How to Print Your Pottery Templates (So They Come Out the Right Size)

|Fran Aldea

Here’s the simple way to print your pottery templates at the right size, every time.

A note on sizing: exact scale is essential for templates that hold liquids, like coffee cups and teapots, where capacity and lid fit depend on precise dimensions. For vases, planters, and decorative pieces, small variations in scale won't affect how the piece functions, so a little flexibility is fine.

1. Open the PDF with a real PDF reader

Use Adobe Acrobat, Preview (Mac), or similar. Avoid printing directly from your browser.

2. Choose the right paper size before printing

To make sure your templates come out at the correct scale, please match the paper size to each collection. For example:

Tiny Vessels

  • US Letter (8.5 × 11 in / 21.6 × 27.9 cm)
  • A4 (210 × 297 mm / 21 × 29.7 cm)

3. Turn OFF all scaling

This is the most important step.

In the print window:

  • Set Scale = 100%

  • OR choose “Actual Size”

  • OR uncheck “Fit to page”

Do NOT use “Fit,” “Shrink,” or “Fill.”

4. Assemble (if tiled pages)

If your template is split across multiple pages:

  • Trim the margins

  • Match the markers (Join Here)

  • Tape them together