How to print your PDF

Your Herald Lab pack arrives as a PDF by email. Here is how to print it so it looks its best, at home, at a print shop, or through an online print service that ships it to you.

Good to know: the Standard pack is 1 page; the Executive and Dual packs are 2 pages (page 1 coat of arms, page 2 history). Each PDF is made in US Letter or A4, portrait or landscape; your delivery email shows the size and orientation of your PDF under “Paper”.
Choose how to print:At homeAt a print shopOnline, shipped to you

1Open and save the PDF

Open the download link in your email and save the PDF
  • In your delivery email, tap Download your PDF. The link opens in any browser.
  • Save the PDF to your computer or phone (download icon, or Share › Save to Files on iPhone). Printing from the saved file works best.
  • Keep the email: it is your permanent link.

2Print settings

Print settings: paper size, orientation, 100% scale, best quality, color
  • Paper size: US Letter or A4, the size shown in your email (or the paper you have).
  • Orientation: as in the PDF (portrait or landscape). “Auto” usually picks it correctly.
  • Scale: “Actual size” / 100% when the paper matches the PDF size.
  • Quality: Best / High.
  • Color: Color (not grayscale), single-sided, each page on its own sheet.
  • Paper type: tell the printer what you loaded (e.g. matte or cardstock), so it uses the right amount of ink.

3Actual size or Fit to page?

Actual size on matching paper; Fit to page on the other size
  • Same paper as the PDF (Letter on Letter, A4 on A4): choose “Actual size”, “100%” or “Default”.
  • The other size (Letter PDF on A4 paper, or A4 on Letter): choose “Fit to page”, “Fit to printable area” or “Scale to fit”. The page is scaled slightly and stays complete, with small extra margins.
  • If the decorative edge looks cut off at 100%, your printer cannot print that close to the edge; use “Fit to page”.

4Which paper?

Paper choices: plain white, matte cardstock (recommended), ivory or parchment, glossy
  • Plain bright white, 100–120 g/m² (about 27–32 lb bond): fine for everyday copies.
  • Recommended: heavier matte cardstock, 160–250 g/m² (about 60–90 lb cover): richer color and a sturdy feel, ideal for framing. Check your printer’s maximum paper weight and use the rear or manual feed if it has one.
  • Cream, ivory or parchment-style paper: gives an antique, old-document look; colors look warmer.
  • Glossy photo paper: avoid unless you want a shiny finish; it reflects light behind glass.

5Three ways to print

Printing at home

At home

  • Load cardstock or good white paper, use the settings above, and print one test page on plain paper first.
  • Best if your printer is a color inkjet or laser that accepts heavier paper.
Printing at a print shop from a phone or USB stick

At a print shop

  • In the US: FedEx Office, Staples or The UPS Store. Elsewhere: any local copy or print shop.
  • Bring the PDF on your phone or a USB stick (or email it to the shop) and ask for: “Color print, actual size, on matte cardstock, single-sided.”
  • Ask to see one proof before printing several copies.
Uploading the PDF to an online print service that ships to you

Online, shipped to you

  • Upload the PDF to an online print service, choose the paper, and have the prints delivered.
  • In the US, FedEx Office and Staples accept PDF uploads for document printing on cardstock, with delivery or store pickup. Vistaprint accepts PDF uploads for poster prints in several countries.
  • Elsewhere, choose a local online print service that accepts PDF uploads for documents or posters. Pick the size that matches your PDF and check the preview before you pay.

6Framing tips

Framing: 8.5 x 11 in or A4 frame, or a larger frame with a mat
  • Standard frames fit the page directly: 8.5 × 11 in (US Letter) or A4 (21 × 29.7 cm).
  • For a finished look, use a larger frame with a mat: an 11 × 14 in frame with a mat cut for 8.5 × 11, or a 30 × 40 cm frame with a mat for A4. The mat also hides any white printer margin.
  • Executive and Dual: frame the two pages side by side, or the coat of arms page alone and keep the history page in a folder.
  • Hang away from direct sunlight to keep the colors bright.

Questions

Can I print from my phone?

Yes. iPhone: open the PDF, tap Share › Print, choose your AirPrint printer. Android: open the PDF, tap Share or the ⋮ menu › Print, choose your printer. Check paper size and scale before printing.

Can I print more copies?

Yes, print as many copies as you like for personal and family use, for example one for each relative.

There are white borders around the page.

Most home printers cannot print to the very edge, so a thin white margin is normal. A mat or a careful trim hides it; a print shop can also trim to size.

The edge of the design is cut off.

Use “Fit to page” instead of 100%; the page will shrink slightly to fit inside the printable area.

The colors look darker than on screen.

Screens are lit from behind, paper is not. Use Best/High quality, set the paper type to match what you loaded, check the ink levels, and try a brighter white or matte paper. A print shop usually gives the most accurate color.

The download link will not open.

Download the PDF first and open the saved file, or try another browser or device. If you cannot find the delivery email, check your spam or junk folder. Still stuck? Write to orders@heraldlab.com with your order number.

Which size and orientation is my PDF?

Your delivery email lists it under “Paper”: US Letter or A4, portrait or landscape.

Questions about an order? orders@heraldlab.com (include your order number) · Help: support@heraldlab.com