EZGlassPattern guide

How do I print a stained glass pattern at actual size?

If the print is even slightly off, your pieces won't fit the finished panel. Here's how to get a true full-size print on a home printer.

Updated

Answer in 30 seconds

Print the PDF at 100% ("Actual size"), turn off "Fit to page" or "Shrink oversized pages", use the paper size the PDF was made for, then measure the printed scale square with a ruler before you cut anything.

  • Scale 100%: never "Fit" or "Shrink to printable area".
  • Right paper: Letter for Letter tiles, A4 for A4 tiles.
  • Measure first: the scale square should measure exactly what it says.

Print settings checklist

  • Scale: 100% / Actual size — in the print dialog, not the app's zoom.
  • Fit to page: off — also turn off "Shrink oversized pages".
  • Paper size matches — Letter or A4, the same as the PDF.
  • Scale square measured — with a ruler, on the first page.
  • Tiles joined on the marks — line up the registration marks, then tape.
  • Two copies — one to cut into templates, one to build on.

Key takeaways

  • Always print at 100% — "Fit to page" quietly shrinks the pattern.
  • Measure the scale square — it's the only way to be sure.
  • Join tiles on the registration marks — not on the paper edges.
  • Print two copies — one for templates, one as the layout sheet.

Check a pattern, or make one from a photo.

Why prints come out the wrong size

Most print dialogs default to fitting the page into the printable area, which shrinks it by a few percent. A few percent is enough to spoil a panel: on a 16 inch pattern, 3% is about half an inch. Printing the wrong paper size (A4 tiles on Letter paper, or the other way round) causes the same problem.

Joining the tiles

Large patterns are printed in tiles across several pages. Trim one edge of each page, line up the registration marks with the next page, and tape. The page grid on each sheet tells you where it goes. Lay the joined pattern flat and measure the overall width and height against the size you planned.

Using the printed pattern

Cut one copy into templates with pattern shears (foil shears take out about 1 mm, lead shears about 1.5 to 2 mm), and keep the other whole as your layout sheet. The numbered key tells you which piece is which; the colour key tells you which glass to use.

The EZGlassPattern pattern packet is a tiled 1:1 PDF on Letter or A4 with registration marks and a page grid. Make one from a photo, or check your pattern first.

Step by step

  1. 1

    Open the PDF

    Open the tiled pattern PDF in a PDF reader rather than printing from a browser preview if you can.

  2. 2

    Choose 100% scale

    In the print dialog, choose Actual size or 100%, and turn off Fit to page and Shrink oversized pages.

  3. 3

    Match the paper

    Load the paper size the PDF was made for: Letter or A4.

  4. 4

    Print and measure

    Print the first page and measure the scale square with a ruler. Fix the settings if it's off.

  5. 5

    Print the rest and join

    Print all pages, trim, line up the registration marks and tape the tiles together.

  6. 6

    Check the overall size

    Measure the joined pattern's width and height against your planned size.

Frequently asked questions

How do I print a pattern without it shrinking?

Choose 100% or Actual size in the print dialog and turn off Fit to page or Shrink oversized pages.

What is the scale square for?

It's a square of known size printed on the pattern. Measure it with a ruler; if it's not exactly right, the print scale is wrong.

Can I print a big pattern on a home printer?

Yes. Tiled patterns are split across Letter or A4 pages with registration marks, so you print them all and tape them together.

Should I print Letter or A4?

Whichever paper you have. Just make sure the PDF was made for the same size you load in the printer.

Why print two copies?

One is cut into templates with pattern shears; the other stays whole as the layout sheet you build the panel on.

The check is free. Pay once when you print.

No account and no card for the cut check. A Project Pass is $5 one-time for 30 days of printable pattern packets, with no subscription. Lifetime covers everything, forever.

See pricing

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