Read this article to learn how to print a large image on multiple sheets of paper using a PC or Mac.
Steps
Part 1 of 2: Using Rasterbator to Enlarge the Image
Step 1. Visit https://rasterbator.net/ in a web browser
Rasterbator is a website known for helping to create posters on Windows and MacOS computers.
Step 2. Click Create your poster
Step 3. Select an image
There are three ways to do this:
- Type or paste the image URL into the “Load from URL” field and click Load.
- click in Choose File to access your computer folders, select the image, click Open and finally click on Upload.
- Drag an image saved in a folder on your computer to the “Drag image file here” box.
Step 4. Select paper settings
In "Paper Settings", follow the instructions below:
- Choose the paper size that will be used for printing, such as A4 (210x297 mm) or US Letter (216x279mm).
- Choose whether the poster format will be portrait (Portrait) or landscape (Landscape).
- Set the length of the margin. Margins are necessary because most common printers don't print all the way to the edge of the paper. So if the margins are too small, part of the image will be cut off. The pattern (10 mm) should suffice.
- Check the box “Overlap pages by 5 mm” to overlap the pages and get a better final result in your print. The overlay will make it easier to join the images together after the margins are removed.
Step 5. Choose your poster size
The “Output size” section determines the size of the poster based on the number of layers of sheets that will be making up the image. The greater the number of layers, the larger the poster size.
- Enter the number of layers in the first box.
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From the drop-down menu, select the option wide or high.
- For example, if you type “6” in the “sheets” box and select the option wide, the image will consist of six columns of sheets. Rasterbator will define the total number of sheets that the poster must have to fit the image.
- If you select the option high, the image in the previous example would be formed by six rows of leaves.
- The grid in the preview image will show the total number of sheets needed.
Step 6. Click Continue
Step 7. Select a style
Rasterbator offers some artistic effect options for you to add to your poster. Click on a style (a preview will appear in the image opposite) or select no effects to skip this step.
the styles rasterbation and black and white rasterbation are the most popular choices.
Step 8. Click Continue
Step 9. Select your color preferences
You can customize the colors of your image if you have added a style to it.
Color options will not affect your poster if you selected no effects (no effects) in the previous step.
Step 10. Click Continue
Step 11. Choose the final style options
The options displayed on this screen vary depending on the style you previously selected.
- If you haven't selected a style, you can add some effects to the final product from the menu displayed at the top of the screen. Select Enlarge (enlarge) to leave the image as it is.
- To make it easier to crop the edges, check the box next to “Crop marks”. This option is not necessary if you have added the 5mm overlap on your pages.
Step 12. Click on Complete X page poster
In place of the “X” you will see the number of pages you should print. After clicking this button, the website will mount the image.
Step 13. Download the PDF
click in OK or Save (options vary by computer and browser used) to download the print-ready image.
Part 2 of 2: Printing the Image
Step 1. Open the PDF
Double-click the file you downloaded via Rasterbator to open it in your computer's default PDF reader.
Although Rasterbator recommends using Adobe X Reader, you can use any reader you prefer
Step 2. Click File
You'll find this option in the menu bar located at the top of the screen on both a Windows computer and a Mac.
Step 3. Click Print
Your computer's printing options will open.
Step 4. Select your printer
If the printer you want to use doesn't appear next to the "Printer" heading, click on the list to select it.
Step 5. Select the paper size
click in Size or paper size and then select the same size that was defined in Rasterbator.
Step 6. Select the “Adjust” option
If you are using a Mac, you may need to click “Show Details” to find this option.
- Select Fit to paper size on a Mac computer.
- If you are using Adobe Reader for Windows, check the “Fit” option under “Page Scaling & Handling”.
Step 7. Do not set the printer to print on both sides of the paper
Each part of the image must be printed on one sheet for the poster to be assembled correctly.
- On a Windows computer, make sure “Print on both sides of paper” is NOT checked.
- If you are using a Mac, select Layout from the menu in the center of the printer screen, and make sure the "Two-Sided Printing" option is set to Disabled.
Step 8. Click Print
Images will be sent to the printer.
Step 9. Arrange the pages in the right order on a spacious surface
If you've used multiple sheets to print the image, it can be difficult to figure out the position of each one. Lucky for you, each page has a marker in the lower right corner telling you how to connect them.
Step 10. Cut the margins
Use the marks shown on the outside of the image as a guide and cut with a knife and ruler so that the edges are not crooked.
Step 11. Join the sheets together to form the complete image
To join the pages, you can use masking tape, glue, thumbtacks or any other item you prefer.