It’s no secret that I love PDF patterns. Nothing beats the ability to instantly purchase a sewing pattern—from anywhere in the world!—and start working on that project the very same day if you want to. But what about printing them?
If you want the instant gratification of a PDF pattern, you're probably going to have to spend an hour or two cutting and taping together various paper pattern pieces. Depending on the size of the pattern and how many pages there are to print, this can sometimes feel like a major chore! If you're somebody who’d rather get straight to sewing and doesn’t mind paying a little extra, copyshop printing might just be for you.
What is a Copyshop or A0 file?
So what exactly are copyshop and A0 pattern files? Unlike an A4 or 8.5"x11" sheet of paper, copyshop and A0 sheets can accommodate the full size of an individual pattern piece (like a pant leg, for example)—eliminating the need to cut and tape multiple pieces of paper together. “Copyshop” paper is 36” x 46” and is used primarily in the US, while “A0” paper is approximately 33” x 47” and is used in the rest of the word.
Luckily, you don’t need to worry about these size differences with Helen’s Closet Patterns. Included in every pattern purchase is a zip file that contains instructions, a Print at Home (A4) file, and a third PDF labeled with the text “Copyshop-A0”. This file can be sent to any printer that offers copyshop or A0 printing, regardless of where you are based.
A0 Printing Benefits
In addition to saving time, A0 printing is a great way to avoid the hassle of dealing with an at-home printer. Who hasn’t started up their printer only to realize that they are out of ink again? If you like to plan multiple projects at once, you can have your patterns batch-printed and (usually) save on the overall cost of shipping. Depending on the print shop, you can also opt print your patterns on lighter- or heavier-weight paper, which is typically not an option with at-home printing.
Since it's fundamentally still a PDF pattern, A0 printing allows you to preserve the flexibility of being able to print out your pattern again if you ever want or need to. Even better, the lack of cutting and taping means you won't accidently introduce sizing errors into the pattern, making it the most accurate way to print PDF patterns.
How to Select a Printer
Every copyshop is different, and when it comes to printing and shipping, every sewists’ preferences are different. Here are a few considerations to keep in mind when selecting a sewing pattern printer:
- Cost to Print: for many this will be the most important factor in determining where to purchase printed patterns. Some shops price per sheet, some require minimum orders, and others offer a sliding price scale depending on the number of sheets printed.
- Shipping: The cost to ship can vary widely in different countries and from store to store, and you may need to consider a shop that offers international printing if there is nothing available locally. Conversely, if you happen to live close to a shop you may be able to take advantage of free order pickup. Make sure to calculate the shipping price in order to determine the true cost of printing. It is not uncommon for shipping rates to equal or double the cost to print, or for flat rates to be limited to a certain number of printed sheets.
- Folded or Rolled Patterns: Ever seen a sewing room filled with long white tubes of paper? These are copy shop files that have been rolled up and shipped in a long tube, typically for a premium shipping cost. Not all print shops offer this service, so double check before purchasing if you have a strong preference for sheets that are rolled instead of folded.
- Paper: Do you like working with pattern pieces on sturdier paper? Or do you prefer a classic light tissue paper? While most shops print on paper that is similar in weight to what you would print on at home, there are some that offer lighter weight tissue options. Referred to as gsm (grams per square meter) or lb. (US only), the higher the number—the heavier the paper. For something close to regular printer paper, look for options that are around 90 gsm or 20 lb. Anything listed lower than that will be lighter weight, and anything higher will be sturdier.
Your preferences, budget, and what’s available locally to you will all affect which printing service you ultimately decide to use. We’ve included some basic information for each shop below (current as of October 2021), but don’t hesitate to reach out to the printers themselves if you have any questions.
Canada
Blackbird Fabrics
• $6.50 per page
• Ships folded
• Can be printed and shipped along with fabric and notions (yay!)
Sew YYC
• $4 CAD per sheet rolled, $5 CAD per sheet folded
• Ships folded or rolled
• Free shipping when folded; or $18-$20 for rolled sheets
Gattous Fabrics
• $4 CAD per sheet rolled, $5 CAD per sheet folded
• Ships folded or rolled
• $3-$7 shipping when folded; or $20 for rolled sheets
Winnipeg Sews
• $4.40 CAD per sheet or $1.10 per linear foot
• Ships folded
• $1.80 shipping up to 5 sheets, $12 shipping over 5 sheets
• Continuous roll printing available
The Fabric Snob
• $4.50 CAD per sheet
• Ships folded or rolled
• Free shipping when folded and bundled with fabric purchase; or $15.50 for rolled sheets
Spool and Spindle
• $4.50 CAD per sheet
• Ships folded or rolled
• $12 shipping folded, or $15 shipping rolled
• Continuous roll printing available
The Business Box
• $4.80 CAD per sheet rolled, $5.80 CAD per sheet folded
• Ships folded or rolled
• Shipping is additional
Rives Compagnie
• $5 CAD per sheet
• Ships folded
• Shipping is additional
The Sewing Club
• $10 per A0 page, $10 discount for 5+ pages
• Local pickup in Victoria BC (rolled) or shipped (folded)
• Can be printed and shipped along with fabric and notions.
USA
PDF Plotting
• $1.39 USD per sheet, $10 minimum order
• Ships rolled
• $7 shipping
• Printed on 20 lb. paper
Pattern Printing Company
• $2.49 USD per sheet
• Ships folded
• $3.59 - $7.99 or less shipping up to 18 sheets, $14.00 shipping up to 45 sheets. Shipping adjusted for the best actual rates.
• Printed on 16 lb. paper
Ewe Fine Fiber Goods
• $2.76 USD per sheet
• Ships folded
• $3.86 - $12.66 shipping for 1 to 10 sheets
Brooklyn Motif Printing
• $5 USD for the first sheet, $2.50 per sheet after that (per pattern)
• Ships folded
• $4.50 - $7.25 shipping
• Printed on 18 lb. translucent paper
Stitch Sew Shop
• $5 USD for the first sheet, $2.50 per sheet after that (per pattern)
• Ships folded
• $5 shipping up to 5 sheets, $10 shipping over 5 sheets
Acadia Sewing
• $6 USD per pattern (up to 2 sheets), $3 per additional sheet (per pattern)
• Ships folded
• $5 shipping up to 5 sheets, $10 shipping over 5 sheets
Sublime Grafx
• $6-$10 USD per pattern
• Ships folded or rolled
• $7 shipping (1 pattern), $10 shipping (2-3 patterns)
• Printed on 20 lb., 18 lb. or tissue paper
Tape-Free Patterns
• Starting from $1.65 USD per page, no minimum order. Use HELENS10 for 10%-off thru 31/12/2023
• Ships folded, option for scheduled local pickup
• Printed on 20 lb., 18 lb., or Pellon Easy Pattern 830
U.K.
Printing and Plotting
• £0.70 per sheet, £5 minimum order
• Ships folded or rolled
• £5 shipping folded, or £10 shipping rolled
Plot Giant
• £0.75 per sheet, £5 minimum order
• Ships folded or rolled
• £3.50 shipping folded, or £8.95 shipping rolled
• Printed on 80 gsm paper
Plan Printing 24
• £0.75 per sheet, £5 minimum order
• Ships folded or rolled
• £5 shipping folded, or £10 shipping rolled
CLC Essex
• £1.50 per sheet
• Ships folded
• Free UK Shipping
• Printed on 90 gsm paper
Flamingo Prints
• £1.50 per sheet
• Ships folded
• £1.50 shipping
• Printed on 75 gsm paper; lighter weight available
Net Printer
• £1.50 per sheet, £5 minimum order
• Ships folded or rolled
• £3/ £5 shipping rolled (up to 8 sheets / up to 15 sheets), or £8.50 shipping folded
• Printed on 80 gsm paper
Print-Easy UK
• £2 per sheet
• Ships folded, rolled available for additional fee
• Free UK shipping
• Printed on 80 gsm paper
• Continuous roll printing available
Wild Orchard Pattern Printing
• £2.00 per sheet
• Ships folded
• £1.50 shipping UK (up to 250g)
Fabulosew
• £2.15 per sheet
• Ships folded, storage envelopes available
• £1.65 shipping UK; £7 shipping Europe; £10 shipping Worldwide
• Printed on 20 gsm paper
PatternToPaper
• £2.50 per sheet
• Ships folded
• £2 shipping UK; £5 shipping Europe; £8 shipping Worldwide
• Printed on 22 gsm paper.
• Continuous roll printing available
Patternsy
• £2.50 per sheet, £5 minimum order
• Ships folded
• £2 shipping UK; £5 shipping Europe; £8 shipping Worldwide
• Printed on 22 gsm paper.
• Continuous roll printing available
The Savvy Sewist
• £3.99 per order minimum
• Order price already includes shipping and VAT
• Printed on 40, 60, or 75 gsm paper
The Fold Line
• £4 per pattern minimum
• Ships folded in an envelope to store pattern
• £2.50 shipping UK/Northern Ireland; £6.50 shipping Europe/Republic of Ireland
• Printed on 75 gsm paper.
• Continuous roll printing available
Eternal Maker
• £4 for the first sheet, £1 per additional sheet
• Order price already includes shipping
• Printed on 80 gsm recycled paper
Ireland
Crafty Studio
• €3.00 per sheet
• Ships folded
• €2.95 shipping Ireland; €4.95 shipping UK / Scottish Isles & Channel Islands
Australia
Paro Por Favor
• $5 AUD per sheet
• Additional for shipping
MDM Copy and Print Centre (Melbourne)
• $2 AUD per sheet
• Additional for shipping
• Printed on 80 gsm paper
MakePlanDo (Melbourne)
• $3 AUD per sheet
• $9 shipping Australia-wide
• Continuous roll printing available
Megan Nielsen (Perth)
• $3.85 AUD per sheet
• Ships folded
• Additional for shipping
A Sewlution
• $4 AUD per sheet
• Ships folded
• Flat $7 shipping Australia-wide
• Printed on 80 gsm paper
Officeworks (Melbourne)
• $4.35 AUD per sheet
• Ships folded
• Additional for shipping; free delivery on orders over $55
• Printed on 80 gsm paper
Fibre Smith (Melbourne)
• $4.80 AUD for the first sheet, $2.40 per sheet after that (per pattern)
• Ships folded
• Additional for shipping
Eprint Online (Brisbane)
• $5 AUD minimum
• Ships folded or rolled (additional $4.25 shipping)
• Additional for shipping
• Printed on 80 gsm paper
New Zealand
ChCh Sews
• $6 NZ per sheet
• Ships folded
• $7.20 shipping for up to 6 sheets, $15 shipping for up to 12 sheets
• Printed on 80 gsm paper
Studio of Sewing
• $7 NZ per sheet
• $6.50 ($10.50 rural) shipping for up to 12 sheets
• Printed on 80 gsm paper
Warehouse Stationary
• $7 NZ per sheet
• Additional for shipping
• Printed on 80 gsm paper
Niche Print
• $7.25 NZ per sheet
• Ships folded or rolled
• $7.50 shipping folded, or $14 North Island / $16 South Island shipping rolled
• Continuous roll printing available
Do you know of a great shop or printing service that we missed in the list above? Let us know in the comments!
