Match the file to your paper
Choose US Letter for 8.5 × 11 inch paper, or A4 for 210 × 297 mm paper. Pick the same size in your printer settings. Do not place a Letter file on A4 paper and assume automatic scaling will preserve the card dimensions.
The game and keepsake cards measure 5 × 7 inches. One-per-page files center a card on portrait paper; two-per-page files put two cards side by side on landscape paper. Raffle tickets use a separate 3.5 × 2 inch layout.
Use Actual size / 100%
Open the downloaded PDF in your preferred PDF viewer. Select Actual size, 100% or the equivalent setting rather than Fit to page. The paper already includes margins and crop marks.
Start with one sheet. Measure a card if its exact size matters. The two-per-page option keeps both cards at 5 × 7 inches; it does not shrink two full-page cards to fit. Printer-specific scaling may still change the result, which is why a test sheet is useful.
Keep host pages out of guest stacks
Word-search and scramble downloads include an answer key on a separate page marked Answer Key. Reprint the guest page for additional players, and keep the key with the host.
The complete set includes a host instruction page. It also contains your chosen bingo quantity and raffle tickets. Advice and prediction pages can be reprinted without changing a puzzle or card arrangement.
Choose your paper and ink
Regular paper is suitable for puzzle games. A heavier paper can make keepsake cards feel sturdier, as long as your printer supports it. Check the printer's paper specifications before loading cardstock.
Free printables always use plain white paper. Low-ink mode changes the lettering to dark text. Complete sets keep your chosen colors and illustrations. Inspect the Print sheet view to check the layout before downloading.
Cut at the marks
Use the small crop marks outside each card as guides. A ruler and craft knife, paper trimmer or scissors can work; use the tools you handle safely. Cut all game cards before guests arrive.
If something looks clipped, check paper size, orientation and scaling first. Do not keep printing the whole file while adjusting settings. One test page is enough to diagnose most layout mismatches.
Written for the ShowerPrintables printable set. About this project. For print settings, test one sheet on your printer before making the full quantity.