The short answer: print at 100% scale and check one grid square with a ruler. Each square should be about 5 mm, the width of a standard bead. If the squares are smaller or bigger, your build will not match the grid.
The most common mistake is fit-to-page printing, which silently shrinks every square. The pattern still looks right on paper and builds wrong on the board.
The checklist
- In the print dialog, set scale to 100% and turn off fit-to-page.
- Print one page, then measure a grid square with a ruler.
- Each square should be about 5 mm. Mini bead patterns use 2.6 mm squares.
- If the squares are off, adjust the scale in the dialog, not the pattern.
- For large patterns, mark off rows as you build so you do not lose your place.
Why size matters
A 29 by 29 pattern should measure about 145 mm on paper, close to the actual board. If your print is smaller, you will place beads differently than the grid shows. Our bead count guide explains the math, and patterns from the pattern library print at the right size automatically. The pattern maker also exports print-ready pages.