January 28, 2013
How Do You Re-Size Printables?
With a printables business, I’m bound to receive lots of printable-related questions, but the number one question is, “how do I change the size of my printables”, or “can I put your 8.5×11 pdf in my 5.5×8.5″ planner?” And the answer is YES! It’s super easy, and while all printers are a little different, hopefully my instructions will work for your printer too!
First off, you need a pdf printable to try this out – go to my free printable page to snag one to try out, open it up and come back to this post.
Go to ‘file’ and ‘print’ – just like you’d normally print a document.
Then instead of printing right away, go the the properties button.
Then find the page layout section and reduce or enlarge your document to the desired size – I chose 5.5×8.5″ because that seems to be what most people want to change their printables to. Then click ‘ok’ and print away.
Want to see what happens?
Same pdf printable, just a different size – pretty neat, huh?
Have you seen my shop? It’s full of organizing printable goodness!
Felicia Says
I would change the print orientation too so that you can feed the paper the opposite way a second time, and get two on one page!
allthingsfee.blogspot.com
Becky Says
Post authorGreat idea Felicia!
xo, Becky
kami Says
you just blew my mind!
julie cluff Says
That’s awesome, Becky! Thanks for sharing that tutorial. I can’t believe that I haven’t noticed that you print function before! 🙂
Crystal Says
Yay!! I finally know how to do that!!! Thanks for sharing the tutorial!!
Cindy Says
Do you have instructions for doing this on a Mac?
Becky Says
Post authorHi Cindy!
It should work the same way on a Mac or PC 🙂
xo, Becky
Kelly Says
Nice job, Becky!!!
Becky Says
Post authorThanks Kelly!
xo, Becky
Melissa Says
What version of Adobe are you using or is it specific to your printer. I followed your instructions but my page layout looks nothing like yours and give no options to change size. Bummer I could really use smaller pages right now 🙁
Becky Says
Post authorHmmm….it might be your printer that isn’t giving you the options. Sorry :(I use the most current Adobe – you can get a free download here:
http://get.adobe.com/reader/
xo, Becky
Jolynda Says
Hmm…mine does not give me the 5.5 x 8.5 option. My options are Letter, Legal, Executive, A4, A5, B5, 4×6 photo. Are any of those the 5.5 x 8.5 option?
Becky Says
Post authorHi Jolynda!
5.5×8.5 is A4 – I hope this helps!
xo, Becky
Sarah Says
If you have an A5 Planner you can use the A5 setting. Mine is set up that way and the A5 size is perfect.
Becky Says
Post authorYay!
Lindsey Says
Thanks!! Pinned this for later 🙂
Kerrye Says
Mine doesn’t give the same options either. My print page has the options at the top of “Print” and “Cancel”, no “Properties” option. Underneath that is “Desination:” with my printer (Lexmark). Oh well. I’ll try printing, then make a copy with my printer and adjust the size there.
Becky Says
Mine doesn’t have the half page option either so I use the A5 setting and fit to page. Using the booklet option I can choose left or right. If I use the landscape orientation I can still get 4 images on one sheet. SUre, I have to feed it through 4 times but it saves a tree somewhere and creates less bulk and waste in my planner.
Stacey Says
what size would you use for a personal filofax?? my printer options are not like your’s so I can only use the A5 for 5.5 x 8.5… but I also have a personal planner and would love to know which print size option to use for it.. Thank you!
Becky Says
Post authorI believe it’s the A5 option 🙂
Lynette Says
Did you ever find a printer to print your personal pages? I have a cannon pixma older model, that will, however I’m in the market for a printer that can auto duplex personal size pages. So far, no luck.
Corie Says
When I resize an 8-1/2×11 printable, the margins change and the 5.5×8.5 looks weird. I would rather have a 5.5×8.5 file because they look better and the margins are even. I know I’m being picky but the way my planner pages look is important to me.
Carolina Vasilica Says
8.5X11 is a US Letter size, A5 is half of an A4 sheet – which is slightly bigger than the standard US letter size.
Hope this helps,
misslinavee
#shineon
nicole Says
So apparently I am not doing this right. Is it possible to buy paper sized for the Staples Junior size arc notebook and just change the paper size? I can’t figure out how, even once I do get it printed the paper will fit in the notebook. Do you just cut it and hope it’s even? If you can’t tell I’m not crafty. lol Thanks
Becky Says
Post authorI just print and then cut with my paper cutter – but alternatively you can pre-cut the paper yourself OR bring it to your local copy shop like Staples or OfficeMax and have them cut a ream of paper for you. I haven’t found paper that is pre-cut.
xo, Becky
magi Says
What would be the page measurements for the A5 Filofax planner if the printer doesn’t give me the A5 option?
Becky Says
Post author5.5×8.5
Lisa Says
I have been searching FOREVER for this!!!! Thank you so much!!!
Judith Says
I use adobe to print the pdf to One Note – I have done this previously with Cleanmama printouts, but for some reason they now appear ‘blurred’/out of focus when I do this. Would you have any idea what I am doing wrong here? Thanks!
Becky Says
Post authorMake sure it isn’t in preview and that you are using the Adobe file and not the image.
xo, Becky
Amy Smith Says
I have a question, regarding the files available for purchase…what is the difference between the “standard and half sized sheets” are the half sized designed to be able to print nicely 2 two a page for a 5.5x 8 planner, or are you just saying that they can be reduced? I am looking for something that is already sized for me to print out, front and back, without a lot of headache…I have tried reducing other pages on my own and ended up with either a lot of paper in my planner, OR one page inevitably ends up printing upside down…AND i feel like I am playing russian roulette with the printer (will it print and look the way I want or will it flip it around, or will it print on something I have already printed?) I am starting to wonder if I will just be stuck with boring “Dayplanner” pages that don’t offer many other organizing options:o( Please let me know! I have been going back and forth for a month trying to decide it is worth it. Are there instructions on how to print half size with the purchase?
Thank you!!
Becky Says
Post authorI think that the best way to print half size printables is to take a ream of paper to your local office supply store and have them pre-cut it for you. Then when you print, your paper is sized and ready to go. I also have a FAQ page that might be helpful:
http://www.cleanmama.net/clean-mama-printables-faqs
Ryan Jacobson Says
Everyone’s printers are different, but with mine, I create the printable to a letter size and copy 2 to a page. For some reason when I choose print 2 copies to a page, it always only prints one. So I lose a little print quality… Otherwise, printing the A5 to a letter size paper wastes a lot of paper and I am forced to make all sorts of cuts. Still looking for the perfect solution. For now… printing the letter size and choosing the copy 2 to a page on my Canon printer/copier is the easiest and most efficient. I also use the Levenger hole punch which only does a few pages at a time, but it was cheap.
Maddy Says
I do the same thing. I use portrait, 2 per page. It prints out one. Then I put the paper right back in. Do not turn over. My HP Officejet 4635 automatically flips it before printing it out. If I could walk and chew gum at the same time, I would figure out how to print both on the front side and narrow lines on the full back side for extra space to write. By printing two to a page like I just did, it reduces the size of the paper by 1/4 inches or 4cm down the long side, and same across the bottom. One per page wastes too much paper for me even if I use it to write notes, passwords and codes on while at the pc. FreePrintables.net is a good source for the college lines paper or wide, adult coloring, calendar pages, etc. All free. Maddy
Lily Tran Says
How do you print double-sided for your 5.5×8.5″ planner? I love these tutorials, by the way!
Becky Says
Post authorCut the paper first and then print it on both sides 🙂
katherine stiegman Says
booklet option
Barb M. Says
Hi, Is there a way to take a half size (A5 is it?) printable planner sheet and print it UPSIZED to a full letter size (8 1/2 x 11) planner book sheet? I haven’t been able to find a free half sized planner sheet to experiment with as they all seem to print two to a page, to save paper of course, but that doesn’t let me experiment with a single planner page. I didn’t see this question already asked or answered–sorry if I missed it! I’m going to feel really dumb if there’s some simple way to do this–but I can’t think of it–so….. LOL Thanks!
Becky Says
Post authorYou could try adjusting in your printer preferences…