At the cutting table
- Which print setting to choose
- How to measure the scale box
- What to do when it is wrong
- Why the check comes before cutting
Find the scale box before you print
Many template-based patterns include a small square or line marked with a measurement, often one inch or five centimeters. It may be called a scale box, test square, or print-check box. Its job is simple: it tells you whether the page came out at the intended size.
If you cannot find one, read the pattern notes before proceeding. Some rotary-cut patterns do not need printed templates. For a full-size template, though, a clear scale check is a valuable safeguard.
Use “Actual size” or 100%
- Open the print dialog and look for a scale setting.
- Choose Actual size, 100%, or No scaling.
- Turn off settings such as “Fit,” “Shrink oversized pages,” or “Scale to printable area” for full-size template pages.
- Print one page first if you can.
Printer menus are not all named the same way. The label is less important than the measurement you make next.
Measure the box with a ruler
Lay a ruler directly over the printed scale box. If it says one inch, it should measure one inch from outside edge to outside edge. If it says five centimeters, it should measure five centimeters. Check both directions on a square when possible.
If the measurement is off, do not trim templates or cut fabric yet. Return to the print dialog, adjust the scale setting, and print the page again. A small error can travel through every template in the quilt.
After the scale is right
Only then should you trim and tape multi-page templates, following the page markers supplied with the pattern. If the pattern asks for a test block, this is also the right time to make it. A scale-box check confirms the print size; it does not replace reading the instructions or checking your seam allowance.
For the rest of that pre-cut pause, use our five things to check before cutting.
