How to Print Coloring Pages From a Computer or Smartphone (2024)

Learning how to print coloring pages is easy. (Definitely much simpler than mastering a new coloring skill!)

Below, I'll cover how to get better coloring page printing results, whether you're printing from your smartphone or computer.You only need a home printer and your chosen coloring page or printable coloring book PDF file.

Free Coloring Pages Online

Most of the free coloring pages you find online, including ours, can be printed directly from your internet browser. Once the PDF is open in your browser window, choose "print" from your browser menu.

If you purchased a digital coloring book from Etsy or elsewhere and downloaded it to your computer, you'll need a PDF program to open it. Most computers will automatically open files like this with their native PDF program. Another option is to download Adobe Acrobat and install it on your computer.

📱Jump to how to print a coloring page from your phone.

Printing Coloring Pages

Printing coloring pages is both an art and a practical process. Here's how to achieve the best results.

1: Prepping the Printer: Choose Your Paper

First, select a high-quality paper type that suits coloring. I recommend thicker kinds of paper, like cardstock. These resist bleed-through and can handle more ink, both from your printer and your

If your printer has multiple trays, load this paper into the tray designated for thick paper.

The next steps in printing coloring pages all occur in the print menu (aka print dialog box) on your computer or mobile phone.

2: Tell the Printer Which Tray to Take Paper From

You need to tell the printer which paper tray to use, especially if you're using specific paper types, like heavy cardstock.

Go to the menu in your browser or other computer program. Click "File," then choose the "print" option. This should cause a print dialog box to pop up. This is where you should select the paper tray you loaded with your chosen paper.

Placing paper in the manual feed will prompt the printer to pull from there automatically on some printers. Many printers only have one paper tray, so you can skip this step entirely.

3: Choose The Print Quality

Again, in the printer dialog box settings, adjust the print quality. Select from available print quality options: draft, normal, or best.

Draft:Uses the least amount of ink and prints the fastest.

Normal:A step up from draft.

Best:Slowest printing, uses the most ink/toner but gives the best results.

For intricate designs, choose 'High' to capture all the nuances of the design.

4: Choose to Print in Color or Black and White

Decide if you want your coloring page in black and white or color. This is an optional step because there's often not a noticeable difference.

Printing in black and white can save color ink. In color printing, all four colors (cyan, magenta, yellow, black) combine, which can sometimes create a richer black ink look.

For a classic coloring book experience, select black and white (also known as B&W or greyscale).

5: Tell The Printer Your Paper Type

Some printers optimize the print quality for different paper types like matte or photo paper.Inform the printer about the type of paper being used (e.g., heavyweight paper) through the "media type" setting.

Adjusting this setting can change how the printer handles the paper, such as slowing down rollers for heavy paper.

Additional Printer Settings

When printing coloring pages, you'll need to adjust your printer settings for the best results. Start by choosing the right paper type in your printer's settings. If you're using standard or specialty paper, select accordingly.

Actual Size Vs Fit to Page

Whether you're printing an online coloring page from your computer browser or using a PDF reader like Adobe Acrobat, you'll have some sizing settings to consider.

Fit to Page:

• This option is the safest bet. I recommend choosing this if you're unsure of your printer's margins.
• Fit to page (or "fit to paper") automatically scales the image to ensure it fits within the page's printable area, slightly reducing the size if necessary to avoid clipping edges.

Actual Size:

• This setting prints the image at its true dimensions without scaling it to fit on the paper.
• It's suitable when you know the exact size you want and are confident it will fit within your printer's margins.

Considerations

The choice between these options depends on your specific needs and understanding of your printer's capabilities. If you're unsure about the margins or want to guarantee the entire image prints without being cut off, "fit to page" is a safe choice.

Orientation

The "orientation" setting in your printer dialog box is quite straightforward. Set to 'Portrait' (vertical) or 'Landscape' (horizontal) based on the page layout.

How Can You Print Coloring Pages Directly From Your Smartphone?

Printing coloring pages from your mobile phone is often the most convenient option.

Step 1. First, navigate to the coloring page you want to print using your phone's internet browser. Some spammier coloring page websites steal jpgs from other sites and offer them as "coloring pages." These are often not high enough resolution to print without blurry lines.

For best results, ensure the coloring page is in PDF format for the best quality printout. (Don't worry, all Creative Color Lab's designs are PDFs.)

Step 2. To begin printing, tap the icon resembling a box with an arrow pointing out from the top right side. This icon is generally used for sharing and/or printing and is available in most apps.

After you tap this button, a range of options will appear, including printing or sharing the file on social media. Choose the 'Print' option.

3. In the printer dialog box that appears, select your printer. (Your phone and printer must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network to communicate with each other.)

Adjust any necessary settings (outlined above) such as the number of copies and color options.

Step 4. Finally, tap 'Print' to send your coloring page to the printer.

It's important to note that additional settings and options might be available when printing from a computer to offer more control over the printout.

Once you have your printed design, confidently try out a new-to-you technique or coloring tutorial. After all, now that you know how to print coloring sheets, you can always just print another copy!

Frequently Asked Questions

This section covers some of the most common questions I get about printing coloring pages.

What are the best types of paper to use when printing coloring pages?

The best paper types for printing coloring pages are usually thicker papers like cardstock or matte photo paper. These provide a sturdy base for coloring without bleeding.

To give your coloring a unique look, try printing on 8.5 x 11" pieces of brown craft paper.

What's the process for printing coloring pages from websites like Pinterest?

To print coloring pages from Pinterest, click the link on the pin to access the original website. From there, follow the steps on how to print coloring pages above.

Is it possible to create and print your own custom coloring pages?

Yes, you can create custom coloring pages using free graphic design programs like Canva.com. Once your masterpiece is finished, download it as a PDF. Open the PDF file in your PDF program of choice and follow the steps to print above.

Note: Each design platform has different terms of service about using their assets for coloring pages to sell. Please look into these rules if you plan to sell your designs.

Related: Check out our coloring glossary to get a crash course on concepts and ideas you might like to incorporate.

Inkjet Printers Vs. Laser Printers for Printing Line Art

Laser printers are best for printing coloring pages. I explain more about why below. But don't worry if you don't own a laser printer; your home printer can be a perfect tool.

Laser printers are often available for a small fee at office supply stores like Office Depot, Staples, and even your local library.

If you're looking to purchase a new printer though, here are some reasons you may want to choose one over the other.

Laser Printing

Laser printers are known for their speed and efficiency with larger volumes, but they also cost more at the onset. Here are a few benefits of laser printers for coloring pages:

• Smudge-Resistant Ink:The dry toner and heat process utilized by laser printers ensure that the ink sets permanently. This is particularly helpful if you're a colorist who loves markers or colored pencils, because the printed lines are less likely to smear.
• Enhanced Line Clarity:Laser printers are preferable for printing high-resolution coloring pages, as they tend to produce crisper and more defined lines compared to inkjet printers.
• Cost-Effectiveness Over Time:While the initial cost of toner cartridges for laser printers might be higher, they offer a better long-term investment due to their capacity to print significantly more pages before needing a replacement, compared to inkjet cartridges.
• Speed and Quiet Operation:Laser printers excel in efficiency, offering quicker printing speeds and operating with less noise, making them ideal for printing a large number of coloring pages without causing a racket.

Inkjet Printing

Inkjet printers are great for producing vibrant colors, which is less relevant when the page you're printing is already black and white. Inkjet printers tend to be more affordable and are, therefore, what often what people often use at home.

With each type of printer, you want to make sure your printer settings align with the paper type you've selected to achieve the best quality print.

Find Your Next Coloring Sheet

Ready to find some coloring pages to print? We've got lots to keep you busy. Make your own personal coloring book from your favorites!