Understanding Etsy Descriptions for Printable Planners + Art + Stickers

If you are new to world of downloadable printable art, planner pages and stickers, it can be daunting.  Printables offer the wonderful convenience of being able to shop and print your purchase without leaving the house. But along with that, you are unable to touch and see the item as you would in a brick and mortar store. The description provided for the item you wish to purchase is the key to working out exactly what you will get. But what does it all mean? PDF, JPEG, ZIP file? Here are some of the terms you may see used in the description and what they mean.

·         DOWNLOADABLE FILE – When you purchase a printable, you will not receive a physical item. Instead you will receive digital files that need to be downloaded to your home computer. If you wish to have a physical form, you will either have to print at home or at your local print shop. 

·         ZIP FILE – Zip files are used to either compress large files into smaller sizes or to combine several files into one. You will need to extract your files before you can access your files and print. Most computers have software that enables this to be done. If you are unsure google “how to unzip folders”. There are a variety of suggestions on how to get started depending on your computer setup.

·         JPEG FILE – This is an image file and is the same format as the photos on your camera or phone. You can use these files in a photo booth as you would a standard photos. You can also open and edit these images in Photo editing software as you would a photo.

·         PDF FILE – This is a printable document that may have multiple pages depending on your purchase. To view and print the PDF files you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader (or another PDF program). You can download Adobe Acrobat Reader DC for free here: https://get.adobe.com/reader  You can print these files at home or ask your local print shop to print them for you.

·         PNG FILE – This is an image file which can sometimes include transparent backgrounds (i.e. cutting templates for Silhouette Cutting machines). While you can print these files as you would a JPEG, they are not a standard photo file. They would normally be used in conjunction with software such as Photoshop or your Silhouette Machine. They are commonly used in Digital Scrapbooking for individual elements where a transparent background is needed.

·         CUTTING FILES – If these files are included in your purchase, you can use them with cutting machines to create stickers, tags etc. 

·         PNG CUTTING TEMPLATE – These files are not cutting files but can be used to create a template for cut marks when using cutting machines. They are usually PNG files with transparent background and black elements.

·         INSTRUCTIONS – You may receive an instruction sheet that gives you tips for printing or using your printable. This depends on the shop and will usually be included in your download file.

·         A4/A5/US LETTER SIZING – If your description states a size it means that the printable you are purchasing is designed to be printed at that particular size. While you can manipulate the sizing when printing, the results can vary.

·         CROP MARKS – Some printables provide crop marks to assist when trimming your printable. For example, 8×10 prints can be printed on both A4 and US Letter sized paper but if you want it to fit into an 8×10 frame you will need to trim. This is where crop marks are super handy because you can simply trim using the marks, rather than measuring and ruling your lines.

·         COLOURS MAY VARY – Most printable files will come with this disclaimer. It is very difficult to get EXACT results between computer and your finished print due to variations between computer and printer settings and paper choice. Having said that, your print should be similar to what you see on screen. For best results follow the printing instructions included with your printable and if the print still is drastically contact the seller for advice.

The actual files you receive will vary from seller to seller. Make sure you check the product description to ensure the file format that you need is provided.

Want to take the concept of printables for a test ride before you make a purchase? Click below to access my FREE printables library. It includes fun sheets, art and planner items. Have a play and see if printables are your thing!