Paper Minis™ uses a universal file type named PDF. This is a type of file that requires the Adobe Acrobat Reader. You can download the Reader at no charge from the Adobe Systems website. That link is:

  http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html

This type of file is much superior to normal web page downloadable printies. The scaling for size is perfect and the detail is retained. Using the Adobe Acrobat Reader, you can zoom in on the printable to see the detail. Even the 1 point text is crisp and the graphics are much clearer. Note: the level of zoom, and your screen resolution is not an indication of your printer's performance and quality of paper used.

You can print Paper Minis™ projects on plain paper. Although, if quality is important to you, it is advised you use high-resolution inkjet paper (example: Epson matte paper for all inkjet models, 27 lbs., product code S041062). You can find these papers in an office supply store or order via the Internet. For the small scales, avoid thick paper such as cover stock or photo stock because of their lack of flexibility for small-scale folding. Paper Minis™ printies have been formatted for maximum clarity and resolution on your high-resolution inkjet printer.

Quite often I am asked about what printer to use for printies. I'm not affiliated with Epson Corporation, but I have been an avid fan of their printers and papers for many years. I especially like the C8o's series and currently I'm using a slew of C86 and C88+'s. To date I have not been able to find paper that out performs Epson's high-quality inkjet high-resolution papers and gloss papers. 

Almost all color inkjet printers have print quality settings. Set your print file at print time to High Quality or 600/720 DPI. If you elect to use a Draft Setting, the printout will be blurry and the color will be faint and lifeless.

Following these steps will ensure that you will have the best looking miniature accessories possible–even better than those you can purchase pre-made!

4.  Demonstration of Best-Print Quality

The following images demonstrate how printouts are affected by file quality and type, paper quality, as well as printer quality settings.  The pages were scanned larger than actual size so you could see the difference.

This version is a typical 72 dpi web page graphic (the typical printie found on the internet) and printed on plain paper. The printer quality setting was set to 360 dpi draft print. Text quality is uneven and the colored areas are very grainy.

This version was taken from a PDF file (which is a crisp 300 dpi file). This is the type of file used at Paper Minis™.  It was printed on Epson inkjet paper. The print quality setting was set on 720 dpi high-quality. You can read the text and the illustration is smooth, color saturation is rich, and the definition is high. Of course the difference is more perceptible on the smaller scale printables.