FAQs

“WHAT IS A PDF?”
The name PDF stands for Portable Document Format which is a file format developed by Adobe in the 1990s to present documents, including text formatting and images, in a manner independent of application software, hardware, and operating systems.

“WHAT PAGE SIZE IS MY PDF?”
Once downloaded, simply open your pdf file in Adobe Acrobat Reader, press Ctrl+D or File; Properties (Document Properties). And voilà! In the Advanced Information Section, you will find ‘Page size’. You can show the page size in the bottom left of the screen by clicking on the edit menu and selecting preferences.  Select Page Display on the left menu and then on the right side under ‘Page Content and Information’ tick the box ‘Always show document page size’.
If your page size is in imperial you can change it to metric by clicking on the edit menu and selecting preferences, select units on the left menu and you’ll see the page units options there.

“WHY CAN’T I UPLOAD MY PDF?”
Sometimes you might struggle to upload your PDF, this is because the pdf file size is too large, the solution is to order your pattern as normal and then email or wetransfer your file to us and we’ll do the rest. To find the size of your pdf press Ctrl+D or File; Properties (Document Properties). And voilà! In the Advanced Information Section, you will find ‘File size’.

“Viewing PDF Files; Layers” There are lots of software that you can use to view PDF files, the best known is Adobe Reader.  PDF viewers/readers are just that – viewers, so what you see is what the author wanted you to see, that’s why it’s so good for printing as it’s information is ‘set in stone’ (exept layers see below).

Layers – Be aware!!
Depending on how a PDF file has been created by the author it can contain what is referred to as layers.  Think of these as layers of tracing paper with different information on them, individual but when you put them over each other you see all the information.  A PDF file that contains layers will only show the layers that the author has defined on the file creation.  In order to see any layers that are switched off you have to access the layers tab on the left.  If there are no layers this will not be available, if there are you can switch the layers on or off as applicable.

BE AWARE – Switching layers on/off is your responsibility and once you close the PDF the layer state will not save and will return to the original state the author set. For printing we will always print as the author intended, if you require us to turn any layers on/off for printing you must tell us on the order which layers you require by it’s name. We are unique in that we offer a range of papers you can choose from to have your sewing patterns printed onto, but what are the choices and how do I know which one to choose?

Firstly lets explain where we refer to gsm this stands for grammes per square metre, so it’s the weight of the paper.  To give you some reference the paper you would put into a normal home printer is usually 80gsm.

40gsm – This paper is our lightest and most cost effective stock but don’t think that this is anywhere near a inferior paper.  It’s more like the traditional sewing pattern paper, slightly see through but will NOT tear easily.  It can be used for tracing and is by far the most popular sewing pattern printing paper.  A great choice and you won’t be disappointed.
60gsm – This is our mid range paper and costs slightly more than the 40gsm in part due to the postage costs.
75gsm – This is our heaviest paper in the range and if you want to trace you pattern it might be the one for you.  Again slightly more money due to postage costs.

Ultimately your paper choice is down to your personal choice but whichever one you choose you will not be disappointed.

“PRICING PITFALLS!”
OK so you’ve googled ‘printing PDF sewing patterns’ and lots of companies show up promising the lowest price, so who do you choose? Many companies like to show an initial low price to ‘get you in’ by the time you get to the checkout they hope you are so far in you won’t start looking for alternatives.

CHECK 1 – Does the price include VAT? If it doesn’t you need to add a big 20% to your price.  Some companies only add this at the checkout and make it difficult to see.  Dotty Print prices always include VAT.
CHECK 2 – Does the price include delivery? This can be as much as £10.00 and again you only find out at the checkout.  Dotty Print prices include postage and make it very clear you can upgrade this at your choice from just £1.00!
CHECK 3 – Does the price include colour?  Some printing companies charge extra for colour printing and this can be considerably more that their black & white prices.  Sewing pattens are often created in colour to differentiate between the sizes.  Its worth double checking that you are ordering in colour and if there is any additional cost.  Dotty Print doesn’t charge extra for colour and print each pattern as it appears on screen.
CHECK 4 – Is there a minimum order value?  Again a minimum order value this can be added at the checkout giving you a little surprise or you might not even notice let alone going to find an alternative printer!  Dotty Print prices start at £4.99 inc VAT and postage, no nasty surprises from us!

“WHAT SOME DON’T WANT YOU TO KNOW!”
We always like to think that people are being honest especially when you already have a connection with them.  There are many businesses, designers, bloggers and others out there that will recommend printing companies, should you believe them?  We know and have been told some printing companies pay commission for every referral.  If a company only recommends one or two printing companies we believe they are not doing the best for their customers, if they recommend half a dozen companies this gives the customer a good choice and probably means they are less likely to be paid commission.