Printing your layout in 1:1

[Anonymous]

Good news for those, who are designing their layouts on the computer!

I printed my 3x7 N scale layout yesterday in full size on one sheet of paper at Kinko’s.
$12 for a black & white printout. Not bad, huh?

I downloaded Kinko’s free “File Prep Tool” from their web site. After you install it, you’ll have a new Kinko’s printer on your computer. I used 3rd Planit for my layout and printed from there, but this should work with any Windows application.
You’ll have to play with the print settings (orientation, size, margins etc), but you’ll get a preview window.
When the preview looks right, save it to a floppy and head over to Kinko’s.

The widest they can print is 36”, but as long as you want. If your layout is wider, you might have to print two rows and tape them together. Also allow for small margins, so nothing important gets chopped off.
They charge 50 Cents per square foot for B&W, more for color.

Here's a screenshot and some pictures of the printout that I took yesterday:

[claycts]

Neat, How can I get a 22fy by 18 ft done? 36" strips= 6 at 22 ft long. If my math is correct.
Thanks Kyle I am also using 3rd planet. I was going to fix my pen plotter and use AutoCadd but this sounds better and cheaper than repairing an 18 year old pen plotter.

[ukguy]

hmmmmm, maybe an idea for panoramic photographic backdrops, although at $1:50 per linear foot for b/w I dread to think what colour would cost.

Have fun & be safe,
Karl.

[CBQ_Guy]

We don't have one of those Kinky places by us. I wonder if Strapless (Staples) has something similar I could use.

[hoscalelarry]

Not being able to get to Kinko's [disabled Vietnam vet here]-- I have my "3 D" track planning program that will print 1:1 from my laser printer on legal size paper I have here. Just going to need a LOT of tape LOL to line it all up.

BTW -- I'm working on getting a web site up for pics of the "Train Room" before I start. My room is 30 foot by 12 foot with one door in North East corner 4 foot out from corner. It is totaly empty -- no hot water heater, nothing that is usually in the way in a basement "up north" . This room was 2 years in the planning and I have finally got a plan for it -- I will put it up on line as soon as I get pics of the empty basement.

[AltonFan]

I know that some Xerox color printers have a routine that allows pictures to be printed on multiple sheets of paper, with a slight image overlap. The sheets then can be spliced together to make a single picture.

[railroadyoshi]

i really like this idea