Printable Coloring Pages: How to Print Them Properly
Printable coloring pages are wonderfully flexible — reprint a favourite as often as you like — but a page printed on thin copier paper can feel disappointing. A few settings fix that.
Choose the right paper
Standard copier paper is around 80 gsm and buckles under markers. Aim for 120–160 gsm smooth white paper for pencils, or 200 gsm cardstock if the household favours felt tips. Smooth surfaces keep outlines sharp; textured paper suits pastels instead.
Print settings that matter
Print at 'Actual size' or 100% rather than 'Fit to page', so margins stay consistent. Choose the highest quality setting and, if your printer offers it, a heavier paper type — it slows the feed and lays down cleaner black lines.
Greyscale printing is fine and saves colour ink, but avoid 'draft' mode, which thins the outlines.
Stop the bleed
Slide a spare sheet under the page before using markers. It protects the table and the next page, and it costs nothing.
Where to find the files
Pola Blue printable editions are available as instant-download PDFs in the Etsy and Naffy shops, while the same designs exist as paperbacks on Amazon for anyone who prefers a bound book.
Explore the books
Every idea in this article comes out of making coloring books for kids and adults. Browse the full collection or grab a printable edition to try at home.