The Sewing Place
The Emporia => In the wardrobe => Patterns Discussion => Topic started by: b15erk on November 16, 2020, 14:17:19 PM
-
Searched through all my patterns yesterday for a favourite, and couldn't find it anywhere. :( I think it's at work, and there is no way I'm going in for a while.
I had stored the .pdf on my PC though :thumbsup:, so no problem...
Except, it won't print. :(
Last time I printed it off was on the old Windows system, and since then we have been upgraded to the 21st century. :thumbsup:
Unfortunately, the .pdf doesn't like the 21st century so won't print my pattern. :(
Any ideas? The pattern is showing in full, but when I try to print, only the top left A4 piece emerges from the printer...
The printing information says that it should be set to 'poster', but I have no setting for 'poster' on my printer information. :(
Not holding out much hope here, but any suggestions would be good. :headbang:
Jessie
-
Has the PDF has been set up as a poster size rather than A4? If so, "tile large pages" (or similar) might be the setting that is required.
-
@StitchinTime , I can't find a Tile feature, and when I follow the Brother instructions to print 'Poster', it just enlarges everything! :facepalm:
Never mind, it was worth a shot. :(
Back to the drawing board... :thinking:
Jessie
-
What PDF software and what printer do you have?
-
Don't give up @b15erk There WILL be a way around it somehow, just needs finding, how about looking for new printer drivers, windows should do it for you. My old Dell works fine apart from I can no longer see the tool for seeing how much ink left.
-
@StitchinTime , I have no idea what PDF software I have - not even sure I have any... I'm a bit of a dunce with the tech side of things. :facepalm:
@Gernella , I've tried several ways suggested by Brother, but all I'm doing atm, is wasting paper. :facepalm:
I used to have an HP printer which was far easier than the Brother I'm currently using.
Jessie
-
How do you open your PDF file - perhaps it opens automatically in a web browser with the 21st century upgrade.
If this is the case, you might have more control over the printing settings if you can open it in a PDF reader such as Adobe. If the PDF has been set to a paper size larger than A4, the PDF software is more likely to have an appropriate setting than the printer software.
To confuse matters further, I found I got many more print options when I downloaded the printer drivers from Brother rather than let Windows find and install the printer.
-
Just managed to install more Printer updates from the Brother site, and hoping like you @StitchinTime it will give me more options - what a palaver though!
Jessie
-
If that doesn't work and you need a PDF reader, you could try FOXIT (https://www.foxitsoftware.com/pdf-reader/) or ADOBE (https://acrobat.adobe.com/uk/en/acrobat/pdf-reader.html).
Once you've installed the software, open it and open your PDF file from there. If you open the PDF file from My Computer or File Explorer, it could still use the original method of viewing it as the file associations might not have been updated.
-
I'm going to walk away from it for the time being... :S
I re-installed my drivers after much angst, and I'm no better off - except I now have to log-in to everything again... :S
I'll try Adobe when I've been for a lie down... :facepalm:
Thanks @Stitchalot , maybe tomorrow I'll try again... :S
Jessie
-
Walking away is good, @b15erk I do it often when I'm stuffed, usually coming back gets a result.
-
Decided to give it one more try, and I've done it!! :dance: :dance: :dance:
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! @Stitchalot :hug:
Jessie
-
Glad that you've been successful! What was it that worked in the end or was it a combination of everything?
-
@Stitchalot , I think using my one working brain cell helped!
I now have Adobe installed on my machine, and a printed pattern! :thumbsup:
Now to go and stick it together - it will be sods law to find after I stick it together, that I find the original pattern! :laughing:
Jessie
-
Printers are frustrating beasts. Everyone I've ever had as been temperamental. Last year I bought a Canon laser printer and it defaults to two sided printing which is not what one wants when printing PDF patterns. Adobe has no setting to switch to one sided. The printer has a setting and it was changed but ignores it. I've gone to Canon and Adobe sites and they basically say the other one determines it. Then I read something that suggested I could do one sided using my word processor software which is the open source LibreOffice but it didn't work.
So now should I ever actually want to print a PDF I have to do it one page at a time.
-
I would rather stick needles in my eyes.
-
Each to his own. I feel pretty much the same about flimsy tissue paper patterns!
-
I gave up on printing the patterns at home due to temperamental printers, cost of ink/paper and now send everything to Fabricate (https://fabricateshop.co.uk/products/print-your-own-pdf-sewing-pattern-a0-copyshop?variant=31842415509578). Free pp over £5, includes fabric and everything. There is also 10% off everything at the moment using code LOCKDOWN2VIP. Can be used as often as you like up to 2/12/20
-
For the copy shop versions I use pdfplotting.com in the US. Very reasonable if you order a bunch at a time (fixed cost shipping) and quick turn around. But not all PDF patterns have that available. I'm only willing to use the PDF if there are only about 20 pages. It's way too much work otherwise. Plus it probably is expensive with the ink but I hardly print anything anymore anyway so ink (and now toner) lasts for a long time.
-
The actual patterns use very little ink - they're just a few lines on each page - but the instructions sometimes use a lot, especially those with colour step by step pictures!
-
Decided to give it one more try, and I've done it!! :dance: :dance: :dance:
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! @Stitchalot :hug:
Jessie
I would like to take the credit, but I think @StitchinTime deserves it more!!! :rolleyes:
-
I've started using the Avid Seamstress, the paper is just the right weight and she is quite reasonable as well. Starts at £4.
If I print the instructions out I make sure I only print instructions and nothing else.