Printing Patterns
Calibrate your printer on Android
Use Sewsy’s guided printer calibration to correct patterns that print too large or too small.
Overview
Some Android print services automatically resize PDF files, even when there is no visible scaling control.
Sewsy's printer calibration helps you find the scale correction your printer needs, then applies that correction so future patterns print at the intended size.
Calibration is saved for later printing.
Steps
1. Start printer calibration
Open an existing print pattern, or press Print pattern to choose a PDF file.
The first time you print a pattern on Android, Sewsy automatically asks whether you want to calibrate your printer.
You can choose to calibrate before printing, or skip calibration and print without it.
If you skip it and want to calibrate later, tap the ••• menu in the top right and choose Calibrate printer.
2. Choose the paper settings
Select:
- Letter or A4 paper
- Inches or centimetres
Use the paper size currently loaded in your printer.
3. Print the test sheet
Print the calibration sheet.
The sheet includes several test squares. Each square is labelled with a scale percentage.
Each square should measure either 2 x 2 inches or 5 x 5 cm, depending on the unit you selected.
4. Choose the correct scale
Measure the printed squares with a ruler.
Find the square that measures the correct size.
Enter the scale percentage printed on that square.
If the horizontal and vertical measurements need different corrections, enter separate horizontal and vertical scale values.
5. Print the verification sheet
Continue to print the verification sheet.
Measure it again and confirm that it now matches the expected dimensions.
If it is still inaccurate, update the scale values and repeat the verification.
6. Save the calibration
Once the verification sheet is accurate, save the calibration.
Continue printing your pattern.
Sewsy will remember the printer calibration for future prints.
Tips
Measure with a rigid ruler when possible.
Enter the scale percentage from the square that measures correctly.
Calibrate separately when changing between Letter and A4 paper.
Print a pattern test square before printing all pages.
Troubleshooting
The verification sheet is still inaccurate
Confirm that the correct paper size was selected in both Sewsy and the Android print dialog.
If the horizontal and vertical measurements differ, enter separate horizontal and vertical scale values.
The print scale changed after calibration
The Android print service, printer settings, or selected paper size may have changed.
Repeat calibration using the current setup.
The printer clips the edges of the page
This may be caused by the printer's non-printable margins. Calibration corrects scale, but it cannot make a printer print outside its supported printable area.