this screen. For my printer, I would then click inside this area (on the US Letter).
On this screen, note the Paper Size area on this screen. For my printer, I would then click inside this area (on the US Letter).
After clicking the area, this window opens. You will see a list under US Letter showing a variety of sizes I have previously set up to use.
I can select one of them, if that size will work, but to create a new size, I would select MANAGE CUSTOM SIZES.
I can select one of them, if that size will work, but to create a new size, I would select MANAGE CUSTOM SIZES.
After clicking MANAGE CUSTOM SIZES, this window will open allowing me to create a new printing size. I can scroll down the list on the left to select one to use or alter, or I can click the plus sign beneath the list to create a new one.
Here I have chosen to add one. After clicking the plus sign and scrolling down to the new untitled selection, I can then change the Paper Size to what I want.
As you can see, I created a paper size 5.5 wide by 5.5 high, and have changed the untitled name to 5.5 x5.5 portrait. This size will remain available for my use until I delete it, so I only need to do this set up once.
Note that you can make both Portrait and Landscape.
Note that you can make both Portrait and Landscape.
Click OK to save the size. After creating the desired size, you will see the previous 8 1/2 x 11 page has been reduced to the 5.5 x 5.5 size. Now you would only get 4 complete pieces with this size. At this point you would insert your 5.5 x 5.5 freezer paper/fabric sheet into the printer, moving the side sliders to hold the narrowed size sheet, then click print.
Note that the 5.5 x 5.5 size does not make good use of the fabric, so of course, you would want to set up a paper size smaller to fit the amount of fabric needed to print the 4 pieces you want. This is just an illustration.
Note that the 5.5 x 5.5 size does not make good use of the fabric, so of course, you would want to set up a paper size smaller to fit the amount of fabric needed to print the 4 pieces you want. This is just an illustration.
Just a quick note about selecting a size to work for your needs. Let's look at the Inklingo page again. If you click the plus sign at the top of the Adobe Reader page, you will see an enlargement of the sheet. While looking at the enlarged page, you can see the measurements at the top and on the sides. So, if you wanted to print a long freezer paper/fabric sheet you could see what size would work and then set it up using the same steps shown above. See the example below.
This screen print shows I have created a custom size of 8.5 x 18 inches. I would then make a freezer paper/fabric sheet that size. My Canon Pixma easily handles this long sheet. I simply add extra FP to the end of the top FP to extend its length. Note: It is best to make sure the extended end of the FP is slightly under the leading sheet so that there will not be an edge to catch as it feeds through.
