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Print a floor plan to scale and check the result
A scaled print needs a known drawing scale, the correct paper setup and a measured check on the output. Print at the intended size, then measure a reference line. A PDF file extension alone does not guarantee scale.
Prepare your plan for export ↗Use the editor on a computer. Editing is free; Google sign-in is required for PNG, PDF and DXF exports.
Decide whether you need a visual overview or a measured sheet
For discussing where furniture goes, a clear PDF overview may be enough. Add dimension annotations so the reader can understand the intended distances. For a sheet someone will measure with a ruler, the printed geometry must also match the stated scale.
FloorDraft fits the PDF drawing onto the page for a visual overview. To print a drawing you can measure with a ruler, export DXF and set the print scale in a CAD application.
Calculate a reference length before printing
Write the expected value down before opening the print dialog. Use a long reference where practical so small ruler-reading errors are easier to notice. The reference must come from trustworthy dimensions in the model.
| Real length | Target scale | Expected paper length |
|---|---|---|
| 5000 mm | 1:50 | 100 mm |
| 5000 mm | 1:100 | 50 mm |
| 12 feet (144 inches) | ¼ inch = 1 foot | 3 inches |
Set up a scaled CAD print
Automatic fit, shrink-to-printable-area or a changed paper size can alter the result. Print dialogs differ, so use the application’s instructions and the physical measurement together. A correctly scaled digital sheet can still be resized by the printer settings.
- Open the DXF and confirm the drawing unit by measuring a known span.
- Choose the output paper size and orientation.
- Set the layout or viewport to the required scale in the CAD application.
- Export the sheet to PDF and check its page dimensions.
- Print with the size setting that preserves that sheet, and measure the reference on paper.
Diagnose a wrong printed length
If a line expected to be 100 mm prints at 95 mm, the result is 95% of the target. The mathematical correction factor is 100 ÷ 95 ≈ 1.0526. First inspect fit-to-page, margins and paper settings rather than repeatedly applying an unexplained correction.
Check a second reference in the other direction. If one direction is right and the other is wrong, uniform scaling cannot fix both; investigate distortion in the source or export. Keep the original measured design rather than stretching it to compensate for a printing problem.
Label the output for the person using it
Include the units, intended print scale, paper size and date with the drawing. If it is only a visual overview, say so. Keep a reference dimension visible so a later recipient can detect resizing.
For purchasing furniture or planning work, check the critical distances in the real room. Printing a drawing accurately preserves its dimensions; it does not make an inaccurate source measurement correct.
Questions
Can I just choose 100% in the print dialog?
Only if the source sheet was already created at the intended scale and paper size. Always measure the printed reference.
Does increasing PDF resolution fix the scale?
No. Resolution affects image detail. Geometric scale depends on the model, sheet setup and output size.
References
Use the example dimensions to follow the calculations, then repeat them with your own measurements. The examples are not building standards.