How to print coloring pages at home
Cropped edges and tiny drawings almost always come from two settings: the paper size and the scale. Try the combinations below to see what will come out of your printer.
The drawing is taller or wider than your paper: the edges (dashed red) will be cut off. Download the other size, or choose “Fit to page”.
1. Download the right paper size
Choose US Letter (8.5 × 11 in) in the United States and Canada, and A4 (210 × 297 mm) almost everywhere else. Our download button picks it for you; the other size is always one link away.
2. Print at actual size
In the print window, find Scale or Page sizing and choose Actual size (100 %). Use Fit to page only if the paper and the PDF are different sizes.
3. Print line art in grayscale
Black line art prints best in Grayscale or Black ink only: sharper lines and your color cartridges stay full.
4. Printing from a phone or tablet
Open the PDF, tap the share icon and choose Print. AirPrint printers appear automatically on iPhone and iPad; on Android, use the default print service or your printer’s app.
Quick fixes
- Edges cut off: download the other size, or choose Fit to page.
- Faint grey lines: raise the quality and turn off toner or ink saving.
- Ink bleeding through: see the best paper for coloring pages.
Step by step
- 1Download the PDF in your paper size. US Letter in North America, A4 elsewhere.
- 2Open the print window. Open the PDF and press Print.
- 3Set scale to actual size. Choose Actual size or 100 %.
- 4Choose grayscale. Print line art in black ink only for crisp lines.
Questions
Why are the edges of my coloring page cut off?
The PDF and the paper are different sizes. Download the size of your paper or choose Fit to page.
Should I print coloring pages in color or grayscale?
Grayscale or black only: the lines are sharper and you save color ink.
