Just downloaded some model boat plans? Now what? How do I print these files to a plan I can work with?
Downloading model boat plans from the internet is easy. What you may not know is that having the plan reproduced on paper is almost just as easy and very affordable.
Scale accuracy and clarity? PDF is the answer!
The two biggest problem that I find with plans downloaded from the internet is resolution and maintaining scale accuracy. When I come across JPG, GIF and TIFF files, they are all grainy, and most often the scale gets all screwed up when I try and print them out.
I've had better luck with PDFs. This is why plans from the Building-Model-Boats.com Store are available only as PDF files.
Printing Cost? Affordable!
At my local print shop (FedEx Office, formerly Kinko's) they have an inkjet printer that prints on 36-inch wide paper, and any length (well, as long as we stay under 200 feet).
The cost is modest at $0.75 per square-foot. So in the case of a plan 36 x 60 inches (3 x 5 = 15 sq.ft.) the cost comes out to $11.25. If I were to have this plan shipped in a mailing tube, the price of the tube plus shipping gets into the same ball park for a domestic address.
Shipping and handling? No thanks!
The real beauty that the local printing cost is largely the same where ever you are. Shipping a mailing tube internationally starts to hurt, not to mention the waiting for it to get there.
Say bye-bye to folds!
So until now, the most economical and speedy option for international orders would be to have the plans folded. I don't know about you, but I strongly dislike creases in my drawings.
Forget waiting for weeks and wondering...
Another reason I like the FEdEx Office Store is that they are open around the clock. They are located less than ten minutes away, so I can literally have the plan in my hand, at my work table, in less than half an hour.
So here is how you get them PDFs printed. It's so easy:
After downloading the file to your computer, save it onto a thumb drive (USB memory stick) or burn a CD and bring it to your local copy center.
Ask them to make a copy of the model boat plans. Be sure to ask to have the plan printed full size (Page scaling: None) to ensure scale accuracy.
