How to print a coloring page in A4 and PDF — a guide

Open the coloring page, click "Download PDF", open the file and print it on A4 paper at 100% scale or with "Fit to page". That's it. Below are the details in case the printout doesn't come out the way you want.

Every coloring page and worksheet offers three options:

• "Print" opens your browser's print dialog. It's the fastest option when you print a single page straight away.
• PDF is a file prepared for A4 with margins. It looks the same on every printer, so it's the best choice for printing and for saving for later.
• PNG (coloring pages) or SVG (worksheets) is an image. It's handy when you want to put it into your own document or color it in a tablet app.

If you're not sure, choose PDF.

Check five things in the print dialog:

• Paper size: A4 (210 × 297 mm). Printers bought in North America are often set to Letter, which is slightly shorter; if you use Letter paper, choose "Fit to page".
• Orientation: portrait for most coloring pages; landscape only for pictures that are wider than they are tall.
• Scale: 100% ("Actual size") or "Fit to page". Both give the full picture; the second helps when edges are cut off.
• Margins: default. Borderless printing isn't needed and often cuts the outline.
• Color: black and white or grayscale, because a coloring page is a black outline.

Before printing several pages, look at the print preview. It saves wasted sheets.

On Android, open the page, download the PDF, then choose "Print" in the share menu. The phone will find a printer on the same Wi-Fi network if it supports mobile printing (Mopria). On iPhone and iPad it works the same way through "Share" → "Print", as long as the printer supports AirPrint.

If the printer doesn't show up, install the printer maker's app or send the PDF to a computer and print from there.

Coloring pages are black and white, so you don't need color cartridges. Set printing to grayscale and "draft" or "economy" quality. The outline stays clear and a cartridge lasts for many more pages.

Ordinary 80 gsm office paper is fine for crayons. For markers and paints, thicker 120–160 gsm paper works better because it doesn't bleed through or wrinkle. Failed printouts can be turned over for free drawing.

When you want to print several coloring pages at once, for a birthday party or a preschool group, use "My PDF". On a coloring page click "Add to my PDF", and when you've collected them all, download one file with one picture per A4 page. You need to sign in to download the set. You print it with one command instead of opening each page separately.

In schools, double-sided printing works for worksheets. Print coloring pages single-sided, because crayons and markers show through.

The most common problems and their causes:

• Edges cut off: turn on "Fit to page" or reduce the scale to 95%.
• Small picture in the middle of the page: turn off "Actual size" and choose "Fit to page".
• Faint or broken lines: ink is running low, nozzles are dry or economy mode is too strong. Run head cleaning from the printer menu.
• Grey background instead of white: turn off printing of background graphics or switch to black and white.
• Blank page: check that the PDF downloaded completely and open it again.

If the problem affects only one coloring page, email us at [email protected] and we'll check the file.

You may print PrintyKids coloring pages and worksheets for home use, in preschools, schools and therapy sessions, in any number of copies. You may not sell them or publish them as your own material. Details are in the terms of service.