What Is A Printable by Lindi Haws of Love The Day

What is a printable? This is a popular question around here and I figured after ten years of designing printables, I should answer it! I also want to answer a few other questions regarding these files that I get frequently

WHAT IS A PRINTABLE

Printables are digital files designed by a graphic designer that are offered as pdf files for download. The file is typically designed to fit a 8.5X11′ piece of paper and can be printed at home on white standard printer paper or cardstock.

Printables can also be larger. For example, I love to design large files for backdrops or posters. These need to be printed at a print shop like UPS, Staples or Alphagraphics.

WHAT DO YOU USE PRINTABLES FOR

PRINTABLE PARTIES

When I started designing printables in 2010, I started designing printable party packs.

The packs are HUGE and have so many fun printables: cupcake toppers, birthday banners, drink labels, food labels, pennant banners, popcorn boxes, thank you cards and party tags.

Some of my most popular party packs are:

Ice Cream Printable Party Pack

Sunshine Printable Party Pack

Train Printable Party Pack

PRINTABLE CRAFTS

As time progressed and my blog grew, I started branching out! I began designing printable crafts for my readers. From patriotic paper chains, to paper boxes to bunny garlands, I started designing crafts you could make COMPLETELY out of paper!

All you need to do is print the file on your home printer, cut the files and assemble!

Patriotic Paper Chain

FREE Valentine Boxes

Bunny Crafts and Napkin Wraps

PRINTABLE TAGS

Printable gift tags are EASILY my most downloaded and popular printables on my website. I have gift tags for Graduation, EVERY.SINGLE.HOLIDAY, Teacher Appreciation, Neighbor Gifts, Weddings, Anniversaries and more!

Like most printables, I design my tags to print on a 8.5X11′ piece of paper.

Here are some of my most popular gift tags:

Graduation Gift Tag

Back To School Teacher Gift Idea

Christmas Neighbor Gifts

Neighbor Gift Ideas

PRINTABLE BACKDROPS

In the last few years, I’ve branched out to EVEN LARGER printable files! I started designing party backdrops and posters in 2018 and never turned back.

These are files THAT CANNOT be printed at home, but need to be printed at a professional print shop. You can print them at Staples, UPS, Alphagraphics or local printing company.

TIPS FOR PRINTING BACKDROPS

– Email the file to the print shop and tell them to print the file ‘as designed.’ This will ensure the backdrop gets printed EXACTLY like what you see in my photos.

– If it’s a black and white backdrop that will only be used for one year, ask for the file to be printed as a ‘Engineering Print.’ This will only cost around $5.00!

– To save on cost, as the file to be printed on a lighter weight paper. Say 30lb white paper!

– For more formal events or if you want to use the poser/backdrop year in and year out, ask for the file to be printed on foam core. It is more expensive, but the quality is top notch and it’s easy to store.

Here are some of my most popular backdrops:

Polka Dot Birthday Backdrop

FREE Rainbow Backdrop

4th of July Backdrop

4th of July Backdrop FREE PRINTABLE by Lindi Haws of Love The Day

PRINTABLE GAMES

After designing parties, I added party games to match. A lot of them are ‘pin the so and so on the so and so….’ They are large files like the posters and need to be printed at a professional print shop.

Here are some of my most popular: