Have you ever seen those adorable coloring pages and felt the urge to start coloring, but didn’t want to go out and buy a book? Good news! You can easily print your favorite coloring pages at home and start creating anytime, anywhere!
Next, I’ll walk you through how to get the best printing results, whether you’re printing from a computer or smartphone.
Free Online Coloring Pages
You can find lots of free coloring pages online, including on our website! These pages can usually be printed directly from your browser. If you’ve downloaded a PDF file, simply open it in your browser and choose “Print.”
If you’ve purchased a digital coloring book from platforms like Etsy and downloaded it to your computer, you’ll need a PDF reader to open the files. Most computers come with a built-in PDF reader, or you can download and install Adobe Acrobat for better file management.
📱Jump to how to print a coloring page from your phone.
How to Print Coloring Pages
Printing coloring pages is not only practical but also an art! Let’s break it down step by step to get the best print quality.
1. Prepare the Printer: Choose the Right Paper
First, choose a high-quality paper suitable for coloring. I recommend using thicker paper, like cardstock, as it prevents colors from bleeding through and is perfect for printing. If your printer has multiple paper trays, be sure to place the thicker paper in the tray designated for that type of paper.
2. Tell the Printer Which Paper Tray to Use
Before printing, you need to tell the printer which paper tray to use, especially if you’re using thicker paper (like cardstock). Open the menu in your browser or application, click on “File,” then select “Print.” A print dialog box will pop up, where you should choose the paper tray that contains the thicker paper.
If your printer only has one tray, you can skip this step! Many printers will automatically pull paper from a manual feed tray, so no worries.
3. Choose Print Quality
In your printer settings, you can adjust the print quality. Usually, you’ll have a few options:
- Draft Mode: Fastest printing speed with minimal ink usage, ideal for quick prints.
- Normal Mode: Good for general prints, better than draft mode.
- Best Mode: Slowest speed, uses the most ink, but produces the highest-quality print.
For intricate designs, I recommend selecting “Best Mode” to capture all the fine details.
4. Choose Color or Black & White Printing
Next, decide if you want your coloring page in color or black & white. This is an optional step, as there’s no big difference in most cases.
Black & white printing can save on color ink. When printing in color, all four colors (cyan, magenta, yellow, and black) mix together, which can sometimes create a richer black ink effect.
For that classic coloring book feel, select black & white (also called grayscale).
5. Tell the Printer Your Paper Type
Some printers optimize the print quality based on the type of paper you’re using (like matte or photo paper). You can adjust the “Media Type” setting to notify the printer about the paper you’re using, such as “heavyweight paper.”
This adjustment can change how the printer handles the paper, such as slowing down the rollers when printing on heavier sheets.
Other Printer Settings
When printing coloring pages, you may need to tweak some additional settings to get the best results. Start by selecting the right paper type in the printer settings. Whether you’re using standard paper or specialty paper, choose the appropriate option.
- Actual Size vs. Fit to Page
When printing online coloring pages from your computer browser or a PDF reader like Adobe Acrobat, you’ll need to consider size settings.
Fit to Page: This is the safest bet. If you’re unsure about the printer’s margins, I suggest selecting this option. It automatically scales the image to fit the printable area of the page, reducing the size slightly if necessary to avoid cutting off the edges.
Actual Size: This option prints the image at its original size, without any scaling to fit the paper. It’s ideal when you know the exact size you want and are confident it will fit within your printer’s margins.
- Orientation
The “Orientation” setting in the print dialog is simple. Set it to “Portrait” for vertical layouts or “Landscape” for horizontal ones, depending on the layout of your coloring page.
Frequently Asked Questions
This section covers some of the most common questions I’ve received about printing coloring pages.
1. What’s the best type of paper to use when printing coloring pages?
When printing coloring pages, it’s best to use thicker paper, such as cardstock or matte photo paper. These types of paper provide a sturdy base for coloring without the risk of ink bleeding through.
For a unique look, try printing your coloring page on 8.5 x 11-inch brown kraft paper. It adds a rustic touch to your artwork!
2. How do I print coloring pages from websites like Pinterest?
To print a coloring page from Pinterest, click on the pin to visit the original website. From there, follow the same steps as described above on how to print coloring pages.
3. Can I create and print my own custom coloring pages?
Yes, you can! Use free graphic design tools like Canva.com to create your own custom coloring pages. Once your design is ready, download it as a PDF. Then, open the file in your preferred PDF reader and follow the print steps mentioned earlier.
Note: Each design platform has different terms of service, especially regarding the use of their assets for selling coloring pages. If you plan to sell your designs, make sure to check their usage rules.
4. Which type of printer is better for printing coloring pages: inkjet or laser?
Laser printers are ideal for printing coloring pages, and here’s why:
Laser Printers:
Laser printers are known for their speed and efficiency, especially when printing in bulk. While they have a higher upfront cost, they offer several benefits for printing coloring pages:
- Smudge-resistant ink: Laser printers use dry toner and a heating process that fuses the ink, making it less likely to smudge, especially when using markers or colored pencils.
- Sharper lines: Laser printers tend to produce clearer, more defined lines, making them perfect for high-resolution coloring pages.
- Long-term cost-effectiveness: Although the initial cost of a laser printer and toner cartridges may be higher, laser printers print more pages before needing a toner replacement, making them a better long-term investment.
- Faster and quieter operation: Laser printers are faster and quieter than inkjet printers, which makes them ideal for printing large quantities of coloring pages without creating much noise.
Inkjet Printers:
Inkjet printers are great for vibrant colors, but they’re not as important when printing black-and-white coloring pages. Inkjet printers are often more affordable and commonly found in homes.
If you’re using an inkjet printer, ensure your print settings match the paper type for the best quality output.
5. Where can I find more coloring pages to print?
Ready to print some coloring pages? We’ve got plenty of options to keep you busy. You can create your own personal coloring book from your favorite designs and have hours of fun coloring!