Should you photocopy patterns?

First, always check the copyright and licensing permissions for any pattern that you are considering photocopying.

If you *do* have permission to copy the pattern for the use you intend the copy for, photocopying can be a wonderful time-saver, and can protect your original.

There is one important caveat...

Whenever you photocopy or print a woodcraft or woodworking pattern...

you need to take a special precaution to make sure you'll end up with a successful project.

Check every measurement and correct it before making any cuts in your wood!

Photocopiers and computer printers do not generally reproduce patterns exactly. Depending on the machine, and the path the paper is fed through, the copy may be shrunk or stretched either in length or width compared to the original.

If you then use the copies as your pattern for making cuts, you are likely to find that the parts do not fit together!

Get to know the copier or printer (every machine is different) and check, check, and check again.

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