How to plot a PDF file
About CED Plotters
- CED operates a fleet of wide-format inkjet printers, a.k.a. "plotters", from HP and Canon. View a list of our printers »
- All plotters are loaded with 36" wide rolls of 24 lb. bond paper. The corresponding "Media Type" for this paper is "Plain Paper".
- For best results incorporate a one-quarter inch white border around the edge of your document.
- Canon plotters cannot process a page size greater than 126" on the longest edge.
- You can use any software application to design your document.
- When design is complete, convert your document into Adobe PDF. Learn more »
- Misprints resulting from user error are not refundable.
I. Open Your File in Adobe Acrobat
- Create your file in the application of your choice.
- Save it as an Adobe PDF file. Learn more »
- Open the file in Adobe Acrobat.
- Do not print from other applications that can open PDFs.
- Select File → Properties
- Immediately look at the PDF Document Properties.
- Page Size is displayed as "Width x Length" in inches.
- In the example below, 46.59" x 35.34" is too wide and will cause a misprint because 46.59" is wider than the 36" paper loaded in the printer.
- Page Size is displayed as "Width x Length" in inches.
- If the preoperties do not match what you expected, open your original document in its original application, adjust, and re-create your PDF.
- Plotter paper is 36” wide but always allow for a one-quarter inch border when printed. In other words, the design of your document shouldn't be more than 35.5" wide on one side.
- If your document is exactly 36” wide it may misprint.
- If it is larger than 36” wide it will misprint.
II. Select Plotter and Identify Default Sizes
- Select File → Print for the initial print setup.
- Select the correct plotter in the "Printer" drop-down menu.
- Inspect the Document Size and the Page Size above the print preview image.
- By default, Adobe Acrobat defaults sets the Page Size to 8.5" x 11", a.k.a. "Letter" size and the "Orientation" to "Portrait" -- no matter the size of your document.
- In the example below, note the mismatch between the Document Size (35.3" x 46.6") and the Page Size (8.5" x 11"). This will result in a misprint if we don't adjust our Page Size as described later.
- "Clipped" misprints normally indicate a discrepancy between the "Document" size, the "Page Size", and/or the size of the paper loaded in the printer.
- Make sure "Choose paper source by PDF page size" is not checked.
- Do not select "Print in grayscale" if you are printing color.
- Side note: The color black may output as a mixture of colors on a color printer, depending on the nature of the document being printed. Black may output as blue-black, red-black, etc. It's a good idea to print a color test first by printing your document at a smaller size. Only by using a black and white printer, or by making all the graphics yourself, can you guarantee that all of the black areas in your document will appear identical.
III. Portrait or Landscape
- Note the options in the "Orientation" section of the "Print" dialog box.
- The default setting is typically “Auto portrait/landscape". This is usually the best choice, although you can change it as needed.
- In some situations, this option can result in a misprint, so test first.
- When possible, design your original document with the proper orientation in mind so you don't have to worry about this setting.
IV. Mismatched Sizes = Misprints
- Under "Page Sizing & Handling", select "Actual size" (which is usually checked by default).
- Note the Document Size and Page Size dimensions above the print preview on the right size of the print dialog box. Mismatched sizes will result in misprints.
- For example, note the size mismatch in the image below. This print job will print, tiled, on 8.5” x 11” paper. Clicking on the "Poster" button reveals how the document would be split up onto 24 letter-sized sheets of paper if we printed it using these settings. See the example in the image below. Misprints of this nature are not eligible for a refund.
- Note the matching sizes in the image below. This indicates you're on the right path to a successful print job.
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- For example, note the size mismatch in the image below. This print job will print, tiled, on 8.5” x 11” paper. Clicking on the "Poster" button reveals how the document would be split up onto 24 letter-sized sheets of paper if we printed it using these settings. See the example in the image below. Misprints of this nature are not eligible for a refund.
- Note the Document Size and Page Size dimensions above the print preview on the right size of the print dialog box. Mismatched sizes will result in misprints.
V. Page Size & Handling Options
Under "Page Sizing & Handling", select the option that best suits your print job:
- Fit
- Reduces/enlarges each page to fit the printable area of the selected paper size
- Depending on the file, this may misprint with fuzzy images or with some images resized and others not. Resulting misprints are not refundable.
- Actual Size
- If your document size and page size are the same, this is usually the best choice.
- Prints the pages without scaling
- Pages or selections that are larger than the paper size will be cut off. Resulting misprints are not refundable.
- Shrink oversized pages
- Shrinks large pages to fit the selected paper size
- Does not enlarge small pages. Resulting misprints are not refundable.
- If an area is selected and is larger than the printable area of the currently selected paper, it’s scaled to fit the printable area.
- Custom Scale
- Resizes the page by the percentage you specify
- Can cause issues. It is better to reformat your document in its original software.