FOLD & AWLLEATHERCRAFT PATTERNS & GUIDESStart making →
LEARN THE CRAFT / PATTERN BASICS

How to print leather patterns at the right size

A few checks before printing can save a whole piece of leather.

FOLD & AWL EDITORIAL · NOVEMBER 2026
01

Choose the correct file

Use the A4 file for A4 paper or the US Letter file for Letter paper. A full-size sheet intended for a print shop is different from a tiled home-printer pattern.

02

Set the scale deliberately

In the PDF print dialogue, choose Actual size or 100%. Turn off Fit to page and Shrink oversized pages. Check orientation and paper size. Print just the calibration page first.

03

Measure in both directions

Measure the printed test square with a physical ruler. A 50 mm square must measure 50 mm horizontally and vertically. If the measurements do not match, fix the print settings before cutting; do not assume a small error is harmless.

04

Join tiled pages by their marks

Follow that pattern’s trimming instructions. Align registration crosses or overlap marks and tape the pages together without stretching the paper. Do not align only the outer paper edges: printer margins can differ.

05

Separate cutting and stitching lines

Read the legend. Cut lines, stitch lines, fold lines and skive areas have different jobs. Confirm whether seam allowances are already included before adding anything. A scaled screen preview is not a cutting template.

Continue with our printing guide and the illustrated instructions included with each Fold & Awl pattern.