Sewing pattern formats and where to print them

Despite being a rather new option for sewists, patterns in a PDF format have gained popularity. If you buy a pattern on Sewing Partner, you normally get several digital documents of different formats and can choose the one you like the most. What are the available formats? What are their pros and cons? Read this article to find out.

There are 4 main printing formats: A4, US letter,  A0, and Copyshop. 

A4 and US letter

Those are the most common formats to print at home or office. The differences are in size and geography.

A4 pages are 210 mm x 297 mm (8.27” x 11.69”). It’s a common format used almost everywhere in the world.

US letter pages are 215.9 mm x 279.4 mm (8.5” x 11”). This format is used in North and South America. 

The main advantage of these formats is that you can print your PDF patterns at home, in the office, or anywhere else you like. However, you’ll have to assemble them by hand, taping or gluing the pages together, which is quite time-consuming, but many people enjoy this process. 

A0 and Copyshop

Unlike A4 or US letter formats, copyshop and A0 sheets can accommodate the full size of pattern pieces. To print documents that come in these formats, you need a professional printing machine also called a plotter, which you can find in local or online copy shops.

A0 pages are 841 mm х1189 mm (33.1” x 46.8”). It’s a common format used almost everywhere in the world.

Copyshop paper is 914.4 mm x 1168.4 mm (36” x 46”) and is used primarily in the US. 

These pattern formats allow you to move straight to sewing, without wasting precious time on taping and assembling a myriad of pages. On the downside, this option can be pricier, so you might need to spend some money to save some time.

How do you usually print your patterns? Do you find taping the A4 pages together calming or do you prefer to print on the plotter? If you’ve never printed large-format patterns, now you have a great opportunity to try it and save a buck. We at Sewing Partner have arranged discount codes for you to print patterns in copy shops all around the world!

Promo codes for printing:

Canada and USA:

https://spoolandspindle.com/

Code: Spool&Partner

Get 10% off printing

UK:

https://patternsy.com/ 

Code: SP10 

Get 10% off printing only. Doesn’t apply to postage costs. Valid for 30 days from the date of publication. Multiple orders from the same person are allowed.

US:

https://brooklynmotifprinting.com/ 

Code: SEWMORETAPELESS20

Get 20% off printing. One-time use only.

Australia: 

https://mdmcopycentre.com.au/

Code: 15SEW

Get a 15% discount on orders over 10 A0 sewing patterns in one transaction.

Denmark:

https://gladprint.dk/

Code: SEWINGPARTNER10

Get 10% off printing. One-time use only.

France:

https://impressionplan.fr/

Code: SEWINGPARTNER10

Get 10% off printing. One-time use only. The discount doesn’t apply to shipping costs.

Where do you live? Where do you usually print your patterns? We would love to arrange more discount codes for printing in your favourite copy shops!