I need to get my track plan printed out commercially as it is large (8mx4m).   I assume it is best to convert it to pdf and then send it to somewhere for printing.   A couple of questions.   Do in need to set up the sheet size and orientation, e.g. A1, or continuous plotter, before making the pdf, or does the person doing the printing decide the best/most economical way of doing it?
When it is being printed, does the person printing need to calibrate the printer, or do I just accepted as it is (probably pretty accurate)?

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I started a thread on this back in 2017; I'm sure the advice will still stand:

 https://85a.co.uk/forum/view_topic.php?id=2983&forum_id=1

The most important thing is to tell the printer to have his machine set to 100% - and if s/he argues go somewhere else!!

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Hi David,

Welcome to Templot Club.

Stuart's topic is at:

 https://85a.co.uk/forum/view_topic.php?id=2983&forum_id=1

I notice his recommended company has a branch in Penrith.

A bit tied up to write a full reply to your questions at present, I will write more later.

Martin.

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Stuart and Martin,
Thank you both for such swift and helpful replies. Heaton's sound just the job, I've had a quick look at their website.
Martin, thank you for promising to answer my questions, I think that I now know the answers from Stuarts thread! Anyway no rush, I shan't go to Heaton's now until after Christmas.
Stuart, when you have a moment, did you email them the pdf, or take it with you on your laptop or a memory stick? Sorry to be bothering you with such elementary questions - I am happier with wood and metal than electronics!

A very happy Christmas to you both - or as happy as can be in the circumstances, and stay safe!

David
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David Beale wrote:
Stuart, when you have a moment, did you email them the pdf, or take it with you on your laptop or a memory stick?
Hi David
I’ve looked into this in the past as well.  Although I ended up not having a plan commercially printed, I would have definitely gone in with a USB stick so I could explain in person how important it is to print at 100%, and to make sure that that instruction properly registered!

Of course, in the current climate you may have a very good reason not to want to go in person more than necessary.

Cheers,
Paul

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David,
I took the PDFs on a memory stick.
The lady who served me at Heaton's Penrith was very helpful.  At first she couldn't get the printer to work from my files but discovered that it had been set with a limited length that was way too short to print my plans, the longest of which was 9m; so she reset the limit to something approaching infinity I think and all was well.  That's three years ago but hopefully they are still obliging.
If Penrith is convenient for you we clearly can't be too far away from each other - in happier times I would suggest meeting up, but with current circumstances and infections surging in Eden at the moment that is obviously off the cards.  Send me a PM if you want, but no offence taken if you don't

Edit - just noted that you quoted your plan size as 8m x 4m.  You'll need to split that into sections as the printer width is limited to 900mm or thereabouts.

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Hello David,

I would be interested to know if the printed plans are acurate given that I assume the printer won't be calibrated. The track will be laid using gauges but it would be interesting to know how you get on. My plans printed using inkjet and laser at home are very accurate even without calibration.

An idea of the cost would also be welcome.

Seasons Greetings and stay safe.

Rob


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Rob,
My plans were certainly accurate; but as a precaution I took a short plan of a couple of turnout templates initially and checked those for accuracy - they were spot on, so I then went back with the long layout plans........
From memory I think I paid around £50 for the 9m plan and a couple of other much shorter ones.  I got the idea that they didn't often do printing on this scale and so there was no list of prices, the lady who served me simply throught of what seemed like an appropriate figure!  Again from memory, I think they did have prices for standard drawing sizes (such as those that would accompany a planning application, A1?) - £10 comes to mind.

Apologies for not signing previous posts - other forums that I'm on have a 'signature' facility which provides a sign-off automatically; I'd completely forgotten that isn't the case here.
Kind regards,
Stuart

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stuart1600 wrote: Rob,
My plans were certainly accurate; but as a precaution I took a short plan of a couple of turnout templates initially and checked those for accuracy - they were spot on, so I then went back with the long layout plans........
From memory I think I paid around £50 for the 9m plan and a couple of other much shorter ones.  I got the idea that they didn't often do printing on this scale and so there was no list of prices, the lady who served me simply throught of what seemed like an appropriate figure!  Again from memory, I think they did have prices for standard drawing sizes (such as those that would accompany a planning application, A1?) - £10 comes to mind.

Apologies for not signing previous posts - other forums that I'm on have a 'signature' facility which provides a sign-off automatically; I'd completely forgotten that isn't the case here.
Kind regards,
Stuart
Hello Stuart,
Thanks for the info. I guess they have to factor in the ink costs etc which could be quite a bit on larger prints.
Rob


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Hello Everyone,

Heaton's in Penrith no longer do printing, which is a shame. But I there are many other places there and in Carlisle that print posters up to A0, which I guess may be done on a roll printer. I shall investigate!

Stuart - that occurred to me as well! We are a little way out of Hesket Newmarket, so perhaps could meet up when things settle down (!).

Best wishes,

David
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