Larger Photo Encaustic Image Printing Tips
Unless you have a large format printer, you may be limiting photo transfers to 8 1⁄2 x 11-inch paper. Here are a couple of easy options to print one image across multiple sheets.
Choose the method below that works best for you and then you can piece your image together for a larger photo transfer.
The PDF Way
- Convert your image into a PDF file.
- Open Adobe Reader (the free program)
- Click File → Create → PDF from File
- Search for your image and click Open
- Select File → Print and choose the poster option. This will split the image into multiple pages
- Adjust the Tile Scale to fit the image to the size of your panel
The Excel Spreadsheet Way
In 2013, I Googled “How to print a large image onto multiple pages” and discovered the excel method. I’ve been using this method ever since. If you own a copy of Excel, give it a try. I like the ability to adjust the image size and number of sheets by simply dragging the image corner. If you don’t have Excel, Google Sheets should work.
- Create a new spreadsheet in Excel. (File → New)
- Put the (flipped) image into the first cell A1.
- put your cursor in cell A1
- Insert → Pictures → Picture from File
- Browse your computer for the flipped image file and click insert
- Drag the bottom corner to size the image. Notice in the image below that the inches will actually display as a tooltip as you drag
- The dashed lines tell you where page breaks are
- Your image will print across multiple pages. You can piece them together when doing the transfer
- Wide margins seem to work best
Encaustic Photo Transfer
To do a photo transfer on encaustic you can use the parchment paper method or the regular printer paper transfer method.
Here’s the finished photo encaustic painting. It is on two panels the top panel is 6″ x 12″ and the bottom is 12″ x 12″.
If you have something to add, I would like to hear it. Leave a comment below.
- How to print a large image onto multiple pages - June 12, 2021
- Artist Conversation with Andrea Bird - May 23, 2021
- An Easier Encaustic Photo Transfer: The Parchment Paper Method - April 5, 2021
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- Bee Colony Collaboration | Artist Conversation with Ava Roth - March 2, 2021
- Make Two—At least | Work on Multiple Paintings at a Time - February 23, 2021
- When it’s Hard to Make Art | Finding Momentum - February 8, 2021
- Yes, You Can Paint with Encaustic on Plexiglass - December 13, 2020
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- The power of differences to make your art stronger - February 24, 2020
Thank you, very useful info.
Thank you for that never thought to use excel for image printing. I enjoy reading your blogs and it certainly helps me on my journey to creating my encaustic works.
Very useful and clear instructions. What are the main benefits of using Adobe Reader compared to other software for printing large images across multiple pages, like Coragi ImagePrint or PosteRazor (open source)?
I’m not familiar with those programs. Of course, you can use whatever works for you.