Well I did a thing! Not planned at all, but still, an experience worth sharing. I had a pattern printed at a copyshop for the first time. I prefer and typically purchase pdf patterns over paper for the speed of it all, as well as storage. I just keep a digital file of all my pdf patterns. So when I wanted to purchase the Grainline Studio Field Bag pattern yesterday, I of course, purchased the pdf, not realizing until afterwards that the pattern consisted of actual pattern pieces, rather that measurements for the pattern pieces, as I had assumed. That's probably because they are primarily a garment pattern company, which makes perfect sense. But I wasn't keen on taping 18 pages together, so looked to see if there was a print shop locally that could print the pattern out for me.
Luckily, the FedEx Office Print & Ship Center a few miles from my house could! There were several options and the trickiest part of the whole process was deciding which print option applied. I finally chose Document Printing, then Blueprints & Architectural Drawings ("oversize prints"), which was exactly what I needed. The print options might vary, of course, at a different shop. It was so easy to upload the pdf file - the one I needed in this pattern was labeled "CopyShopUS," one of several files that came with the original pattern download. And I needed to select a paper size of 36" x 48", which I guess is pretty standard. Surprisingly, I got a notice that my printed pattern was ready to pick up just 30 minutes later, but I certainly wouldn't assume that's a normal turnaround speed. I guess Friday night the week before Christmas isn't a busy time at the copyshop. Anyway, I waited until the next morning to run out and pick it up.
Above is a photo of the complete pattern on my cutting table - oversized for sure, but I managed fine cutting out the pattern pieces with a ruler and my rotary cutter.
Admittedly, this wasn't the most cost-effective way to go. On top of the pattern price, it cost me $9 to have the pattern printed. But it was worth it to me, at least this time; and I'd use the same process again if I needed to. As I told the clerk at the store, it was my first time doing something new, but it proved to be so easy.
Many of you may have much more experience than I printing to a copyshop, so I'd be happy to hear about your experiences. Also, I found this article, How to Print PDF Patterns Using a Copyshop by Cashmerette, quite interesting, with much more information than I needed for my bag pattern, but you might find it useful for your copyshop printing job. Anyway, I'm happy I tried it, have my fabric picked out, and now just need to get cutting it out and sew it up. I'll be sure and share it once it's done!
cool! despite the fact that I buy quite a few garment patterns, I have not done copy shop printing. taping all those pages together does get old though
ReplyDeleteDo you know how much it costs for at home printing? Including your time? Paper, ink and time might be more than $9. Of course there is the cost of traveling to the print shop. But the durability of the pattern pieces should be greater than the printing at home and perhap more accurate. ??
ReplyDeleteLesley, I do NOT know - but point taken! Thanks for mentioning that!
DeleteI definitely find it costs less to print at a copy shop than I should charge for my per hour rate to tape pattern pages together. Whenever I can wait for shipping, i try to buy paper patterns to avoid the extra fee of the copy shop printing or the time tax of taping.
ReplyDeleteWell that's a very good point, as I obviously undervalued my time. Thanks for mentioning that!
DeleteWhat a perfect use for your copy shop's services! It sounds like you found the perfect options and I'm impressed they had the print ready so quickly. I look forward to seeing how the bag turns out.
ReplyDeleteI had no idea you could get those services at a copy shop. Thanks for sharing. I'm wondering how much it would have cost to just have the actual pattern mailed to you. I guess the drawback on that would be the time for shipping. Thanks for sharing that.
ReplyDeleteI wondered how the copy shop service worked. I try to order the printed pattern but sometimes they only offer a PDF. With the PDF I have been printing and taping the pattern pieces together. So do I have this right, you uploaded the file from home and chose the options on the website and then they printed it off? Sounds super easy except knowing what size paper to choose
ReplyDeleteWhen I order at an engineering firm, if a client ordered extra large size drawings (extra to what was already in the contract), we would charge $10 per sheet. I think the printers used to cost a lot more back then too. So $9 is a fair price.
ReplyDeleteSorry, that should say "when I worked at an engineering firm...
DeleteThanks for sharing your adventure. That's good info to file for future need.
ReplyDeleteI purchased the Elevated Abstractions: Mt Hood quilt pattern - it is paper pieced and required legal size printouts - I went to a copy shop to print it out - they did not carry newsprint paper (odd) and it cost me a fortune to print the pattern out - will think twice before doing it again!
ReplyDeleteBuy a paper pattern? Never! It's easier to store files than it is to find a storage place in my tiny, overflowing sewing room. It's rare to even purchase a paper book anymore. Large format printing services are great, and the extra cost is worth it to me.
ReplyDeleteThe fragility of printed patterns is a problem in my house - the Six-the-Cat will wake up from a sound sleep and come running at the sound of the unfurling of paper or fabric. She has extra toes and that tissue paper would be ruined in a heartbeat.