How to assemble a poster from printed pages.
A good join starts before you apply tape. Prepare a flat surface, a ruler, suitable scissors or a cutting tool, and tape. Use cutting tools carefully and supervise children when appropriate.
Print and lay out every sheet
Choose Actual size for all pages and keep the printer settings unchanged between sheets. Let the ink dry, then lay out the first row from left to right using the row and column labels. Complete the full grid before cutting, so you can check that no page is missing.
Understand the overlap
A 5 mm overlap repeats the same 5 mm strip on two neighboring pages. It is shared picture content, not a blank gap. Trim the white edge from one sheet along the cut marks, then place it over the neighboring sheet until the repeated details match. Leave the other sheet's edge underneath for attachment.
Join the pages without pulling the paper
- Start with two sheets in the top row and line up recognizable image details.
- Use small pieces of tape on the back, then check the front.
- Finish the row and add the next row without stretching or pulling the paper.
- Once the poster is complete, trim the outside border if you want.
When the pieces do not line up
Measure two sheets to check whether the print scaling changed. Look for Fit to page or borderless enlargement in the driver. Small mechanical shifts can also occur during printing. Overlap helps with alignment, but it cannot automatically correct printer distortion.
Create a poster PDF or review the actual-size print settings before trying again.