How to print layered PDF files

Starting this July, all the patterns on The Little Sewist blog are printed in layered PDF format. It means that each size will be placed in one layer, and users can choose one or more specific layers to print.

PDF Layer is a feature that allows some content to be made visible or invisible in the PDF files. Its uses include PDF overlays, having alternate languages appear and adding details to diagrams. Now instead of printing a single layered PDF file with all sizes displayed (which is very messy and complicating), you can print a layer of your choice to have clean pages which is much easier to use.

Now, let's see you you can print a layered PDF file.

For those who use Foxit PDF Reader:

I am using Foxit PDF Reader, which is a free software and is lighter than Adobe Acrobat Reader. When I open the pattern file with all layers displayed, you can see a lot of lines in the pages. Now can you identify which one is the size you want to cut? Difficult, right?

Now you click on the Layer icon on the left of the screen. You will see a list of layers which are the sizes in the pattern file:

To hide the sizes that you do not want to use, just uncheck the box next to the names of the layers. For example, I want to print just size S, so I will uncheck all other sizes. The layer named "Print for all sizes" must be checked all the time because it contains all the information needed to use the file.

You will see that the file looks much cleaner without unwanted sizes.

Now just click Print, choose print at actual size or 100% scale and you will get the pattern ready!

For those who use Adobe Acrobat Reader:

It is similar to printing layered PDF files in Foxit Reader. As I do not have Adobe Acrobat Reader on my computer, I just copied the guide from Adobe help center here:

1. Click the Layers icon in the Navigation panel. (If the Layers icon is not visible, choose View > Show/Hide > Navigation Panes > Layers.) 

2. Choose Apply Print Overrides from the Options menu.