Why doesn't Azul Prints accept DWG or DXF files?

DWG files require the same AutoCAD version and all referenced files — XREFs, custom fonts, plot style tables (CTB/STB files), and external images — to print correctly. If any referenced file is missing, the drawing prints incorrectly. PDF captures all of these elements at export time and is self-contained, ensuring what you see in the file is exactly what prints. It also allows our technicians to review the file precisely as it will appear before we run a single sheet.

How do I export a PDF from AutoCAD for large format printing?

In AutoCAD, use the PLOT command. Select a PDF plotter (DWG to PDF.pc3 or Microsoft Print to PDF). Set the paper size to match your intended print size (e.g., ARCH D 24×36). Set the plot scale to match your drawing scale — do not use Fit to Paper. For B&W printing, use a monochrome plot style (monochrome.ctb). Check Plot to File, name the file, and save. Verify the resulting PDF opens at the correct dimensions before uploading.

How do I export a PDF from Revit for blueprint printing?

In Revit, go to File > Print. Select Microsoft Print to PDF or another PDF printer. In Print Setup, verify the paper size matches your Revit sheet size (Revit sheet sizes correspond to ARCH and ANSI standards). Set Zoom to 100% — never use Fit to Page. Select the sheets to export and print to PDF. Open the resulting PDF to verify the sheet size and scale annotation are correct before uploading.

What happens if my file has a problem?

Every file uploaded to Azul Prints is reviewed by a real print technician before production. If we identify a scale mismatch, orientation issue, or other problem, we will contact you before printing. We do not print files we have concerns about — we reach out first. This review process is included at no extra cost and is part of every order.

Before You Upload

How to prepare your file
for blueprint printing.

We accept PDF files only. This guide shows you exactly how to export a print-ready PDF from AutoCAD, Revit, Bluebeam, and SketchUp — and what to check before you upload so your prints come out right the first time.

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📄

Accepted file format

We accept one format only. It's the format that ensures your drawings print exactly as designed.

✓ PDF — Accepted

✗ DWG, DXF, RVT, SKP, JPG, PNG — Not accepted

Pre-Flight Checklist

5 things to verify before uploading

Run through this list before you export. These are the most common issues our technicians catch — fixing them before upload means your order ships faster.

✅

Sheet size matches your intended print size

The PDF page size must match the print size you order. If you order ARCH D (24×36), the PDF page must be 24×36 inches. Do not set the page to letter size and rely on scaling — your drawing will print at the wrong size.

✅

Scale annotation is correct and matches the geometry

Your title block scale notation (e.g. 1/4"=1'-0") must match the actual drawn geometry. Verify by measuring a known dimension in the PDF — a 10-foot wall at 1/4"=1'-0" should measure 2.5 inches in the PDF.

✅

Orientation is correct

Open the exported PDF and confirm landscape vs portrait orientation is correct. Wide drawings should open in landscape (horizontal). An incorrectly oriented PDF will rotate your drawing 90 degrees on the printed sheet.

⚠️

Do not use "Fit to page" or "Scale to fit"

This option rescales your drawing to fill whatever paper size your printer defaults to — almost always letter or tabloid — destroying your drawing scale entirely. Always export at 100% / 1:1, never with any automatic scaling.

✅

File is a single multi-page PDF for multi-sheet sets

If your project has multiple sheets, combine them into a single multi-page PDF rather than uploading individual files per sheet. Multi-page PDFs make it easier for our technician to review your full set and ensure consistent print settings across all sheets.

Export Guides

Step-by-step for your software

Select your software below for a step-by-step PDF export walkthrough.

Open the Plot dialog

Type PLOT in the command line or go to File → Plot. The Plot dialog will open.

Select a PDF plotter

Under "Printer/Plotter", select DWG To PDF.pc3 (built into AutoCAD) or Microsoft Print to PDF. Either works — DWG To PDF gives you more control over output quality.

Set paper size to match your print

Under "Paper Size", select the ARCH or ANSI size that matches what you're ordering. For ARCH D select ARCH D (24.00 x 36.00 Inches). This must match your order exactly.

Set plot scale — never "Fit to Paper"

Under "Plot Scale", select 1:1 if plotting from a layout tab (paper space). If plotting from model space, enter the correct drawing scale. Never check "Fit to Paper."

Choose a plot style for color vs B&W

For B&W printing: select monochrome.ctb under Plot Style Table. For color printing: select acad.ctb or your color CTB. This controls whether line colors print as black or full color.

Export and verify

Check "Plot to File", name your PDF, and click OK. Open the resulting PDF and verify the page dimensions, scale, and orientation before uploading.

Go to File → Print

In Revit, navigate to File → Print or press Ctrl+P. The Print dialog will open.

Select a PDF printer

Under "Name", select Microsoft Print to PDF or Adobe PDF. Do not use a physical printer — you need a PDF file.

Select your sheets

Under "Print Range", select "Selected Views/Sheets" and choose the sheets you want to export. For multi-sheet sets, select all sheets and they'll export as a multi-page PDF.

Click "Setup" and verify paper size

In Print Setup, confirm the paper size matches your Revit sheet size. Revit sheet sizes align with ARCH and ANSI standards. Set Zoom to 100% — never "Fit to Page."

Export and verify

Click OK and save the PDF. Open it and confirm all sheets exported correctly with the right dimensions and orientation before uploading.

Open your file in Bluebeam Revu

If you're starting from a CAD file, use File → Create PDF from File. If you already have a PDF from another source, you can go directly to step 4.

Use the Bluebeam PDF printer from AutoCAD

If working with AutoCAD + Bluebeam, the Bluebeam PDF printer appears in the AutoCAD Plot dialog as Bluebeam PDF. Select it, set the correct paper size, and plot. This creates a Bluebeam-optimized PDF with vector lines.

Verify page size in Revu

In Bluebeam Revu, go to File → Properties to confirm the PDF page dimensions match your intended print size. The dimensions shown should match your ARCH or ANSI sheet size exactly.

Flatten markups before uploading

If your PDF has Bluebeam markups (comments, stamps, cloud markups), flatten them before uploading if you want them printed. Go to Document → Flatten. Unflattened markups may not print.

Use LayOut for dimensioned drawings

For dimensioned, to-scale construction documents, export from SketchUp's companion app LayOut rather than directly from SketchUp. SketchUp's direct PDF export is perspective-based and not suitable for scaled blueprint printing.

Set page size in LayOut

In LayOut, go to File → Document Setup → Paper. Set the page size to match your intended print — ARCH D is 24×36 inches. Confirm orientation (landscape for wide drawings).

Export to PDF from LayOut

Go to File → Export → PDF. Set output resolution to 300 DPI or higher. Export and verify the resulting PDF opens at the correct dimensions before uploading.

Find your software's PDF export or print-to-PDF function

Almost every design application has a built-in PDF export or supports printing to a PDF printer driver (Microsoft Print to PDF on Windows, Save as PDF on Mac). Use whichever is available in your software.

Set the page/paper size to match your print size

The PDF page dimensions must equal your intended print size. ARCH D = 24×36 inches, ARCH E = 36×48 inches, ANSI D = 22×34 inches. If your software doesn't list ARCH/ANSI sizes, enter the dimensions manually in inches.

Export at 100% — no scaling

Disable any "fit to page", "scale to fit", or automatic resizing options. Export or print at exactly 100%/1:1.

Verify the exported PDF

Open the PDF and check: correct page dimensions, correct orientation, scale annotation matches geometry. When in doubt, measure a known dimension in a PDF viewer that shows dimensions.

Quick Reference

Do this. Not that.

✓ Do This

Export as PDF from your CAD or design software
Set the PDF page size to match your print size exactly
Plot or export at 100% / 1:1 scale
Use monochrome plot style (CTB) for B&W prints
Verify the PDF opens at the correct dimensions
Combine multi-sheet sets into a single multi-page PDF
Check that scale annotations match the geometry
Confirm landscape/portrait orientation before uploading

✗ Don't Do This

Upload DWG, DXF, RVT, or any non-PDF format
Use "Fit to page" or "Scale to fit" when exporting
Upload a PDF created from a screenshot or photo scan
Set the page to letter size for a large-format print
Upload multiple separate files for a multi-sheet set
Rely on the printer to correct scale or orientation
Upload without verifying the exported PDF first
Assume your drawing scale is correct without checking

Common Questions

File preparation FAQ

What file format does Azul Prints accept?

PDF only. PDF reliably preserves line weights, dimensions, scale, and fonts regardless of what software created the drawing. All other formats — DWG, DXF, RVT, SKP, JPG, PNG, TIFF — must be exported to PDF before uploading.

Why don't you accept DWG or DXF files?

DWG files require the same AutoCAD version and all referenced files — XREFs, custom fonts, and plot style tables — to print correctly. If any referenced file is missing, the drawing prints incorrectly. PDF captures everything at export time and is self-contained. It also allows our technicians to review exactly what will print before we run a single sheet.

What if my file has a problem?

Every file is reviewed by a print technician before production. If we spot a scale mismatch, orientation issue, or other problem, we contact you before printing — not after. We never print a file we have concerns about without reaching out first. This review is included in every order at no extra cost.

How do I know if my PDF is the right size?

Open your PDF in Adobe Acrobat or Preview and check the document properties — it will show the page dimensions in inches. For ARCH D, you should see 24.00 × 36.00 inches. You can also use the measure tool to verify a known dimension in the drawing matches your scale annotation.

Can I upload multiple files for one order?

For multi-sheet sets, combine all sheets into a single multi-page PDF before uploading. This ensures consistent print settings across all sheets and simplifies our technician's review. Most CAD applications let you export all sheets to a single PDF in one step — refer to the export guide for your software above.

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How to prepare your filefor blueprint printing.

5 things to verify before uploading

Step-by-step for your software

Do this. Not that.

Every file reviewed before we print a single sheet

File preparation FAQ

Ready to upload?

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How to prepare your file
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