INSTRUCTIONS

Yay! Thank you for ordering a set of paper dolls and/or outfits! Please follow the instructions below for printing and paper to have the best experience coloring and styling your characters.

WHAT YOU NEED

Paper, a coloring medium, sharp scissors, and the repositionable tape. All material recommendations are listed on My Material page.

PAPER + PRINT

1. Start with the recommended papers

Before you print, check out my recommended papers and materials. The paper you choose has to be thicker than ordinary copy paper to withstand regular use and styling, and it has to be compatible with your coloring material.

2. Print settings (the most important step)

Please make sure you use exactly the same printer settings and same paper type and size to print the doll and her outfits, or they may not fit together.

  • Print at 100%/"Actual Size." Don’t use "Fit to Page," "Shrink to Fit," or "Scale to Fit." Those options resize the page and may make outfits too small or too big.

  • Paper size: the files are set up ideally for A4 paper (210 x 297 mm) or US Letter size (8.5 x 11 in).

  • Use the same paper for all pages.

  • Same printer and same quality setting for every page. If you reprint a page later, use the identical settings. It helps to take a screenshot of the printer settings or write them down for when you print new outfits.

  • Print one-sided (turn off duplex/double-sided printing).

  • Quality: choose "High" or "Best." The files are line art, so black and white printing is all you need.

  • Inkjet printers: the ink on some inkjet printers can smear or bleed when you color over it immediately with markers or water. Make sure you give your prints a couple of minutes to dry before coloring, and test your coloring medium on a scrap print first.

3. Choosing your paper

See my recommended paper here.

My pick is Strathmore Marker Paper for marker coloring. Choose any paper that fits the medium you’re using, and that’s thick enough to withstand multiple uses and being taped and removed from your doll, but not too thick to cut in detail. Look for paper of about 190 gsm or a bit heavier. Make sure you buy the size that fits your printer.

CUT + COLOR

4. Cut

I cut my items before coloring and secure them with the repositionable tape to color. You may choose to color before cutting, as the full sheet is easier to hold steady.

  • Cut carefully outside the black outline, not on it. Leave a small margin (about 0.5-1 mm all the way around). This gives you room for cutting mistakes, and you can always trim closer later.

  • Carefully use good, sharp scissors and turn the paper (not the scissors) as you go around curves.

  • Keep leftover bits away from small children and pets.

5. Color

Color with me on the Paper Doll Society YouTube channel and steal all my designs and tips!

  • Match your medium to your paper. Always try on scrap paper before you color the actual doll/outfits.

  • Make sure wet media (markers/watercolors/paint) dry completely before cutting.

  • Color the doll first, then choose outfit colors that work with her skin and hair tones.

STYLE + PLAY

6. Assemble + play

Once you’re done coloring and cutting, use the repositionable tape runner to the back of the pieces of clothing to secure them onto your character. With this great method and no tabs, you can layer and add the small items (like purses and sunglasses) effortlessly. It’s so fun!

  • You don’t need too much of the tape; watch how I use it on YouTube or use your best judgment :)

  • When the items aren’t on the doll, stick them to any piece of cardboard or plastic until you use them again to style your character.

  • After repeated use, you may end up with some leftover tape “dust” on the doll; you can gently rub that with your fingers to remove it.

  • The Scotch repositionable tape runner may become less sticky with a lot of use; just reapply to the back of the items when it becomes unsticky.

THANK YOU + TERMS

I appreciate you buying this wonderful kit and playing with me! These days, original art is precious and artistic talent and integrity are more rare than ever. Your support is greatly appreciated and I can say this on behalf of all authentic artists. With that said…

  • These files are for personal use only. Please don't resell, share, or redistribute the files, and please don't upload them to other websites.

  • Questions or trouble printing? Contact me at loumaelk@gmail.com.

  • I'd love to see your finished dolls; please tag @paperdoll_society on Instagram!