How to Print Junk Journal Pages True Size
- Rose - Rustic Wild Rose
- Sep 26
- 4 min read
If you’ve ever downloaded a printable junk journal kit only to find that the pages come out too small, cropped, or blurry, you’re not alone.
Many beginners run into printing problems that make their projects more frustrating than fun. The good news? With the right printer settings, you can get perfect, true-to-size junk journal prints every time.
In this guide, I’ll walk you step by step through how to print junk journal pages, folios, and ephemera correctly. I’ll also share troubleshooting tips, the best paper settings, and a free test printable so you can practice before using your favorite kits.
Common Printing Problems
Before we dive into the solution, let’s look at some of the most common issues junk journalers face when printing digital kits:
Pages are too small – They don’t fill the page, leaving a big white border.
Designs cut off – Borders and edges disappear because the printer scaled incorrectly.
Colors look dull or dark – The printout doesn’t match what you saw on your screen.
Images don’t line up – When printing double-sided, the fronts and backs are misaligned.
If any of these sound familiar, don’t worry — they’re easy to fix with just a few simple settings.
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Print Junk Journal Digital Pages
True to Size
Step 1: Download High-Resolution Files
Always start by downloading the original high-resolution files. My kits at Rustic Wild Rose are designed at 300 DPI for crisp, professional-quality printing. Save the files directly to your computer — don’t print from an email preview or browser tab, as those often compress or auto-resize the images.
Step 2: Open in the Right Program
For PDFs, open the file in Adobe Acrobat Reader (free to download). For JPGs, use your computer’s default photo viewer or a program like Photoshop. Avoid printing directly from your browser — browsers sometimes shrink images to “fit to page,” which is what causes sizing errors.
Step 3: Set Printer to “Actual Size” or “100%”
This is the most important step! In the print dialog box, look for the scaling options:
Select “Actual Size” or “100%”.
Make sure “Fit to Page” or “Shrink Oversized Pages” is unchecked.
This ensures that your pages print exactly at the size they were designed — no shrinking, stretching, or cropping.
Step 4: Choose Paper Settings
Your choice of paper makes a huge difference in print quality. Here are my recommendations:
For pages: Use 8.5x11-inch cardstock or high-quality presentation paper.
For ephemera: Use medium-weight cardstock (65–80 lb) so tags and labels are sturdy.
Printer setting: Change “Paper Type” to match (cardstock or photo paper).
Double-sided printing: If your printer supports it, choose “flip on short edge.” If not, flip manually and test with scrap paper first.
Step 5: Run a Test Page
Before printing a full kit, always print a single test page. Use a ruler to check measurements:
Tags should be the correct dimensions listed in the product description.
Journal pages should measure half of an 8.5x11 sheet when folded.
Running a test page saves ink, paper, and frustration later.
Tips for Best Print Quality
Want your printables to look as good on paper as they do on screen? Here are some extra tips:
Print in “Best” or “High Quality” mode — draft mode will make prints look dull.
Adjust brightness — if your printouts are too dark, raise brightness by 5–10%.
Let the ink dry fully — especially on heavy paper. Stack prints only when dry to avoid smudges.
Store pages flat — press under books to keep cardstock from curling.
Troubleshooting: Quick Fixes
Even with the right settings, sometimes issues pop up. Here’s how to solve them:
Colors too dark: Increase brightness or saturation in your print dialog.
Page cropped: Check that margins are set to “0” and scaling is on “100%.”
Blurry print: Ensure you’re using the 300 DPI file and high-quality print mode.
Misaligned double-sided pages: Switch between “flip on long edge” vs. “flip on short edge.”
Free Test Print + Practice Sheet
To make things easier, I’ve created a free printable test page for you. It includes sample tags, a mini journal page, and a ruler grid so you can check alignment and sizing before printing full kits.
Free printable test sheet:
Kits That Print Perfectly
Once you’re comfortable with your printer settings, try them out on some of my most popular printable kits:
Each kit is designed for 8.5x11 printing at 300 DPI — meaning what you see on screen is exactly what you’ll get on paper.
Printing junk journal pages true to size doesn’t have to be stressful. By downloading high-resolution files, opening them in the right program, and selecting “Actual Size” in your printer settings, you’ll get perfect results every time.
Ready to put this guide into practice? Start with my free test sheet, then explore the Printable Junk Journal Kits at Rustic Wild Rose to find your next creative project.
Free printable test sheet:
Happy journaling! 🌹
$50
Product Title sample
Product Details goes here with the simple product description and more information can be seen by clicking the see more button. Product Details goes here with the simple product description and more information can be seen by clicking the see more button
$50
Product Title
Product Details goes here with the simple product description and more information can be seen by clicking the see more button. Product Details goes here with the simple product description and more information can be seen by clicking the see more button.
Thank you! This will definitely come in handy.