How to Print A0 Sewing Patterns: A Complete Guide
If you've bought a PDF sewing pattern, your designer usually provides it in more than one file format — a tiled "print-at-home" version meant to be taped together, and a full-scale A0 / Copy Shop version made for large-format printing. This guide explains what A0 printing is, how A0 paper sizes work, how to tell whether your file should be printed as A0 or By-the-Foot, and how to get it printed accurately and ready to sew.
What Is A0 Printing (and How Big Is A0 Paper)?
A0 is the largest standard ISO paper size: 841 × 1189 mm (33.1 × 46.8 inches) — roughly 16 sheets of letter paper in one. The A0 (or "copy shop") version of a pattern is built to print full-scale on large-format paper, so your pieces come out at true 100% size — not tiled across dozens of letter pages you'd have to trim and tape. This is also called "copy shop" or "large-format" printing.
Which File Should You Print — Home-Print or A0 / Copy Shop?
Most designers give you your pattern in more than one format. The two that matter for printing are:
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Letter / A4 (print at home): dozens of small pages you print at home, trim, and tape together — slow, and scaling errors compound across every seam.
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A0 / Copy Shop / Wide Format / Single Sheet: the full pattern at true scale on large-format paper. This is the version we print for you.
An A0 file is already full-size — you don't print it at home and assemble it. To use it you need large-format printing, since a home printer can't produce it.
Where to Print Your A0 File
Once you have the large-format file, you need somewhere that can print it at full scale. Two options:
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A local copy shop: most towns have one that handles large format. Convenient in theory, but staff rarely work with sewing patterns — so scaling, margins, and line clarity can be inconsistent, and you often can't tell until you're home.
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A dedicated pattern-printing service: a printer that works only with sewing patterns prints at verified true scale on the right paper and ships to you, with no scaling surprises or counter interpretation. (That's what we do here at Tape Free Patterns!)
A0 or By-the-Foot — Which Does Your Pattern Need?
We print everything on professional 36-inch-wide roll paper, so the option you choose comes down to your file's size:
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A0 — for files that fit the A0 size (33.11" × 46.81"). Priced by the page, available on all media types.
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By-the-Foot — for files longer than A0, or continuous "Single Sheet" / "Wide Format" designs like long dresses, coats, and cosplay pieces. Priced by the linear foot.
Not sure which you have? Our free Page Count Tool identifies whether your file fits A0 or should be ordered by the foot, so you choose the right product before you order.
Choosing Your Material: Bond, Translucent, or Non-Woven
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Bond paper — affordable, easy to cut, ideal for most patterns.
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Translucent paper — lets you trace and layer; preferred by many garment makers.
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Non-woven interfacing (aka Easy Pattern) — durable, flexible, and tear-resistant for patterns you'll reuse.
You Don't Have to Calculate the Quantity
Once you've chosen the right product — A0 or By-the-Foot — and uploaded your pattern, our system automatically counts your file and sets the correct quantity for you. That holds for both formats: no guessing how many A0 sheets you need, and no working out the length for a by-the-foot job. You can't order the wrong amount.
Want the count before you order? The Page Count Tool gives you the number in advance.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size is A0 paper?
A0 is the largest standard ISO paper size — 841 × 1189 mm (33.1 × 46.8 inches), roughly 16 letter-size sheets in one. Most full-size sewing patterns are designed to print on one or more A0 sheets.
Is A0 printing the same as copy shop printing?
Effectively, yes. "Copy shop" is the term sewists use for large-format, full-scale printing — your pattern at true 100% size on large sheets instead of tiled across letter pages.
How do I know if my pattern is A0 or by-the-foot?
Run your file through our free Page Count Tool. It identifies whether your pattern is standard A0 or a non-standard by-the-foot job, so you choose the right product before you order.
Do I have to tape A0 patterns together?
Far less than printing at home — and often not at all. Your pattern prints full-scale on large-format paper, not as dozens of letter pages. If a designer splits large pieces across multiple A0 sheets you may join a couple; if they offer a continuous "Single Sheet" or "Wide Format" file, we print it by the foot with no taping at all.