Do you love all the budget-friendly decorations that are available online these days? They take the pressure and stress out of party planning and how it eliminates the extra expense of pricey decorations. However, if you’ve purchased printable decorations on Etsy, or from anyone online (like me!) who creates digital and printable party decorations, you might be wondering the best way to go about actually printing them. You might also know that I have some great suggestions on items you might need to DIY your party decorations. But, here’s some details and specifics about How to Print Printable Party Decorations so that your decorations are amazing for your party or event!
Please note, this page contains affiliate links to products I recommend. If you purchase something from this page, I may receive a small percentage of the sale at no extra cost to you. For additional information, please see my privacy and disclosures page.
Can You Print Your Own Decorations – YES YOU CAN!
If you’ve ever come across party decorations that you love online, but then notice they’re printable and digital files, it might freak you out! If you feel like you aren’t tech savvy or are computer illiterate, don’t let this deter you! It’s easy, I promise!
First, you’ll purchase the item. After you purchase your file, it is emailed directly to you. This is the case for all the digital parties on my website. If you order on Etsy, like from my shop, you’ll head over to your purchases and reviews tab to get your file. I’d like to point out to you that, as of today, you must be on a computer to download your file. You will not be able to do it from a mobile device. (Etsy doesn’t tell you this, and it can be a little confusing!)
All of my printable party decorations come as one of three files, a JPG, PDF, or PNG. If you’re confused about the difference between these files, you will want to read my blog, What Are Digital Party Decorations for the breakdown.
Printing Your Printable Party Decorations
Now you have your files downloaded on your computer, you open them up, and they look something like what’s pictured below. At this point you might have a ton of questions. HOW do I print them? Can I print them at home? Is it easy? Yes it is! Keep reading!
How to Print Printable Party Decorations
Most of the items that I create, both in my Etsy shop, and on the Printable Decorations on my website can be printed on regular 8.5 x 11 paper with your regular printer. Yes! That means you can print banners, favor tags, centerpiece sticks, and small signs at home with your regular printer and regular paper! See, I told you it was easy!
That said, I do recommend quality paper for your most vibrant prints. Read about The Best Paper to Print Printable Party Decorations to learn about the paper I use to create my custom party decorations for customers. Additionally, I have a blog about my favorite printer as well. Again, you don’t need these things to get the job done.
If you don’t have your own printer to print these party decorations, I highly recommend FedEx. Yes, at one time, FedEx was just a shipping company! But then they merged with Kinkos and voila! They print all things, including printable party decorations. Because most of my items are 8.5 x 11 JPGs, it will be easy for them to print them, and then you’ll cut and assemble the rest at home.
How to Print Printable Party Decorations: Posters
If you are printing digital party decorations that are slightly larger than what your printer can print at home, I highly recommend using a printing service like Walgreens. One of the main reasons I always encourage printing posters through Walgreens, is that they always have coupons. Secondly, you can order your poster online and pick it up within the hour. Walgreens offers a regular Poster that you can frame or you can have it mounted on Posterboard. Both options are offered in the following sizes, 11×14, 12×18, 16×20, 20×30, and 24×36.
Another thing you should know about printing posters (and any item) is that it must be printed at the size it was designed. For example, if you buy a poster that is 24 x 36, that is the size you need to have it printed. Otherwise, the print will come out blurry or pixelated and you will be sad :(. If you’re working with me, I can usually adjust the size of a poster to what you need for a small fee.
Printing Extra Large Posters
If the sizes mentioned above are STILL too small for the party signs or posters that you want to print, I will refer you back to FedEx, which is a great resource for large prints. You can do it locally or have it shopped to you.
If you’re looking to make an even BIGGER statement with your party posters, I recommend a Step and Repeat Banner, like the one I created below for my daughter’s Balle-THREE-na birthday party!
This is a “Step and Repeat” type banner. You often see step and repeat banners at large events or that celebrities stand in front of to take photos. {Look over here!!! ::SNAP:: ::FLASH:: ::SNAP:: ::FLASH:: } I got this large Step and Repeat Banner at Bing Banners and it was 84″ x 48″ – I say this in inches, but they often list them in feet. You just need to convert feet to inches. They have plenty of other sizes as well. (Full transparency! I don’t have an affiliate relationship with them. However, I am SUPER impressed with the low price tag and VERY quick shipping!)
If you purchase a step and repeat banner, you may want to purchase a stand like this one, or one like the below.
How to Print Editable PDFs
An editable PDF is a great way to personalize your party decorations, and I make a lot of my decorations editable! However, some people run into issues when printing their editable party decorations. I have some troubleshooting tips in my blog, How To Edit a Printable PDF Invitation. (Even though it says editable PDF Invitation, the troubleshooting tips are the same for any party decoration that is an editable PDF – i.e. welcome signs, favor tags, centerpiece sticks, etc.)
Where *Not* to Print Your Printable Party Decorations and Invitations
I just want to say here that I don’t recommend Staples or Office Max for printing your printable party decorations. Why? The people seem to not know what they’re doing. I’m sorry if you work there! This has just been my experience. Additionally, customers tell me that employees tell them that the item is copyrighted…when it’s NOT. I do not use any copyrighted items in my designs and if you’ve read about my worst year ever, then you know why. 😉 So, what I’m telling you is that, in my experience, I just don’t recommend these providers. (Happy to be convinced otherwise though!)
What About Invitations?
Printing invitations is kind of another story. Why? Well there are a lot of factors. For example, do you want to print on heavy cardstock? Does your printer print borderless prints? Do you just want to print them from a printer online and have them shipped to you? I’ve written a few blogs to help you specifically with invitations. Here’s where you can learn about how outsource your invitation printing in, Print Invitations Online and everything you need to know about printing your own invitations.
Related Articles
You might also be interested in the following articles:
The Best Printer for Cardstock Invitations
The Best Paper for Vibrant Print Then Cut Cricut Projects
How to Print Invitations Without a Borderless Printer
Lastly, thank you so much for taking the time to read about How to Print Printable Party Decorations. I hope this gives you some ideas about how to print your party decorations that you buy online! I love to help you celebrate life through party decorations and personal development! But above all, I’d love to connect with you. Reach out to me on Instagram and let’s chat.
xox
Lindsay
