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Printing Larger images on multiple sheets of paper

How to print a large image onto multiple pages

Larger Photo Encaustic Image Printing Tips

Unless you have a large format printer, you may be limiting photo transfers to 8 12  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

  1. Convert your image into a PDF file.
    1. Open Adobe Reader (the free program)
    2. Click File → Create → PDF from File
    3. Search for your image and click Open
  2. Select File → Print and choose the poster option. This will split the image into multiple pages
  3. Adjust the Tile Scale to fit the image to the size of your panel
  4. Print

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.

  1. Create a new spreadsheet in Excel. (File → New)
  2. Put the (flipped) image into the first cell A1.
    1. put your cursor in cell A1
    2. Insert → Pictures → Picture from File
    3. Browse your computer for the flipped image file and click insert
  3. 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
  4. The dashed lines tell you where page breaks are
  5. Your image will print across multiple pages. You can piece them together when doing the transfer
  6. Wide margins seem to work best
screenshot of excel

Encaustic Photo Transfer

To do a photo transfer on encaustic you can use the parchment paper method or the regular printer paper transfer method.

If you have something to add, I would like to hear it. Leave a comment below.

About Ruth Maude

I enjoy experimenting with a variety of encaustic materials, techniques and tools. Everything I learn pushes my creative journey in new directions. I share what I've learned with other artists through my blog All Things Encaustic.

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27 thoughts on “How to print a large image onto multiple pages”

  1. Hi,
    Thank you so much, you deserve flowers for this nice advice, I was able to print the ladder and snake board for my kid on multiple A4 papers to create a nice board game and enjoy playing together.

  2. You seriously saved my life with this post. Well, ok. Maybe not my life but at least my sanity, and that’s the same, right? In any case, thank you SO much.

  3. +10,000 For PosterRazor !! I just DL’d it and it took me 30 seconds to create a giant poster. It does all the hard work and then saves the multi page image in a pdf for you.

  4. Thanks so much! I was trying so hard to enlarge photos for painting big and I couldn’t do it without some sort of subscription. I have Excel already and that worked perfectly!!! Never thought of it. Such a time saver!

  5. 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)?

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