Read the file.
A PDF pattern looks like a lot of lines at first. It has only four parts to know: the cover, the layers, the sheets and the units.
The cover
- The cover is the first page. It carries the two squares you measure after printing: the large one is 5 cm and the small one inside it is 1 in.
- If the squares measure right on paper, the whole pattern is printed at the right size.
The layers
- Each size is its own layer, so one file holds every size.
- In Adobe Acrobat Reader, the Layers panel lists them. The eye icon turns a size on or off.
- Print with only your size switched on.
The sheets
- An A4 or US Letter pattern comes in several sheets, named by column and row: A1, B1, C1 on the first row, then A2, B2, C2.
- The sheets join like a map. The diamonds on the edges tell you when two sheets are in the right place: the triangles make a whole diamond.
The units
- Every measurement is in centimeters, with the inches beside it.
- The A0 file is one large sheet printed at a copy shop, and the projector file needs no paper.
How you know it is right
You can name the four parts: cover, layers, sheets and units.
The next guides show how to print the file and join the sheets.
Questions
What are the two squares on the cover?
They check the scale after printing. The large one must measure exactly 5 cm and the small one inside it exactly 1 in.
What are size layers?
Each size of the pattern is its own layer in the PDF. You turn the eye icon off for the sizes that are not yours, and print only yours.
What do A1, B1 and C1 mean?
They name the sheets by column and row. A1, B1, C1 is the first row, then A2, B2, C2 is the second.
Are the measurements in centimeters or inches?
Both. Every measurement is in centimeters, with the inches beside it.