Hello and welcome to So Sweet DIY! We are pleased to provide this handy dandy guide featuring helpful printing information and paper selection tips. For further information, please check out our FAQ, Ordering and Download Information and Digital Downloads Terms of Use.

LET’S GET PRINTING!

Our digital products are non-editable 8.5” X 11” downloadable PDF files. These files are designed for home printing using a color inkjet printer. You may also use the services of your local print/copy shop as long as the printed copies are for your personal, non-commercial use only subject to our Digital Downloads Terms of Use. Most professional printing services accept (and many prefer) files in PDF format. However, please note that we are unable to make changes to the PDF files or offer the files in additional formats (eg. JPEG or EPS) should your printer request different specifications.

To open, view and print these files, you will need a PDF reader installed on your computer. We recommend using the FREE Adobe Reader software. With other default PDF viewers that come preinstalled (such as “Preview” on Mac Computers), the colors may display and print incorrectly. You can download the Adobe Reader software for FREE at:

http://get.adobe.com/reader or www.adobe.com/reader

Please note that due to the vast differences in printing technologies, we are unable to provide technical support for any printing related issues that may arise. If you need assistance with a printing matter, please refer to your printer instruction manual/user guide or visit the manufacturer’s website for any troubleshooting or technical support you may need.

Please remember that all printing must be for your personal, non-commercial use only subject to our Digital Downloads Terms of Use. All copyrights are retained by So Sweet DIY. 

GENERAL PRINTING TIPS & INFORMATION

  • All of our digital products are ready to print in standard letter size format (8.5” X 11”). They are not formatted to fit on any specific design templates.
  • Always print the Project Sheets at the highest/best quality setting to ensure you get the brightest and most vibrant colors possible.
  • Make sure that your printer is set to the correct type of paper that you are using. If you have the wrong paper type selected, it can make a huge difference in the print quality.
  • All files should be printed at their actual size (ie. set Scale to 100% or select “Do Not Scale”). Please note that some printers by default may automatically print at a different scale depending on the margin settings that are selected. To override these default settings and print at the correct size, make sure the “Fit to Page” or “Scale to Fit”/“Stretch to Fit” box is NOT selected and choose the 8.5” X 11” BORDERLESS (or US LETTER BORDERLESS) print option. For some printer models, you can simply set your margins to “zero”. Each printer works differently, so it’s best to refer to your printer instruction manual/user guide to see what settings you may need to adjust. As mentioned above, we are not able to provide technical support for these types of printing issues due to the vast differences in printing technologies.
  • Always do a test print before printing multiple copies to ensure you have the proper settings and print quality selected.
  • When using a heavier cardstock, it’s best to feed the paper into the printer one sheet at a time to prevent the paper from jamming. If the paper continues to jam use a lighter weight cardstock (see Paper Selection Tips below).
  • If you are experiencing print quality issues, check your printer settings to make sure you have the correct paper type selected and are printing at the highest/best quality setting. Quality issues may also be a sign that your ink cartridges are low or that you need to run your “clean print cartridges” utility. If the printer settings or ink cartridges are not the issue, please refer to your printer instruction manual/user guide or visit the manufacturer’s website for any troubleshooting or technical support you may need.
  • PRINTED ITEMS/COLOR VARIATIONS: To ensure the best possible print quality, the printable Project Sheets are provided in high resolution (300 DPI) digital PDF format. However, due to the vast differences in printer, screen and digital photo technologies, So Sweet DIY cannot guarantee the color accuracy and/or print quality of the Products. There are many additional factors that contribute to these color variations and the quality of your printed items including monitor and printer calibration, printer settings and paper selection. So Sweet DIY is unable to calibrate or change colors in the designs of the Products to match specific printing requirements. Product images will typically appear brighter and more vibrant on screens than in print so please be aware that color variations across different devices can be expected.

PAPER SELECTION TIPS

  • Our digital products are designed to be printed onto white paper. We generally recommend printing the Project Sheets onto a premium bright white cardstock (or cover stock). Multipurpose paper may be used for the printing of the Materials & Instructions Guide (included with each Printable Party Kit download). A lightweight, non-coated white cardstock (or a premium multipurpose paper) is a good choice for activity sheets and coloring pages.
  • The brightness level of the paper will be one of the most important factors in determining the vibrancy and final print quality of your printables. Most cardstock paper has a brightness level on the front of the package measured on a scale from 1 to 100 (the higher the number, the whiter the paper). Select the brightest, whitest paper you can find (at least 98+ brightness if possible). If there is no brightness level indicated on the package, look for a “premium white” or an “ultra white” cardstock.
  • Cardstock is available in coated and uncoated finishes which will also affect the brightness, vibrancy and crispness of the image. Coated paper makes colors appear brighter and sharper. However, coated stock is often difficult to write on so it’s generally not recommended for projects like our invitations, activity sheets, coloring pages, etc.
  • In addition to the brightness level and coated/uncoated finishes, cardstock is also available in a variety of cover weights/thicknesses. (Note: It’s important to remember that “cover weight” and “text weight” are not the same. Text weight refers to thinner paper such as letterhead and stationery whereas cover weight refers to cardstock.) Some of the most popular cover weights include: 65 lb (lightweight), 80 lb (medium weight) and 100 lb (heavier weight). Before selecting your paper, be sure to confirm the maximum weight your printer can accept by referring to your printer instructional manual/user guide. If you are not sure, it might be best not to exceed the medium cover weight range. The sample products featured on our website were printed on 100 lb cover. However, if using a heavier weight cardstock such as this, we would recommend feeding the paper into your printer one sheet at a time to prevent the paper from jamming.
  • Depending on the project, photo paper may be another option. While photo paper will make the printed colors appear brighter and more vibrant, the paper is coated which as stated above, is not recommended for projects that will be written on. So always keep the type of project in mind when selecting your paper.
  • It’s also important to note that certain printer manufacturers state that their inks are specially formulated to work with their brand of paper. So that is something you may want to consider depending on the type of printer you are working with.

Let the vast selection of paper options available inspire your creativity. From sticker project paper to iron-on transfer paper… the possibilities are endless! So let’s get this printable party started!

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

For further information, please refer to our Ordering & Download Information, FAQ and Digital Downloads Terms of Use.