Tip: Use matte photo paper or high-quality presentation paper for the best results. These papers absorb ink well and reduce glare, giving a more realistic look to your brick papers and textures.

• Cardstock (160-200gsm): Ideal for durable model applications where you're not using thicker card as a base.
• Matte photo paper (120-150gsm): Produces sharp, vibrant details and gives good results when "wrapping" thicker card models.
• Standard printer paper (80gsm): Works ok, but may look less realistic as the results tend to be a little fuzzy. If you're using a laser printer, you can however get great results with humble copier paper as the toners don't soak into the paper fibres.

Inkjet Printers:

✔ Best for vibrant colors and fine details when using Matte photopaper.

✔ Ideal for crisp, detailed textures and photographic quality results.

✘ May smudge/blurr if using cheap paper.

✘ Prints aren't waterproof, so you'll need to protect your finished model with a matte acrylic lacquer.

Laser Printers:

✔ Produces crisp lines and waterproof prints.

✔ Works well with standard and cardstock papers.

✘ May struggle with very fine color gradients.

✘ Can result in slightly shiny prints, particularly on textures that use high toner coverage such as dark brick and slates. In which case, we recommend giving your finished models a light coat of matte acrylic lacquer to remove the shine.

Use printer color calibration or print a test page before large projects, and always try to print your papers in batches using the same ink cartridge where possible.

Select “Best Quality” or “High DPI” in print settings.

If colors look too dark or dull, adjust the brightness or contrast settings in your printer driver.

• Print on textured paper for added depth. This can be sourced from most art & craft shops.
• Use matte finish spray sealant to remove any unwanted glossiness. This is especially important when using a laser printer.
• Try lightly scoring mortar lines with a blunt craft knife, or empty ballpoint pen for a subtle 3D effect.

• Ensure you are using the highest resolution PDF available. All of our PDF files are at least 300dpi which will always give you professional quality prints.
• Print at 100% scale (Do Not Scale to Fit) to maintain correct proportions. If you're enlarging a print from a smaller scale, this will invariably result in unavoidable pixelation.
• Use the correct paper type setting (e.g., “Photo Paper” for matte paper). And make sure you're printing in Photo quality mode, not draft or high-speed.

Unfortunately, your prints can sometime look a little darker than they do on the screen. That's because your printer & computer screen haven't been calibrated.

• The quick way to fix this is to increase the brightness and contrast slightly in your printer settings.
• Use photo paper mode or set ICC profiles for accurate color representation.
• If using an inkjet, make sure the print head nozzles are clean and that all colours are being printed onto the paper.

• Always use a sharp craft knife and metal ruler for precise cuts.
• Spray adhesive such as 3M Spray Mount provides smooth, even adhesion without warping.
• Mod Podge can work well for application on foam board or wood but you will need some practise.
• We always get great results with good old UHU. A light even coat on the area to be covered with brick paper works a treat in most cases.

• Allow prints to fully dry for at least 15 minutes before handling. While they may appear dry, if you're printing ink-dense textures they can take a while to dry properly.
• Use fast-drying, smudge-resistant paper (matte photo or presentation paper).
• Consider spraying a light coat of clear fixative or acrylic sealer for protection. We get great results with most clear matte acrylic lacquers available from B&Q, Halfords, The Range etc.

• Use heavier-weight paper where possible (120gsm or higher).
• Let prints fully dry on a flat surface before stacking or using.
• If curling persists, place under a heavy book for a few hours.

• Print Quality: Best or High DPI (600+ recommended)
• Paper Type: Match the type you are using (Matte, Photo, or Cardstock)
• Scaling: 100% (Disable “Fit to Page”)
• Color Profile: Select Vivid or High Contrast for detailed textures

Tip: To avoid compatibility issues and ensure the best printing results, always use the latest version of Adobe Acrobat Reader.

• How to check for updates:

1. Open Adobe Reader.
2. Go to Help > Check for Updates.
3. Follow the prompts to update if necessary.

Tip: Opening your PDF at 100% scale ensures your textures are printed in the correct size without distortion.

• How to open at 100% scale:

1. Open the PDF file in Adobe Reader.
2. Click on the View menu and select Zoom > Actual Size or press Ctrl+1 (Windows) or Cmd+1 (Mac).
3. This ensures the printout will match the design as it appears on screen.

Tip: Always check the Print Preview to confirm that the scale and margins are correct before sending the document to print.

• How to check Print Preview:

1. Open the PDF and click File > Print.
2. In the print dialog, click Preview (depending on your printer and Adobe Reader version).
3. Ensure the document fits the page correctly, with no scaling issues. The scale should be set to 100% or Actual Size.

Tip: Some printers automatically scale the document to fit the page, which may distort your textures. Disable this option for accurate prints.

• How to disable scaling:

1. In the Print dialog, look for an option like Page Scaling or Size Options.
2. Select Actual Size or None to prevent scaling.
3. Note: If you select “Fit to Page” or “Shrink to Fit,” the PDF may be resized, potentially affecting the accuracy of your texture details.

Tip: Adjust print settings in Adobe Reader to match the type of paper you’re using for optimal results.

• How to adjust print settings:

1. In the Print dialog, under Properties (or Preferences), choose the paper type (e.g., Matte Paper, Photo Paper).
2. Set the quality to the highest setting for best color and detail.
3. Some printers allow you to select Custom Paper Size—use this if your paper size differs from the default.

Tip: Sometimes, the orientation of the PDF may not match the paper you’re printing on. Always confirm it before printing to avoid wasting paper.

• How to check orientation:

1. Open the PDF and check the content’s orientation on screen.
2. If needed, rotate the document:

• Click View > Rotate View > Clockwise or Counterclockwise.

1. Alternatively, in the Print dialog, you can select the orientation (Portrait or Landscape).

Tip: Some printers leave a border on the paper. If you want the texture to print edge-to-edge, ensure you have a borderless printing option.

• How to enable borderless printing:

1. Open the Print dialog in Adobe Reader.
2. Click on Properties and check for a borderless option under the Layout or Paper/Quality tab.
3. Select Borderless if your printer supports it, allowing the print to reach the edges of the page.

Tip: If your PDF appears pixelated or blurry when opened in Adobe Reader, the resolution may be low. Always try to print from the highest quality PDF available.

• How to ensure good quality:
• Use a PDF file that is high resolution (300 DPI or higher for detailed textures).
• Avoid downloading lower-quality files, as they may result in blurry or pixelated prints.

Tip: Sometimes, PDF files may have non-standard page sizes (e.g., A4 vs. Letter). Confirm the paper size in the Page Setup to avoid issues.

• How to check page size:

1. In Adobe Reader, go to File > Properties.
2. Under the Description tab, check the Page Size.
3. Ensure that your printer settings are set to match the paper size in the PDF file.

Tip: Some PDFs may contain layers (e.g., textures or additional details). You can toggle these layers on or off for more control over printing specific elements.

• How to use layers in Adobe Reader:

1. If the PDF is layered, go to View > Show/Hide > Navigation Panes > Layers.
2. Toggle layers on or off to print only the parts you need (e.g., print just the brick texture or only the mortar lines).