Intro to Wide Format Printing

intro to wide format printing

Let’s dive into what a wide format printer can do, how to prepare your files, and all the cool and creative things you can print with it. Whether you’re an artist, designer, student, teacher, or just curious, you’ll walk away knowing how to bring your ideas to life on a larger-than-life scale.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

What is Wide Format Printing

Print Settings Walkthrough

Resources

WHAT IS wide format printing?

Great question! Unlike your standard home printer, a wide format printer like the HP DesignJet T650 can print super-sized documents up to 36 inches wide—that’s 3 feet across! Imagine a regular 8.5″x11″ sheet… now picture something four times the size, or even longer!

It’s perfect for printing:

Posters for school, community, or events
Big architectural or engineering plans
Detailed maps or blueprints
Large art prints, illustrations, or photos
Sewing or craft patterns
And even custom wall art or signage!

let's talk about file sizes (aka paper sizes)

You’ll hear terms like A0, A1, A4, and Copy Shop File tossed around. Here’s what they mean in simple terms:

A4

This is your regular printer paper size (about 8.3 x 11.7 inches). Great for testing out your design before going big.

A3

Twice as big as A4 (like two A4 pages side-by-side).

A2, A1, A0

A2 is a great size for posters
A1 is even bigger
A0 is huge! About 33 x 47 inches.

COPY SHOP FILE

This usually means a PDF designed to be printed big, like a sewing pattern, blueprint, or poster. These files are typically set up with the right dimensions already, and you just need to hit “Print”.

Meet the HP DesignJet T650

Now let’s talk about our star printer!

The HP DesignJet T650 is a compact and powerful wide format printer. Here’s what makes it awesome:

Prints up to 36 inches wide:
You can load big rolls of paper and print super-long banners or big posters.
Inkjet printing:
That means great quality for both color and black & white projects.
Fast & Efficient:
It prints quickly and has a tray for smaller sheets like A3 and A4, as well as a roll feed for big stuff.
Supports PDF, JPEG, TIFF, and more:
So you can design in programs like Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, Canva, or even Word—just make sure to export your work as a high-res PDF.

what can you print?

Here’s some inspiration for your first wide-format project:

Event Posters

Design eye-catching posters for local events like community festivals, school plays, art shows, workshops, or even themed birthday parties. A large-format poster can grab attention in public spaces, help spread the word quickly, and add a professional touch to your event.

Art Prints

Whether you’re a traditional artist or a digital creator, wide-format printing allows you to showcase your work in a bold, gallery-worthy way. Scan original paintings, illustrations, or sketches—or create something entirely digital—and print it out large enough to make a statement on any wall.

Technical Drawings

Architects, engineers, and designers often need precision and clarity. Use your wide-format printer for detailed blueprints, CAD renderings, or floor plans. Printing at full scale can help with reviewing design elements, catching errors, or collaborating with a team.

Sewing Patterns

If you're into sewing or fashion design, skip the tedious process of taping dozens of A4 sheets together. Many sewing pattern designers offer “copy shop” files—use your wide-format printer to produce these full-size patterns in one seamless sheet, saving time and effort.

Mind Maps & Infographics

a few quick tips

Design at the size you want it to print
If you want a 24″x36″ poster, set up your file that size.
Save as PDF whenever possible
It keeps your layout and resolution clean.
Check your DPI
For sharp prints, aim for 150–300 DPI (dots per inch).
Leave a margin
Give your design a little breathing room around the edges, printers don’t always go edge-to-edge.

Wide format printing is such a fun and practical tool to add to your creative toolbox. Whether you’re working on a professional project or something personal, there’s something very satisfying about seeing your work blown up and brought to life.

Let’s roll up our sleeves and start printing BIG!

Let’s go through the print settings for wide format printing, especially when you’re working with sizes like A0, A1, A2, and Copy Shop files. I’ll explain it in a friendly, step-by-step way using the HP DesignJet T650 as our go-to printer.

wide format printer settings walkthrough

(A0, A1, A2 & Copy Shop PDFs)
Whether you’re printing a poster, an architectural plan, or a sewing pattern, getting the right settings matters! Let’s walk through how to prep your file and choose the correct settings for each paper size.

Save as PDF if you can. It preserves size, quality, and layout better than JPEG or PNG.

Step 1: Prep Your File

Before even hitting “Print,” check the following: Make sure your document is the correct size. In whatever design program you’re using (Adobe Illustrator, Canva, Photoshop, Word, etc.), set your document size to match your final print size. Here’s a quick size reference:

Format	Size (inches)	Size (mm)
A2	16.5 x 23.4 in	420 x 594 mm
A1	23.4 x 33.1 in	594 x 841 mm
A0	33.1 x 46.8 in	841 x 1189 mm
Copy Shop	Varies: Check PDF	Usually 36″ wide or less, length varies

Step 2: Open the Print Dialogue

Once your file is read, go to:

File > Print or Right Click > Print
Choose the HP DesignJet T650 from your printer list

Now you’re in the Print Settings window.

Pro Tip: If your file is set to the right dimensions, you can also select “Print at Actual Size” or “100%”—don’t scale it unless you’re intentionally resizing!

Step 3: Adjust Print Setting

PAPER SOURCE
If you’re using a roll:

Select Roll Feed (usually the default for this printer)
Set the roll width (usually 24″, 36″, or custom)

PAGE SIZE/PAPER SIZE
Choose the right size from the drop-down menu:

For A2, select A2 (420 x 594 mm) or manually set to 16.5 x 23.4 in
For A1, select A1 (594 x 841 mm) or 23.4 x 33.1 in
For A0, choose A0 (841 x 1189 mm) or 33.1 x 46.8 in
For Copy Shop Files, select:
- 36-inch roll, then set the length manually if needed
- Many copy shop PDFs are sized like 36″ x 48″ or 36″ x 72″, check your file’s dimensions before printing

PAPER TYPE
Choose based on what you’re printing on:

Plain Paper: for line drawings, patterns, or basic posters
Matte Coated Paper: for art prints, colored posters
Glossy/Satin Paper: for photos or high-gloss finish

ORIENTATION

Let the printer know if the design is landscape or portrait.
Tip: If you’re using the roll, the printer will auto-rotate to save paper if “Auto Rotate” is enabled.

Step 4: Print Preview & Check Margins

BEFORE HITTING PRINT:

Check the print preview – make sure nothing is cut off
Ensure your image sits within the printable area (most printers have a 0.2″–0.5″ non-printable border unless “borderless” is enabled)
If needed, select “Center Image” or manually adjust the placement

Step 5: Print!

Click Print and wait for the magic to happen!
You’ll see the T650 feed the paper, print, and cut it off automatically (if auto-cut is enabled)

summary cheat sheet

File Type	Roll Width	Print Settings
A2	24″ or 36″	Paper size: A2 (16.5″ x 23.4″), Portrait
A1	24″ or 36″	Paper size: A1 (23.4″ x 33.1″), Portrait/Land.
A0	36″	Paper size: A0 (33.1″ x 46.8″), Portrait
Copy Shop	36″	Set to actual size (e.g., 36″ x 72″)