File
Formats and Print Quality
Printables come
in different file formats for differnt purposes. File formats are
indicated by the extension name in capital letters after the printable
file name (eg. PPclipart_bday01.PNG)
and are located underneath the printable image:
JPG
(or JPEG) Files
Most JPG
files have been designed with minimum 150 dpi print quality.
You can choose either "medium size" or "full
size" JPG file to download.
Use the
JPG files for printing or computer crafting by exporting it
into your graphics program.
Note:
Although your browser can view JPG files and print straight
from there, it is highly recommended that you export them
into another program to save your printing paper. This way
you can import many pictures onto the one page instead of
printing one graphic at a time.
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PNG
Files
Pronounced
"ping", PNG files retain the transparency on printable
images, eg. Heart pic:
Best used
for computer crafting and exporting into a graphics program
where you can layer onto different backgrounds and images
without any flat white background showing as a JPG file would:
PNG files
are designed at 72 dpi and approximately 400% of intended
usage size. (See Calculating Printing
Size for more details.)
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PDF
Files
These
files work with Acrobat Reader (freeware - see
link at bottom of page). PDF files retain very high print
quality (150 - 300 dpi) images without the big file size.
To use, simply open the PDF and print straight from the file.
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Toolboxes
and Printables Info Chart
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Toolbox
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Description
|
File
type/s
|
Size/s
*
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Cliparts
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Graphic
art and design images for computer crafting.
Usage:
Download JPG or PNG to export to graphics program.
Printing: Right-click on JPG
image and select 'open in a new browser window' to print
from browser. (See
JPG note for tip.)
|
JPG
PNG |
-
medium
- full |
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Backgrounds
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Printable
backgrounds for scrapbooking or computer / digital scrapbooking.
Usage:
Download JPG file ("medium size" for quick previewing
only, use "full size") for computer scrapbooking
or print from PDF file.
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JPG
PDF
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-
letter (8.5" x 11") |
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Borders
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Edging
and bordering designs for crafting or scrapbooking.
Usage:
Download JPG or PNG to export to graphics program.
Printing: Right-click on JPG
image and select 'open in a new browser window' to print
from browser. (See
JPG note for tip.)
|
JPG
PNG |
-
medium
- full |
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Templates
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2D template
designs for 3D and 2D crafting projects.
Usage:
Download PNG file for computer crafting. Reduce image dimensions
by 79.2% to fit letter page.
Printing: Right-click on JPG
image and select open on a new browser window to print from
browser.
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JPG
PNG |
-
fits to letter (8.5" x 11") |
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Patterns
& Tiles
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Seamless
patterns and corner tiles for use in graphics program.
Usage:
Download JPG file to export to graphics program.
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JPG |
(varies) |
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Photo
Images
|
High
quality photographic images for use in crafting or scrapbooking
project ideas.
Usage:
Download JPG or PNG to export to graphics program.
Printing: Right-click on JPG
image and select 'open in a new browser window' to print
from browser. (See
JPG note for tip.)
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|
-
medium
- full |
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Font,
Type & Letters
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Enhance
your scrapbooking or crafting project with fonts and lettering.
Usage:
Download JPG or PNG to export to graphics program.
Printing: Right-click on JPG
image and select 'open in a new browser window' to print
from browser. (See
JPG note for tip.)
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JPG
PNG |
-
medium
- full |
*
You have a choice of either "medium"
or "full" size printables and exact sizes
vary depending on each printable image. "Medium" sized
printables are generally no longer than 400 pixels maximum and have
the word "sized" in replace of the file
extension name: "PPclipart_bday01.sized".
"Medium
size" selection is a good way to view all the printables quickly.
(More on viewing printable graphics see Membership
Intro & Help page.)
Note:
Not all printable craft images include both sizes.
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Calculating
Printing Size
This
is a general guide for you to understand the printing sizes of the
printable images.
Print sizes
are calculated at 300 dpi (dots per inch) and should be the highest
quality that you should generally need to use for crafting purposes.
Most of the printables (Borders, Cliparts, Type, Patterns and Photo
Images) have been designed between 150 - 300 dpi to achieve the
best quality craft images.
The end printing
size is indicated and centred underneath each printable
image and are based on 300 dpi print. This also gives you the approximate
"medium size" and "full
size" print sizes (where applicable) so you can choose
the desired size printable to download:
The "Image
Size" indicates the current browser view in pixels.
Note:
What you see on the browser is NOT the actual printing size
of the printable downloaded. Browsers only require 72 dpi
quality images calculated in pixels. (Whereas printing sizes
are calculated in centimeters or inches.) Therefore, if the
actual printing size is 150 dpi and 1" x 1" in dimension,
the approximate viewing size will be adjusted down to 72 dpi
and 2" x 2" in dimensions for viewing:
[
150 divided by 72 is approximately
two times, therefore you would multiply the
dimensions by two (1" x 2 = 2")
]
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You can decrease
the size of printable images in your graphics program (or print
at smaller percentages), but the opposite (increasing the images)
will result in poorer print quality with fuzzy edges. Instead, choose
the "full size" to use.
Attention:
** PNG
files are designed at 72 dpi and at 400%.
When you export PNG files into your graphics program, you
will find that it is extremely large. Decrease the image by
25% to use (except in Template PNG
files, where a reduction of 79.2% is enough).
This will give you approximately 300 dpi print quality:
[ 72 x 4 = 288 dpi (which is approximately
300 dpi) ]
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Remember, the
more you decrease the original image, the higher the print quality
(or dpi).
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