People who like to sew love finding patterns in PDFs. They can find unlimited varieties of sewing patterns in PDF format worldwide on the web. As soon as they buy it, they can use that pattern for their project that same day. However, there is just one catch – how would you print it?
If you want to be able to use your pattern right away, you will probably have to spend a couple of hours cutting out sections of the pattern and taping them together to make the complete pattern pieces. That can be quite a chore if you have many pages to print out.
However, if you don’t want to spend all that time cutting and taping and would not mind paying a bit more just so you can get right to sewing, your solution might be to use copyshop printing.
Copyshop printing or A0 format explained
You might be wondering what copyshop and A0 pattern files are. Copyshop and A0 sheets are unlike the standard 8.5″x11″ or A4 paper. These can fit the full size of a piece of pattern such as a pant leg, a sleeve, etc. Printing on this will not need you to cut and tape together many pieces of paper. Copyshop paper is mainly used in the U.S., which is 36″ x 46″. A0 paper used in other countries is 33″ x 47″.
These size differences are irrelevant for patterns you get from KittyPatterns. Each pattern has a zip file with instructions, an A4 format file you can print at home and A0 format file for copyshop printing. No matter where you are located, you can send A0 file to any commercial printer that does copyshop or A0 printing.
Benefits of A0 printing
The biggest benefit of A0 printing is the time you save. In addition, you don’t have to deal with the trouble associated with at-home printers. How often have you tried to print something at home, only to find out that the printer is out of ink?
If you have multiple patterns, you can usually send these patterns to your printing service in a batch and save some money on shipping. Some print shops allow you to choose the weight of the paper you wish to print on, like a lighter-weight or heavier-weight. Your printer at home does not give you these options.
Since your pattern is in a PDF file, you can print it out more than once if you want to. Also, you won’t have to do a lot of cutting and taping. That means you will not risk unintentionally changing the pattern size if you don’t cut or tape with precision, and A0 printing is a lot more accurate.
Selecting a printer
Each copyshop has its way of doing things, and sewing enthusiasts have different preferences in how they want their patterns printed and shipped. In choosing the right printer, here are some things to think about:
Printing Cost: This is probably the primary factor for most people when choosing where they should have their patterns printed. Some copyshops charge per sheet, some offer a sliding scale based on the number of sheets in the order, and some require a minimum order.
Shipping Cost: Shipping rates can be vastly different depending on the store and the country. If there is no A0 printer available locally, you will have to settle for a printer that will ship internationally. On the other hand, if you live close to a copyshop, you might be able to pick up your print order and not deal with shipping. Just be sure to include the shipping cost when figuring out the total cost of your print order. You might find that flat rates only apply to a limited number of sheets and that shipping costs can often cost as much or more than the printing cost.
Rolled or Folded Patterns: If you don’t want your pattern to have folds or creases, some copyshops offer unfolded prints that they can send rolled up in a long shipping tube. This shipping method usually comes at a premium. All copyshops do not provide this, so if this is something you want, check to see if your printer offers this service before you send your file to them to print.
Choice of Paper: Most shops will print your file on paper that has a similar weight to standard printer paper. However, some copyshops offer you the option of printing on lightweight paper, like tissue paper or heavier-weight paper. In the U.S., you can specify the pound (lb) of the paper, and in other countries – the grams per square meter or gsm. Standard paper is 20 lb or 90 gsm. A lower number represents lighter paper, and a higher number represents sturdier paper.
Ultimately, your selection of printing services will depend on your budget, your preferences, and what printing services are available to you locally.
Use this link to download a list of available copyshops worldwide, so you can easily print your pattern and start sewing your dream project right away.
